Sustainability Brochure

SUSTAINABILITY PROTECTION & PRESERVATION

ABOUT OUR

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

Sustainability extends beyond the present. It

The protection and preservation of our

is a promise to give back more than we take,

island, our community, and our oceans is of

to meet the needs of the present generation

paramount importance to us, and formulating

without compromising the future and to

a green strategy for long term success is the

consider the implications of our actions.

cornerstone of our island home.

While sustainable travel continues to gain

We hope that our passion for sustainability

momentum, Kokomo has built its foundation on

inspires you to consider what is most important

driving positive change in this area.

to you and how you can preserve and protect

S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

your environment for generations to come.

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OUR SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION

Leading our conservation efforts is Marine

Growing up in Fiji’s Garden Island, Viviana

Biologist Viviana Taubera. Supported by the

heralds her seaside upbringing for her

resort’s management team, she champions

fascination with the underwater world.

the resort’s vision for a sustainable future,

She joined Kokomo in 2017 as a nanny before

and has introduced a range of initiatives to

transitioning to the Marine Biology team in 2019.

preserve and protect our island, our community

Viviana’s experience collecting and analysing

and our ocean.

f isheries data has been invaluable to Kokomo’s coral restoration and marine conservation projects. Viviana is committed to creating more ocean conscious youth in our society and helping others understand the impact triggers

S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

around them.

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OUR

ISLAND The preservation of our island begins with how we treat the land on which the resort was built, and extends f rom the use of sustainable building materials, through to the treatment of waste product and investment in on-island recycling

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programs.

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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Renowned Australian property developer,

Hardwood cinnamon trees sourced f rom

Lang Walker AO, has lived and breathed place

nearby Mago Island (owned by Mel Gibson)

making for over 50 years. To bring to life his

were repurposed as furniture, locally sourced

vision of ‘an island paradise unlike any other’,

mahogany was used in the decks, windows,

required a true collaboration and fusion of

doors and louvres, while plantation pines

creative minds. A venture straight f rom the

were used in the roof trusses. In the villas,

hearts of the Walker family, Kokomo exemplif ies

woven matting and exposed beams are lashed

Walker’s commitment to cutting-edge design

together with magi magi, in the traditional

and industry-leading environmental standards.

Fijian fashion. Complementing the build, lead interior designer, Philip Garner was

Head Architect, Keith Lambert, worked

meticulous in the selection of materials and

alongside local architect; Conway Beg and local

textures used to furnish the resort. Garner chose

structural engineers; Vijay Krishnan Engineered

to avoid the use of metal, focusing instead

Designs, to ensure Kokomo succeeded in its

on repurposing recycled timber and using

intended vision, and delivered eff icient building

sustainable sourced cotton and linen for the

design that maximised the usable

upholstery.

and functional space. Along with ensuring S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

natural ventilation and energy eff iciency, the team was tasked with sourcing sustainable building materials; local plantation timbers and stone f rom surrounding islands, to unify traditional and contemporary design.

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FARM TO TABLE

In support of the farm to table movement and

At the resort’s three restaurants; Beach Shack,

global efforts to minimise waste production,

Walker D’Plank and Kokocabana, Kokomo’s

Kokomo tends a 5.5-acre (2.2-hectare) organic

chefs thoughtfully transform island grown and

farm, abounding with f resh seasonal produce.

locally source produce into delicious meals,

Vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and exotic

showcasing the best produce for each season.

f ruits are cultivated on the island, with a

FA R M TO UR

hydroponics garden supplying f resh lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, year round.

For an unforgettable experience, join a member

Our vanilla plantation allows the production

of Kokomo’s food and beverage team for a

of f resh vanilla beans for the pastry kitchen,

guided tour of our 5.5-acre farm. Visit our

whilst beyond the gardens, our beehives and

hydroponics garden and vanilla plantation.

hen house, provide a rich delectable honey

Learn about the mechanisms we have put in

and f ree range eggs for our guests to enjoy.

place for growing herbs, f ruits, and vegetables, as well as our practices for taking care of our

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resident bees and f ree-range chickens.

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WAST E RE D UCT IO N

S E AWAT E R D ESA L I N AT I ON

In all decisions, it is important for Kokomo to

We rely on f reshwater for our gardens, our

consider what efforts can be madeto reduce,

pools, our kitchens and our guests. While access

reuse and recycle. As all inorganic waste must

to f reshwater is challenging for many remote

be sent to the mainland, considerable effort is

communities, Kokomo has installed a Seawater

made onsite to reduce and sort waste in our

Desalination Plant to ensure ongoing access

recycling centre. Here, organic waste is put

to this precious natural resource. Seawater is

through a 5-week mulching process for use in

processed by the desalination plant, creating

the farm; food waste and recyclable materials

sea salt for use in our kitchen and spa, brine for

are turned to compost for use in the gardens,

use in our pools, and clean drinking water for

and glass materials are broken down for use in

use by our guests and staff. Independent f rom

concrete.

our Seawater Desalination Project, Kokomo uses storm water tanks and grey water to supply the

Looking to the future, we are committed

irrigation systems in our gardens and farm. 80%

to further reducing our reliance on plastic

of the water processed by the island is recycled,

materials. Straws and take-away containers

with the remaining 20% lost on drying beds.

S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

have already been replaced with reusable or biodegradable alternatives, with attention now turned to products supplied by our partners Fiji Water and Pure Fiji. Our intention is for guests to be able to ref ill their water bottles at stations throughout the resort, reducing reliance on one-use plastic bottles.

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OUR

COMMUNITY It is extremely important to Kokomo to continue to support our local communities, who are vulnerable to the effects of climate change and over tourism. Along with assisting local villages and schools with much needed supplies, our team are integral to their coastal protection and environmental management, as well as long term

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employment prospects.

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NA RIKOSO VIL L AG E

M A N G ROVE RE FO R ESTAT I ON

One of our neighbouring villages in need

Our Mangrove Reforestation project aims to

of protection is Narikoso village. Located

plant and restore mangroves, critical to coastal

30-minutes south of Kokomo, Narikoso

protection. Mangroves are salt tolerant plants

continues to be affected by rising sea levels.

that grow in tidal and riverine areas. Their highly

With the assistance of the Fijian Government,

biodiverse habitats create a unique environment

the village have already relocated twice. They

for an abundance of marine and f reshwater life.

are now aiming to build a natural sea wall f rom

Given mangroves are also f ive times greater at

mangroves to help protect their new location

sequestering carbon than rainforests, they are

f rom future coastal wave damage.

critical in combating climate change and the effects of excess carbon dioxide in the earth’s

Our team began transplanting mangroves in

atmosphere.

Narikoso village in July 2020, with mangroves f rom our Kokomo Mangrove Nursery. The

To assist with restoration efforts, our team

residents of Narikoso village were educated

collect mangrove seeds, which are grown in

on the importance of mangroves and locals of

a mangrove nursery on the island. The seeds

all ages, participated in transplanting these

will be ready for transplantation once they

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mangroves. To date we have transplanted more

have germinated, with well-established root

than 3,200 mangroves onto Narikoso’s shores.

systems more likely to survive and withstand wave action in tidal areas. Mangroves have been

VIL L AG E TO UR

proven to reduce wave action by more than

Guests have the opportunity to participate

90%, vital in protecting low-lying coastal villages

in planting and transplanting activities with

against cyclones and tsunamis.

the Kids Club and landscaping department, regularly assisting with watering, weeding and maintenance. By educating guests on the importance of mangroves, having them participate in planting activities, and helping protect local communities, this project raises environmental awareness while assisting in community development.

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DOCK TO DISH

In 2018, Kokomo launched the South Pacif ic

DO CK TO DISH E XPERIENCE

chapter of Dock to Dish, a community-

For the complete Dock to Dish experience,

supported sustainable f ishing venture,

head out with our Masterf isherman and learn

committed to restoring the relationship

f irst hand about sustainable f ishing methods

between seafood producers and consumers.

by catching f ish of the right size, in the right

An international network of small-scale

season and right species, whilst listening

f ishermen, marine biologists and sustainable

as stories are told about the way of life in

seafood advocates, Dock to Dish supports

traditional Fijian Villages. Bring your catch

the growth and development of small-scale

back to shore and have it transformed into a

f ishing communities, whilst prioritising f resh,

decadent meal by Kokomo’s culinary team. The

flavoursome seafood. The pioneering movement

ethical sourcing of seafood is reflected in how

is bringing sweeping reform to seafood supply

the produce is prepared, allowing your catch to

chains around the world.

be the hero of the dish.

