Navai At The Foot Of Mt Tomaniivi

Marine biologist Villame Waqalevu hails from the village of Nabouono, Macuata and shares maternal links to Navuso, Naitasiri.

He is one of the senior researchers at the world’s largest and expansive marine-life aquarium, SeaWorld, in Abu Dhabi.

Mr Waqalevu specialises in larval capture, identification, and aviculture of marine fish. His recent research involved studies on early marine larval development, digestive enzymes and metabolic processes in marine fish, live feed development for first feeding marine fish and various collaborative studies on coral reefs in the Asia and Pacific region.

Outside of his research work he loves watching and playing rugby. He played in Fiji (USP – SRU competition), Japan (Konan – Kyushu Club Top League; Rokko Fighting Bulls – Kansai League and national championships; Kobelco Steelers – twice pro team trialist only) and more recently now in UAE (Abu Dhabi Harlequins – UAE Premiership).

His philosophy is balance, try everything, prioritise and designate appropriate effort into each, fill our life with experiences and not things, have stories to tell and not stuff to show.

How many places have you visited around Fiji?

I have visited most places in Fiji for work, school field trips and for holidays.

The only places I have yet to visit in Fiji are the island groups of Yasawa and Lau.

Islands in the Lau Group

Story by: Sosiveta Korobiau

Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj