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While, yes, parrotfish are a key species to protect on reefs, they are also a major component of many subsistence fisheries throughout the pacific (not everyone has the luxury to be picky about the fish they catch or eat). The purpose of this video is to highlight the natural values of the offshore volcanic islands in Tonga. People wont protect what they don't value (or know about). Connecting people to these places will hopfully help empower authorities to make managment decisions such as species selectivity. Don't forget, even in places like Australia (where we are based) authorities can struggle to enact science based fisheries managment practices simply because of public opinion (ie: spanish mackerel). Just knowing something is best practice doesn't mean it is practicable.

Isn't she just the best!?

Soooo floppy. And surprisingly cooperative for the camera!

Thanks a lot!

Cheers Oli!

Thanks! Filmmaking is easy with such an incredible place to film in.

You would love it up there. So many endemics!

Glad you love the video! Although the island was a suprise for us, when we reached out to the the Tongan Geological Service, they had already known for months! haha.

We did a full check of the boat and didn't actually go very close to Late (I think that drone shot was the closest we actually came). We just ran a tender to drop off divers closer in. We have a few photos/ videos of the helicopter dropping bait if you'd like them. We were there at the same time 🤯

@@lacelidproductions337 wow that's great! I think I saw the yacht at that time too. If it is possible to share those pictures as well 😀

Shoot us an email contact@lacelidproductions.com.au and I can reply with some of the pictures. Or you might be able to get Pat's contact from the team at the Fisheries office in Vava'u.

Thanks! Really appreciate that!

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai in Jan 2022 was on one of the other islands slightly further south. Home Reef/Island has been a much slower eruption. But that whole area is super active. Incredible place. Was a privelidge to visit.

@@lacelidproductions337 when did this island actually formed ?

The Tonga Geological Service report says this Eruption started in September 2022. The Island started emerging then and was still growing when we arrived in August 2023. Not sure where it is up to now. Tonga Geological Service put up regular updates on all the activity in Tonga. Their youtube channel is worth following! They do awesome work.

I wish it was our boat! Very cool pace to visit

Lol

Not in such a volanicaly active place! Take the HTHH eruption ini 2021-2022. In december 2021 an eruption joined the 2 islands, then boom, no more island at the end of January. Home reef/ Island is a mush slower eruption, but can rise and fall 10's of meters in a matter of months

More likely it will subside again... But last we heard it was still above water!

They really are. And robots are too!

Thanks! Screening dates will be up on the website soon. :)

Hey Mate, we were careful not to critisize the dumping site. It was a major win for the island to get it shifted from the old site in cleveland bay to the reclaim site in the port. However, the dredging activity can still be seen in turbidity spikes on both data loggers on maggie (available online) and in aerial imagery. Despite the modern efforts to minimise dredge spoil, port activity and distubing the benthos does, and will continue to impact the fringing reefs of magnetic island. It is well documented. This piece would be incomplete without at least mentioning it.

@@lacelidproductions337 That’s fair enough, obviously any way you dredge, you will get some sort of turbidity. But the way they are currently doing it is the most costly and takes the longest but also in the best interest of the surrounding areas.. so you have to give the port some credit for going down that route. I was unaware that they were going to dump it at the old site though. Surely gbrmpa wouldn’t have let them do that anyway?