For Kokomo, Dock to Dish enables our team to preserve important elements of the native

S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

culture, whilst furthering our commitment to an environmentally and culturally sustainable sourcing system.

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OUR

OCEAN Water is our most valuable resource, not only as a source of drinking water, but as home to the Great Astrolabe Reef and its countless inhabitants. We have invested signif icantly in coral restoration and marine preservation to ensure that the reefs surrounding Kokomo continue to

S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

thrive for generations to come.

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S ’ D L R OW E H T S I I D AP REVID ABUCS GNIDAEL . N O I TAS I N A G R O G N I N I A R T E H T R E D N U E V I D OT N R A E L S ’ O M OK OK F O E C N AD I U G . E R T N E C E V I D I D AP R ATS - 5

NO TA KE F IS HIN G ZO N E

By investing in a Seabin, Kokomo has provided

In recent decades, f ish biomass and coral cover

a platform for this project to raise awareness of ocean pollution among guests, local

on many tropical reefs, have been severely

communities and staff, and encouraged boat

depleted. While this decline may be associated

owners to consider their own impact. Our

with numerous factors, overf ishing has been a

S N O I TA C I F I T R E C I D AP

Seabin processes 25,000 litres of seawater per

primary driver. The aquatic reserves surrounding

hour, removing rubbish and micro plastics, and

Kokomo are flourishing, and in August 2018 we r u o y e c n e m m o c d n a y a d o t e s r u o c I D AP r u o y t r a tS t i s i V . e m o h r u o y f o t r o f m o c e h t m or f t n e n o p m o c g n i n r a e l - e s m ar g or p - g n i n r a e l e/ n o i t a c u d e/ m o c . i d a p .w w w // : s p t t h

f iltering out chemical pollutants such as oil. We

created a “No-Take Fishing Zone” around our

have a shared goal, cleaner oceans and a world

island home to preserve our waterways and to

without the need for Seabins.

ensure the longevity of these thriving reefs for years to come.

S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

R E K A M E L B B U B I D AP

s t s a i s u h t n e e v i d g n i d d u b d n a s t s e u g r e g n u o y r u o r oF s’I D AP r e f f o o t d e t h g i l e d s i o m ok oK , )s r a e y 9-8( n er d l i h c e c u d or t n i o t d e n g i s e D . m a r g or P r e k a m e l b b u B s e h c a e t m ar g orP r ek a m e l b b uB I D AP e h t , g n i v i d a b u c s o t t s r i f r i e h t e k a t o t w o h d n a s e l b b u b w o l b o t w o h n er d l i h c f o d n e e h t tA . l o o p a f o y t e f a s e h t n i ,r e t a w r e d n u s h t a er b , e t a c i f i t r e c I D AP a e v i e c er l l i w n er d l i h c l l a , m ar g or p e h t r ek a m e l b b uB d n a s r ek c i t s , l e w o t h c a e b a h t i w g n o l a .y oT r e t aW

Today, the company has installed 860 Seabins in over 50 countries. Kokomo installed the f irst

This 200 metre perimeter prohibits guests,

Seabin in Fiji.

staff and local villagers f rom f ishing within the area, preserving biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. This is the f irst step

S E A FO R AG IN G

toward our aim of making the waters an off icial

Foraging connects us to the source of our food

Marine Protected Area.

and to the rest of the natural world. It opens up new taste experiences, encouraging guests

S E A B IN

to explore and experiment with their food. In

In 2015, Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski

addition to promoting the sustainable use of f ish through our Dock to Dish program, our

founded Seabin Pty Ltd, a not-for-prof it G N I V I D A B U C S R E VO C S I D I D AP

s ’ o m o k oK f o e y e l u f h c t a w e h t r e d n u e v i d a b u c s o t n r a e L . e v i d er o h s a g n i r u d s r o t c u r t s n i e v i d d e c n e i r e p x e t s r i f e h t r o f r e t a w r e d n u g n i h t a er b f o l l i r h t e h t e c n e i r e p x E y a w a k l a w t ’ n o w u oy e l i hW . s l l i k s y ek g n i n r a e l t s l i h w , e m i t e h t s i e v iD a b u c S r e v o c s iD s’I D AP , n o i t a c i f i t r e c a h t i w n i d e t s er e t n i ) + s r a e y 0 1 ( s t s e u g r o f n o i t c u d or t n i t c e f r e p a b u c S r e v o c s i D r u o y r e t f A . f e er e s u o h s ’ o m o k oK g n i r o l p x e r e v iD r e t aW n e p O s’I D AP e b l l i w p e t s t x e n r u o y , e v iD

Executive Chef, Marine Biology Team and Health

organisation driven by a passion for the ocean

Practitioner are working together to identify

and a wish to combat ocean pollution using

seaweeds and sea greens that can be used for

science and technology. It started with the

consumption. Encouraging the use of these sea

simple thought that, “If we can have rubbish

vegetables promotes the sustainable use of our

bins on land then why not have them in the

marine resources and is another initiative aimed

water”.

at reducing carbon emissions f rom food miles.

