Issue 45 - December 2018
All-Female Professional Crew Announces Campaign for Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Ocean Respect Racing, Wild Oats X – 11th Hour Racing, Photo by Salty Dingo 2018
In a bid to encourage stronger female representation in Australian sailing, and to promote ocean health and sustainability, the first all-female professional crew to enter the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has announced its campaign to win the coveted Tattersall Cup in Hobart.
The 13-strong crew, led by Skipper Stacey Jackson, will race under the team name Ocean Respect Racing, in partnership with 11th Hour Racing, an organization that promotes sustainability through sport. The team name expresses the message this outstanding group of sailors will spread throughout the sailing community in Australia, inspiring fellow competitors, event organizers, and supporters to protect the ocean. Sailing on the 66 footer Wild Oats X, the crew is a serious contender in the race, with a combined experience of 68 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Races and 17 Volvo Ocean Races.
Stacey Jackson, Skipper and Founder of Ocean Respect Racing noted:
“Sailing with a fully professional, all-female crew to Hobart is a wonderful opportunity and we are proud to build on the work of non-professional female crews who have previously raced. We are excited to promote and encourage women in the sport and engage with the Australian public on ocean health issues that are affecting us daily, both locally and globally. We are working with environmental organizations, as well as local yacht clubs, to further educate ourselves, be proactive in mitigating our impact on the ocean, and inspire our fans and communities to become ocean stewards.”
Since 2010, 11th Hour Racing has harnessed the power of sport for positive change with an innovative approach, establishing strategic partnerships within the sailing and maritime communities. These include the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race and a team in the 35th America’s Cup, along with giving more than 80 grants to not-for-profit organizations throughout the world, and engaging professional sailors as global ambassadors.
Rob MacMillan, Co-Founder of 11th Hour Racing, noted:
“We are thrilled to continue our work with Stacey Jackson in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, building on her legacy with Vestas 11th Hour Racing and the Volvo Ocean Race. Stacey is a keen advocate for ocean health, which she demonstrates daily as a professional sailor and as a business owner. The opportunity to work with an all-star female team in this iconic offshore race is a great platform to raise awareness, and act, on the global issue of plastic pollution. We are very proud to support the legacy that Stacey and her team are going to build in her home country.”
Ocean Respect Racing will promote the UN Environment’s Clean Seas campaign, a grantee of 11th Hour Racing, growing the momentum of Australia’s recent commitment to the campaign to reduce ocean plastics.
Sandy Oatley, whose family owns Wild Oats X and Wild Oats XI, noted:
“Sailing is a sport that my family is incredibly passionate about and we were delighted to agree to contribute Wild Oats X to Stacey’s campaign at Hamilton Island Race Week. We are looking forward to seeing both Wild Oats XI and Wild Oats X on the starting line for what is expected to be a strong race.”
Ocean Respect Racing’s crusade to Hobart became a reality when Sandy Oatley gifted Stacey Jackson the use of Wild Oats X for the race on behalf of the Oatley family. Wild Oats X is the sister ship to supermaxi Wild Oats XI, which has been decorated with line honors in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race a record-breaking eight times.
Working closely with Stacey Jackson as Ambassador for the team is Hon. Julie Bishop, former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Australia’s first female Foreign Minister.
“I am delighted to be the ambassador for Ocean Respect Racing. This historic initiative will set the benchmark for female participation in sailing in Australia, and Stacey’s team comprises some of the most capable sailors. Importantly, I am looking forward to working closely with the team and the UN Environment’s Clean Seas campaign to promote the importance of ocean health and sustainability in Australia. I hope that their sporting endeavors will inspire women and girls around the world,” commented Ms. Bishop.
The Ocean Respect Racing team will make its debut at the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on December 11th in Sydney Harbour. The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will start on December 26th.
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Conservation Photography
Hairy Frogfish – Lembeh Indonesia: Jack’s December 2018 Underwater Photography Feature
This is the hairy looking beast is the striated frogfish and you’re not gonna believe how it catches it’s food.
Why do they call it the hairy frogfish?
The fish is a terrible swimmer and does more “walking” due to the design of their side fins which actually have joints like toes. And much like frogs, the frogfish will attempt to stuff any creature into their over sized mouths.
