Issue 111 - August 2024
Sustainable Adventures: A Manifesto for The Modern Traveller

Let’s face it, the oceans are in a state! Coral beachings are becoming very common. We are losing species right, left and center. Just when we discover something brand new and interesting; oil companies announce plans to start bottom trawling. And what are we doing about it? Well, I for one, am going on vacation. It sometimes seems like it’s a race against some scary ominous clock to see all the beauty the oceans have before it’s too late. I feel that now is the time to do our best for the oceans as well as bear witness to what, perhaps, won’t exist in a few years time.
I’m sure all of us have considered our impact on the planet; our carbon footprint, as it is called. After I became an uncle, I realized that a lot of the decisions I make nowadays will have a direct impact on how my niece and nephews live in the very near future. Since I’m not a totally horrible uncle and don’t want those kids sipping their breathable air from canisters sold at Target; I decided change was necessary. I started looking at ways I could prevent the looming catastrophe coming our way. After I made as many changes as I could to my daily life; my mind turned to tourism and how my interactions with the other countries were either helping or hindering.
As diving and freediving started becoming the “Hallmarks” of my vacations. I plan all my vacations now around those activities. It became increasingly clear that there is a very large scale of difference between tours and tour operators who are doing horrible damage to the oceans and their inhabitants and those who are doing things right. But, I will admit, it is terrible work trying to tell the difference when booking these tours. Thus, I have compiled my first ‘list article’ with a few tips and tricks to help you pick the right tours and more importantly the right operators to do the job. Operators that are dedicated to giving you the best possible experiences whilst doing as little damage to the local environment as possible. No one rule is absolute and ultimately its a “crapshoot”. With some good research, however, you can align yourself with those who are out to do good in the world.

- It’s Probably Gonna’ Cost You
This one kinda sucks and I hate to say it, but usually, it’s going to be more expensive. Consider whale watching tours or ‘swim with the whale tours’. If you get the tour for cheap it usually means that you’re going to be on a boat with many, many other tourists. All of whom will be vying for a close-up experience with the wildlife. Tour operators will be under pressure to supply that to the masses. Meaning, they will do whatever it takes to get as many people as close as possible to the whale even if it means jumping into the water practically on the whale’s head. We also see this where animals are fed to keep them in an area so that tourists can come year-round to have this close-up experience. Think of the Whale Sharks in The Philippines. Now this is a bit of a heated debate. These sharks may be fed and kept as a tourist attraction, which keeps these sharks valuable and therefore don’t end up in shark fin soup. This is an important point but one must agree that safety and care of the animal, oftentimes, goes out the window when tourist dollars are flashed. However, some tours can almost guarantee you an encounter with the Whale Sharks and they can be seen in their natural environment happy as a shark can be. It’s just pricy
2. Use Diving Forums (but at your own risk)
If you’ve read any of my other articles you know that I’m not the biggest fan of these diving forums. I mean, I have used them successfully on many occasions but you must steady yourself for some serious abuse. I don’t know why we can’t get along but as the sensational Oscar Wilde said ‘Give a man a mask and he’ll tell you the truth’. However in this case their truth is just to badmouth you and slap each other on the butts over some ice dive. I remember I got a little too enthusiastic after some Shark Podcast I was listening to and immediately messaged one such group on Facebook about where I could dive with White Sharks (outside the cage). Well, it probably would have been a more comfortable experience to post about Scientology on the Vatican’s Facebook chat! I was very quickly told where to go by several gentlemen members brandishing their Shearwaters. And I don’t mean where to dive with White Sharks! If, however, you can deal with the comments, misogyny, and stupidity; you occasionally get to meet someone knowledgeable and willing to help. I met a gentleman who ran an ocean conservation group and he was very happy to help me out. I’ve asked his opinion on several trips afterwards and he’s always provided me with excellent advice. Sometimes you win.
3. Talk to Locals and Ask Questions
Talking to locals and asking questions are generally good rules of thumb for travel. I find the more you talk to people and the more questions you ask; the more you get a feel for a situation. Let’s say you’re planning a trip to dive in Mexico. If you’re in a popular dive spot like La Paz, ask around to anyone with whom you interact and see if you can get insider info. Ask at the hotel where you’re booking or Airbnb. If you book a car, ask the driver. I’ve never met someone who doesn’t like to give their opinion and you never know what you can unearth. I’ve come up with countless good restaurants or ‘off the beaten path’ places to explore and you never know who will have a cousin working at some dive shop or tour operator who is just the person with whom you’re looking to travel.
4. Build Your Network
As I said, really don’t be nervous about asking questions and creating connections. Now I’m the type of person who will talk to the floor (if there’s no other option) but the more like-minded people you meet the easier it is moving forward. This happens all the time in life. One person introduces you to someone else, that person introduces you to their friend – who knows this guy etc. My dive Aunty Lady put me in touch with her friend who was some random photographer to me. Her bestie was this guy who did Ocean Safaris around Cabo. The second I spoke to him I knew I wanted to dive with him. He was very, very turned on. Sadly, due to time restraints, I wasn’t able to book with him, but I’ve given his number to several people and I will definitely use it again in the future.