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CO R A L RESTO R AT IO N

D IVE AG A IN ST D E B R I S

One of the greatest threats to coral reefs around

Project AWARE’s flagship citizenscience

the world is climate change by rising sea

program, Dive Against Debris®, empowers

temperatures. To ensure the reef surrounding

scuba divers to remove marine debris f rom the

Kokomo continues to thrive, we launched our

ocean and report data on the types, quantities,

Kokomo Coral Restoration Project in 2018.

and locations of materials collected. Since the

This project is being led by the Kokomo Marine

program’s launch in 2011, more than 86,000

Biology Team and Marine Department, and our

divers have participated in Dive Against Debris®

main goal is to increase the number of heat

in 120 countries around the world, reporting

resilient corals on our Kokomo house reef.

over 1.6 million pieces of trash.

The more heat resilient corals we have on our

In partnership with Project AWARE, Kokomo

house reef, the more likely the reef will survive

joined the Adopt a Dive Site® initiative, with

in years to come.

OUR NURSERY ST YLES

our marine team committing to monthly Dive

To date Kokomo has transplanted over 2,000

Against Debris® surveys in “Walker Restoration

corals back on to our house reef and has

Reef ”. The team perform regular reef clean-ups

increased our coral nurseries to hold over 3,000

and coral restoration activities to ensure our

corals per season. We have added 2 new coral

surrounding reef thrives and remains healthy.

nurseries to our eastern side and grow corals

Project AWARE is a registered nonprof it

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in 3 different styles of nursery.

organization working with volunteer scuba divers. With off ices in UK, US, and Australia,

CO R A L G A RD E NS

Project AWARE supports divers acting in their

Guests are encouraged to take part in all

own communities to protect the ocean, with a

stages of the restoration process. Working

focus on implementing lasting change in two

with our team they can learn how to identify

core areas: shark conservation and marine litter.

heat resilient corals, plant coral f ragments into one of our 7 coral nurseries, and learn how to transplant corals back on to the Kokomo house VERTICAL TREE NURSERIES These nurseries are great for

HORIZONTAL ROPE NURSERIES

CEMENT DISK NURSERIES

reef.

These nurseries are great for

growing corals at different

These nurseries are great for

growing encrusting and plate

depths in the water column.

growing large quantities of

corals that cannot grow on

branching corals all at once.

ropes.

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C L A M N URS ERY

TURTLE PROJ ECT

Giant clams (Tridacnidae) are the largest

In 2021, Kokomo launched a new collaborative

bivalve molluscs on earth and can weigh up to

project dedicated to the conservation of sea

200kg. Since 1996, the International Union for

turtles. Faced with a variety of threats; f ishing,

the Conservation of Nature have listed giant

pollution, coastal development and global

clams on their Red List of Threatened Animals,

warming, six of seven sea turtle species have

resulting f rom continued overharvesting.

become threatened with extinction.

To help protect and maintain Fiji’s giant

Working in collaboration with the University

clam population, Kokomo has started a clam

of the South Pacif ic and Dr Susanna Piovano,

nursery project. Working in collaboration with

Associate Professor at the School of Marine

the Fiji Ministry of Fisheries ‘Clam Hatchery

Studies, our team aims to monitor, preserve and

Conservation Program’, baby giant claims will be

protect turtle nesting sites on nearby islands. As

donated to Kokomo for protection, monitoring

well as uncovering information on the nesting

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and transplantation.

and foraging behaviours of Sea Turtles in Fiji

Juvenile and sub-adult clams will be housed

protecting, a key aspect of Dr Piovano’s research

in our nursery, where they’ll be scrubbed

includes training and educating locals and

weekly to remove excess algae and parasites.

establishing strong community rapports.

