Mago Island, in the isolated northwest sector of the Northern Lau Group of islands in Fiji, was being advertised for sale by Colliers International at more than $21 million.

Gibson has been reported to have made an offer of around that figure.

The company said Mago had pristine ecology and varied terrain, fringed entirely by protective reefs, "powder white beaches" and "turquoise lagoons".

Dr. Mead was already in Fiji investigating the ocean resources of a nearby village when Gibson heard about his work and flew him by helicopter with his wife Robyn and son Chris to study Mago for two days.

Dr Mead, a small group of New Zealand engineers and an Auckland real estate agent stayed with Gibson's family in a private home on the island.

"They were a laid-back, normal Australian family. Mel's a nice guy, easy to talk to and interested in finding out about ecology," he said.

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