Friday, April 04, 2014

Ten Years of BADness!

Quick&dirty, more pics tomorrow.
Standing, l-r:  Silio, Wase, Ana, Ben, Nani, Tuma, Manoa, Salesh, Mavoa, Tumbee, Andrew; front: Jone, Jone, Api, Aceni. Absent are Netani, Rusi and Miti..

Who would have thought.

Yes today's the day.
Exactly ten years ago, we formally established the SRMR and started operations - first under a different name and about 6 months later, as Beqa Adventure Divers. Lemme tell 'ya, it has been a wild ride - but not now, maybe I'll once write the book.

Now, it's time to say thank you.
First and foremost to our wonderful staff - especially to Nani, Manasa and Rusi for having taken that huge leap of faith in 2004, and for having loyally persevered until this day. Having Tuma's and Rusis' sons, Tumbee and Mavoa follow the footsteps of their fathers fills me with pride and joy.
To the company's founder James who invested all his money into this crazy dream. To Andrew who has tirelessly worked to turn it into what it is now, one of the foremost Shark diving operations. To the village of Galoa for entrusting us with the stewardship of their reef. To the department of Fisheries and especially, Bati, for always being supportive. To Gary and Brenda for invaluable advice and unwavering friendship and loyalty. To Juerg, for being the best scientific adviser and friend one could ever wish for.
And to you, the thousands upon thousands of visitors that have helped us to turn into reality our vision of a tourism-based integrated Shark research and conservation project.

Thank you!

7 comments:

the ocean bucket list said...

Congratulations on your anniversary

All the best for the next 10 years!

Cheers
Daniel

Shark Diver said...

Congratulations!!!

jsd said...

I have heard quite a few positive things about your set up over the years. If 1/2 of them are true then you must have at least the second best shark dive in the world.

Here's to the next 10 years. And that includes 10 more years of well-informed and fearless blogging...

Pauline & Logan said...

Excellent work,the relationship your staff have with the environment, each other and of course the sharks is uniquely respectful.All the best for the next decade.

Lindsay L. Graff said...

I feel so blessed to have been able to have spent parts of the last three years with such an amazing group of dedicated professionals and shark lovers. Congratulations on the last ten years and here's to another ten years filled with more inspirational and passionate shark work in Fiji.

DaShark said...

Thank you, Thank you... we'll be here all week!

Karen Stone said...

Congratulations! x