When they’ve grown big enough, they will be

As the f irst turtle data contributors in the

moved to Kokomo’s house reef and grouped

Kadavu region, we have already identif ied one

to promote spawning. Single clams sitting idle

hawksbill nest on Kokomo Private Island and

on the reef are unlikely to produce young, so

several others on nearby islands. Both Hawksbill

transplantation will focus on grouping and

and Green Turtles can be found year round on

clustering giant clams of the same species to

the house reef.

allow for fertilisation to occur.

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M A N TA

C O N S E R VAT I O N Extending for over 100km (62 miles), the Great Astrolabe Reef is brimming with an enormous variety of sea life, including the extraordinary reef manta rays (Mobula alf redi). These gentle giants have been threatened globally, by climate change and targeted f isheries. To help raise awareness and protect the Fijian manta population, Kokomo launched the Kokomo Manta Conservation Project’, encompassing a Manta Tagging Project, Manta Identif ication Work and an Adopt S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

a Manta Initiative, in collaboration with the Manta Project Fiji.

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A D OPT A M ANTA

PROJ ECT LE A DER

In collaboration with The Manta Project Fiji,

Luke Gordon is a Marine Biologist and

Kokomo launched an “Adopt a Manta Initiative”.

underwater photographer, best known for his

By ‘adopting’ a manta, guests are given the

role as Project Leader of the Manta Project Fiji.

opportunity to support global efforts to research

Having spent over f ive years working in Fiji

and protect these gentle giants. Guests will

on various marine conservation topics, Luke

have the opportunity to name their manta ray,

moved into a new role of Project Leader for the

and will receive bi-monthly updates on their

Manta Trust Fiji in 2018. He brings a wealth of

manta’s progress, where they have been sighted

experience in marine conservation f rom the

and any exciting news f rom our ongoing

Maldives, Ecuador and the Seychelles, where

research.

he was most recently involved in the Seychelles Manta Ray Project.

Working in conjunction with Kokomo Private Island and other resorts across Fiji, the Manta Trust is attempting to estimate the size of Fiji’s manta population and the movement of these S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

animals within and around the archipelago.

This will provide much-needed baseline data on the current state of the country’s resident population.

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M A N TA ID E N T I F I CAT I ON Since 2017, Kokomo has worked closely with The Manta Project Fiji, a not-forprof it organisation, dedicated to the research of manta rays. Together, we are working to estimate the size and movement of Fiji’s manta population within and around our archipelago, raising awareness of their conservation needs and the benef its of sustainable tourism.

When the collaboration f irst began, Kokomo relied on photo identif ication to help identify individual reef manta rays. By taking photographs of the spot S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

patterns on their bellies, our marine biologists have helped to identify over 140 manta rays for the Fiji database. Similar to a birthmark, these spot patterns are completely unique. During the season, guests will have the opportunity to

Since the collaboration began, we have helped increase the size of the Fiji database by more than 60%

snorkel with manta rays and to capture photographic images for identif ication.

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MA N TA TAGG I NG

SUSTA INA B LE INTER ACTIO NS

To further document the broad-scale movement

Snorkelling or diving with a manta ray is

patterns of reef manta rays, Kokomo has

an unforgettable experience and one that

deployed a network of acoustic and satellite

Kokomo hopes all guests will look forward to.

tags. Ground breaking for science and

Found year round at Kokomo’s many dive sites,

conservation, this is the f irst manta tagging

snorkelling encounters are most likely to occur

project in Fiji, and the f irst acoustic manta

between June and September. To ensure the

tagging project in the South Pacif ic.

experience is not detrimental to the manta

The tags are expected to help us gain a better

rays, Kokomo has partnered with The Manta

understanding of hot spot areas mantas use in

Trust to implement guidelines on How to Swim

the greater Fiji area, providing guidance on how

with Manta Rays. Our f ramework ensures that

we can better monitor and protect these areas.

all guests understand how to behave in-water, enhancing the experience for everyone involved.

CYCLO N E F EEDI NG Cyclone feeding is a group foraging behaviour of Manta rays whereby the Mantas move in a vortex like pattern as it is the most eff icient way to eat such a density of plankton.

This is a very rare foraging activity and has only been observed around Kokomo in Fiji.

S U STA I N A B I L I TY | PR EVE N T I O N & PR OT ECT I O N

Cyclone feeding can reach up to hundreds in other parts of the world.

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