Viti Leucas Society
Our Board of Trustees is aptly named the ‘Viti Leucas Society’. Viti is the indigenous name for ‘Fiji’ and ‘Leucas’ is the second half of the latin name of the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas). We owe our existence to the charismatic bull shark, and as such we pay homage to this iconic species.
Trustee
Mike ‘Da Shark’ Neumann is a key figure in shark conservation efforts in Fiji. He is the Principal Director of Beqa Adventure Divers (BAD) and has been instrumental in the establishment and management of the Shark Reef Marine Reserve (SRMR), which became Fiji’s first National Marine Park in 2014. Neumann has been involved in shark diving and conservation for over two decades collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme, The Joint Fund for Coral Reefs, WWF and many others.
Mike has worked closely with Dr. Juerg Brunnschweiler, to conduct scientific studies on the visiting bull shark population in the SRMR. These studies have led to dozens of contributing significantly to the understanding of bull shark behavior and ecology. His dedication to shark conservation has made a notable impact in Fiji and helped bolster the country’s reputation as a leading destination for shark diving and conservation.
Trustee
Andrew Cumming has a deep passion for the underwater world and has been involved with and/or managing some of the most prominent conservation minded dive shops for over twenty years. An experienced PADI Instructor, Andrew’s first introduction to sharks was at Walker’s Cay in the Bahamas, where he assisted scientists in their research efforts and on production end of documentary films.
Trustee
Natasha D. Marosi is the Director of Conservation for Beqa Adventure Divers (BAD), a shark conservation group and eco-tourism dive operator. Marosi is known for her work in challenging preconceptions about bull sharks. Her efforts include the creation of the “My Fiji Shark” adoption program, which educates people about shark personalities and life histories while supporting conservation projects in Fiji. She works very closely with the Ministry of Fisheries, UNDP and others to implement conservation measures protecting Fiji’s elasmobranch populations.
Currently, Marosi is conducting her PhD research at the University of Exeter, focusing on the social behavior of bull sharks.
Her work has been recognized globally, and she continues to be a prominent figure in shark conservation efforts in Fiji
adopt A Shark
Support our research, education and conservation efforts by adopting a shark from the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, Fiji.