The Waisalima Beach Resort & Dive Centre is dedicated to the conservation of the environment, with the utmost interest on the protection of Reefs. Waisalima is situated on the Great Astrolabe Reef of Kadavu Island, the world's second largest living organism. The resort has helped to create and involve itself in the Astrolabe Reef Marine Reserve, and has dedicated itself to promoting and practicing conservation efforts.
The World Wildlife Fund for nature has granted financial and scientific support for Waisalima to conduct a marine studies program, which involves educating the school children and village people for protection of this coral reef ecosystem.
The resort has initiated the first ever crown of thorns starfish removal program in the marine reserve, plus the banning of netting and spearfishing in the Reef system fronting the resort.
Waisalima offers it's guests a chance to partake and view this conservation effort. It offers guided diving excursions throughout the Reef, which focuses on learning about the Reef, maintenance of the Reef, what is destroying it, and how to help conserve it.
Besides offering visitors a chance to observe and even contribute to the conservation of the Reef, the resort also practices other conservation methods, which include using water solely from a mountain spring, and using all locally produced food that is free of pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and antibiotics.
On 21 June 2001, Waisalima held an environmental meeting attended by the ministers for tourism, fisheries, and environment. The purpose of this conference was for all to voice their concerns for the protection and salvation of the reef system, and to develop plans on how go about conservation methods.
The meeting went over a success. Besides the ministers of tourism, fisheries, and environment, many Chiefs of local Kadavu and Ono Island tribes, local fisherman, business people, and village leaders were in attendance. They were appointed tot he Chief's provincial council, and two new marine reserves were established, one being the in the front area of the resort. Greenpeace developed a film on it, and wants Waisalima's divemaster to front a special that will be filmed in Germany in July. A grant application has been submitted for their new Reef Conservation Project, and Waisalima has high hopes that this grant will be fulfilled.
Information provided in this section can be attributed to the following;
Russell Thornley, Manager/Owner