Amanda Quai Hoi’s passion for marine life conservation fueled her drive to pursue a career in the field of conservation.
As the Marine Biology Manager for the South Sea Cruises Group (SSCG), Ms Quai Hoi’s newly established department serves as a bridge between the profit-driven engine of tourism and the ecosystem that sustains it.
A 2019 Marine Science graduate from the University of the South Pacific, Ms Quai Hoi entered the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was the ‘Love Your Locals’ initiative that provided her first foothold in the industry with Captain Cook Cruises.
Today, with eight years in the sector, she sees tourism not just as a job, but as a platform for conservation.
“Most people see it as just an extra activity, I see it as a great platform for serving the wider community, which is the international and the locals as well,” she said.
An average day for her involves clocking in at Port Denarau. She boards the morning vessel to South Sea Island or Malamala and by 9am she is in her diving suit.
”We can spend around two to three hours out there per dive or say six hours in a day out there in the water.”
The work is rigorous and technical. A primary focus is the eradication of the Crown of Thorns starfish (COTS), a coral-eating pest currently plaguing the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups.
Using advanced research from the Great Barrier Reef, her team uses specialized equipment to inject the starfish with common household white vinegar.
”If we are doing it the wrong way, it could make the situation worse. They tend to stress spawn when we physically remove them.
“With the injection method, we have seen the numbers slowly move down, especially the adults.”
The department’s remit extends to the shoreline.
Ms Quai Hoi said the SSCG pioneered a waste management initiative on South Sea Island last week by partnering with Mission Pacific and Coca-Cola for a five-cent PET bottle and aluminum can recovery scheme.
“Given that we are a growing company and that we produce a lot of waste, we want to take up the initiative to redirect our recyclables to the proper facilities instead of just contributing to more pollution in the landfill.”
The company’s ‘Vinaka Fiji’ and ‘Solia Lesu’ programs further extend this reach into the hearts of local villages, providing everything from hospitality training and Curriculum vitae writing to a scholarship programme that currently supports ten students in tertiary education.
”The current project and then the department being established, that is the first step where South Sea Cruises Group is heading.”
Looking ahead, Ms Quai Hoi is hopeful for the return of nesting sea turtles.
“In the next 10 years, I see myself growing into a strong leader in marine conservation, not just within Fiji but across the Pacific. I aim to continue advancing sustainable tourism practices, strengthening conservation programs, and influencing how businesses integrate environmental responsibility into their operations.
“I also plan to further my studies overseas to gain advanced knowledge and global exposure that will support my long-term career growth.
“Through this, I hope to work at a level where I can help shape policies, mentor future marine scientists, and contribute to global efforts in protecting our oceans.
Following training with SPREP, she is establishing a turtle monitoring programme to turn South Sea Island into a sanctuary.
“Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that the work we do today creates a lasting impact for future generations, while showcasing Fiji as a leader in sustainable marine stewardship.”