Their body is covered in 1,000’s of fleshy spines that looks just like… you guessed it… hair. These hair like body extensions are called spinules and help the frogfish to blend into coral, sponges and sea weed. These unique “hairs” can also change color to match their surroundings, making this fish extremely difficult to spot on the ocean floor.
You can find this crafty creature in oceans all over the world hanging out near sandy bottoms, by coral reef, sponges, or hiding in trash and debris.
Did you know that when the frogfish is in a favorable spot for hunting that it will stay in the same position on the ocean floor for weeks at a time.
So how does it catch it’s prey?
The frogfish is known as an angler fish. They have a special adaptation on the top of their head that hangs out in front of it’s face like fishing lure. This can sometimes look a shrimp or a small fish that dangles and attracts unsuspecting prey. The camouflaged frogfish will wait til it’s victim gets close enough and then BAM! strike with lightening speed so fast, that’s it’s unseen by the human eye.
Here’s another surprising fact. Frogfish are also cannibals, meaning they eat their own kind. Males have been known to kill and eat a female frogfish if she stays too close after mating.
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Conservation Photography
Under the Waves with Karim Iliya for December 2018
This month’s feature:
In Vava’u Tonga, Humpback whales battle and race during a heat run, a mating competition led by a female in the front, where male humpbacks can often battle for hours. The fastest, smartest, strongest, most determined whale usually win.
Karim was published in National Geographic magazine for his humpback whale photography. He now leads his own trips so that others can swim with whales.
If you are interested in swimming with or photographing humpback whales, Karim guides people in small trips between August and October every year in Tonga. Visit www.dancewithwhales.com to find out more
To see more of Karim’s work, visit his website at www.karimphotography.com
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Issue 45 - December 2018
SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – December 2018 – Issue 44
To elevate both the work and voices of women in the aquatic sector, the Women’s Aquatic Network (WAN) and SEVENSEAS Media have teamed up to bring you a special December edition of SEVENSEAS Magazine. This issue highlights women working in aquatic fields worldwide, featuring stories about what inspired them, how they built their careers, what they are working on, and what they have learned through the years. These stories demonstrate how women have grown over time as scientists, policy-makers, and innovators, as well as current trends in the aquatic sector. While focusing on not only women in 2018, but also the past, this edition is part of a larger effort to recognize women’s contributions to the field. Both SEVENSEAS Media and WAN are committed to an equitable future for our waterways that grows the roles of and impact made by women. Cover photo by Claire Fackler, NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries.
Remove 5 pounds of ocean plastic and support a coastal community
SEVENSEAS Media has been working with communities throughout Thailand to implement innovative approaches on waste reduction, recycling, and more responsible management of marine resources. With every $30 donation you will remove 5 pounds of plastic. Read more…
Lonely Whale Leads NextWave in Radical Collaboration
Originated by Dell Inc. and led by managing director Lonely Whale, a consortium of technology and consumer-focused companies are developing a commercial-scale ocean-bound plastics supply chain. Read more…
Worst case scenario for wild caught marine mammals awaiting shipment to amusement parks in China.
“Marine parks” opening across China are displaying a disgraceful demand for sea life to fill their tanks. As the rest of the world turns away from confining large animals in unnatural habitats for entertainment, China reverses that trend. 872 cetaceans are already captive in China’s parks with hundreds more expected to arrive within the next two years. Read more…
Under the Waves with Karim Iliya for December 2018
Humpback whales battle and race during a heat run. Read more…
Why the Women Around You Are the Network You Need
While many networking organizations are heavily targeted toward early career professionals, WAN develops events for every career level. The organization considers the challenges… Read more…
Close Enough? Photography feature by Ewan Wilson
Everyone who works with animals likes the odd close encounter, but Tony is a man who has more than most would ever want. See more…
A Woman, a Vision, a Network: The Rise of WAN in Washington and the Importance of Women in Marine and Coastal Affairs
The engagement of women in marine and coastal affairs, particularly in leadership positions, is growing year after year. With the extraordinary camaraderie within this field, it is easy to forget that this wasn’t always the case. Read more..
