Marcy diving off Taveuni island

During this past summer, the St. Margaret's School sponsored me on an Earthwatch Expedition to Fiji. The purpose of my journey to Fiji was to do volunteer research and to obtain information for my students in Geography and Environmental Science. Once I reached Fiji and joined my research team, "Monitoring Fiji's Reefs," I knew that this country was unusually distinctive because of its culture and tropical ecosystems.

Earthwatch volunteer does a transect

I spent two weeks on the Dravuni island in the Kandavu Islands. This island had one small village and many beautiful beaches. The Kandavu Islands were encircled by the Great Astrolabe Reef. To study and to help save one of the last remaining pristine coral reefs was a chance of a life time. All of the Volunteers from Earthwatch stayed at the field station which is owned by the University of the South Pacific. From the building , one had a spectacular view of tropical blue water and of amazing sunsets with a green flash. The research team included seven team members and a leader.

Butterfly fish in the Great Astrolabe Reef

Twice a day we took a boat to our research site on the Great Astrolabe Reef to do our volunteer work. Once at the site, everyone suited up and dropped over the side of the boat. Everyone on the team had a purpose. One group observed butterfly fish, family Chaetodontidae, feeding behaviors. Where and what the fish ate was recorded for the species baronessa, citrinellus, trifascialis, and trifasciatus. My assignment was to identify and count the species of butterfly fish found at the three research sites. I observed 17 species which were auriga, baronessa, benetti, citrinellus, ephippium, lineolatus, lunula, melannotus, pelewensis, plebius, rafflesi, reticulatus, trifascialis, trifasciatus, uiliotensis, unimaculatus, and vagabundus.

On Dravuni sland, Marcy reflects on her Fijian experience

Our stay on the island of Dravuni, however, was not solely focused on research. I became involved in the activities of the village. Every evening was spent at the community center, and villagers welcomed us into their homes and church. We even enjoyed a week of wedding ceremonies. My stay on the island of Dravuni involved Fijians who shared everything and volunteers who were deeply interested in saving one of the last healthy coral reefs.

Marcy Denault - Faculty Profile

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