From Wrecked Reefs to Ocean Optimism
Some scientists have research trajectories that are relatively linear, but spending your career under water nearly guarantees that natural events will shape your interests. Read more…
SmallScaleOA: A Win-Win for Academia, Industry, Community, and Conservation
My passion has been, and always will be, ocean conservation. Seafood is my focus. This has driven me to seek sustainable solutions for fisheries like kick-starting an innovative social venture: SmallScaleOA. Read more…
TRIP: Go Deeper with a Marine Biologist as Your Dive Buddy at Marine Megafauna Foundation
On these adventurous expedition for advanced divers, you’ll explore the southern coast of Mozambique, one of the world’s most sought-after diving locations, and visit sites not open to the public. Read more…
Freediving in Dominica
I think the question every freediver gets asked at least once is “what do you think when you are down there?”. The first answer is “nothing”. But then I realize that’s actually “everything.” Read more…
Action Point #4: Healthy Ocean, Healthy Business
Never before has the topic of healthy marine environment been under the global spotlight to the extent it is today. With increasing reports of marine plastic pollution, habitat destruction, overfishing and the effects of climate change, it can seem our oceans are anything but healthy. But what is the true value of a healthy ocean and why is it so important we strive to protect them? Read more…
Interested in advertising, contributing an article, or becoming a donor?
43 Issues, readership in 174 countries, 20,000 subscribers, over 20,000 monthly visitors…and growing. Read more…
Note from the editor: Original cover art for December can be seen here. It was replaced in response to concerns of some readers who felt the image used of a freediver did not effectively describe women in conservation.
Lessons About Hope from the Seas in the Coral Triangle
So many people ask me, “Is there any hope for the seas?” I tell them “Yes” and often I tell a story about a sea nomad named Enci Wahab and how I learned about hope through meeting him. Read more…
Becoming a Miami Waterkeeper
As a millennial, navigating my way in this world and understanding how I wanted to make a difference often seemed very black and white. I either had to choose a creative brain or a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) brain. Read more…
Toxic Algae Blooms
Losses due to toxic algal blooms are reported to be in excess of $82 million to all associated marine industries, not to mention associated illness in humans due to airborne toxins and the consumption of toxic shellfish that have consumed toxic algae. Read more…
Diving Dreams and Solo Travel
As someone who has always been interested in working in the marine environment, I can attest to it helping in my career. When it came time years later to conduct baseline marine protected area data in Micronesia… Read more…
Chandelier Cave, Palau: Jack’s November 2018 Underwater Photography Feature
This is the hairy looking beast is the striated frogfish and you’re not gonna believe how it catches it’s food. Why do they call it the hairy frogfish? Read more…
All-Female Professional Crew Announces Campaign for Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
In a bid to encourage stronger female representation in Australian sailing, and to promote ocean health and sustainability, the first all-female professional crew to enter the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has announced its campaign to win the coveted Tattersall Cup in Hobart. Read more…
ECO-TRAVEL DEALS
Below are a few of our favorite tour centers and operators. Be sure to mention SEVENSEAS Media for special rates and discounts when making your inquiry.
A selection of expeditions and volunteer vacations for our travellers that will further the mission to conserve marine wildlife and habitats.
Alelí Tours is a small-scale ecotourism business located in La Parguera, southwest Puerto Rico.
Isla Mar Research Expeditions – Field Courses in Puerto Rico
A field course coordination company in Puerto Rico that specializes in organizing and hosting island ecology (marine/terrestrial) themed courses.
We visit traditional sights but focus on markets, street art, and local food. All camera forward and environmentally sensitive.
Pangaea Ocean Sailing Expedition
Panex is opening up sailing expeditions for guest crew. This is an unique opportunity to go sailing, cross an ocean, and be a part of something bigger.
…protect endangered turtles throughout Latin America and the world by supporting community-based conservation efforts through ecotourism, education, and Billion Baby Turtles.
A personal favorite from SEVENSEAS Media. Go to Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Sibuan, Mantabuan, Mataking, and more.
Ever dream of swimming with humpback whales? Now you can.
If you are interested in swimming with or photographing humpback whales Karim guides…
Imagine roaming some of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems. Gorgeous vistas, affordable travel and amazing memories; immersing yourself in the sounds of nature.
We offer unique, small group expeditions for travelers and photographers to remote and pristine destinations and cultures around the world.
The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List
Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.
To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here.
Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.
Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.
If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.
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