5. Follow the Likes
“Like begets like”, they say. Well, it’s true. Get on Instagram and start looking up agencies where you want to go. Start paying attention to who is following whom, because you’ll get a very good idea of what people are connected to what people. If you are impressed with one person’s work and they are, even remotely, connected to another person, then chances are good they’ll both be doing things the way they should be done; sustainably. Look if Paul Nicklen follows someone I think I might want to contact, you can put your money down that I am going to trust him. The diving world isn’t so big that when the cream rises to the top it isn’t noticed. Social media is a powerful tool for weeding out the bad.
6.. Always Do an Interview
I highly recommend always doing a video call (they may be hot) or at least a telephone call, before you purchase. The number of times I’ve tried to decide between tour operators only to have the decision very quickly made in three seconds after speaking with one. I feel you get a much better sense of someone face-to-face. Also, if they take the time to have a conversation it shows how dedicated they are and that translates to their work. I should mention by “conversation”, I mean, with the actual tour leader not reception. This is especially relevant if you’re going to be spending a few days with this person. You want to get an idea of who they are. There is nothing worse than being stuck on a boat with someone with whom you cannot talk or who is racist or something equally offensive. Oh yes, that’s happened!
7. If It’s Too Good to be True. It may well be.
Be aware, be very aware of anyone who you feel over promises. I always first ask ‘What are the chances we will have an encounter with…’ ( for example, Manta Rays or whichever species I’m looking to hang out with) and I always gauge their response, and get a bit nervous when things sound too good to be true. Even if you know there’s a 90 % chance of seeing Manta Rays on the tour you’re about to take, the operator should always harbour expectations, citing these are wild animals blah blah. If they don’t, then it could be a sign that something isn’t right. I mean, if you’re visiting the Sea Lion colonies of La Paz then there are always Sea Lions, they don’t go anywhere. But even then guides should be modest in how they approach the subject, as often has been the case, those claiming wonderful things. In the end, they fall short of providing these experiences.
8. Go With Your Gut
Ultimately if you’ve done your research just go with your gut. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose but that’s all part of the fun when it comes to ocean exploration. Sadly, you never know until you’re there that you’ve made a mistake but even then it’s all part of the adventure.
None of these rules are a sure thing but I feel that if we all tried a little harder to support the many people who make their living through ocean tourism, and who are dedicated to the oceans and keeping their inhabitants safe; we can start to steer tourism towards the right people. Thus letting the companies who are happy to cause damage instead of making a few extra dollars, fall into non-existence or force them to do things correctly. They say the power lies in the consumer’s dollar and I believe that. Put your money towards adventure and ensure these adventures last for decades to come.

About Mark Scodellaro
Neo hippie, yoga non-guru, and man of mystery. Avid traveller but only recently started writing about it. Yoga enthusiast, activist, and teacher in Bangkok. Loving father of four fur babies.
More Travel Stories from Mark
- The Tao Of Drift Diving
- North Korea Trip
- Afghanistan Trip
- Uzbekistan Trip
- The Omo Valley Ethiopia
- Volunteer Reef Cleanup for SEVENSEAS Media at Koh Tao Thailand
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Feature Destination
SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – August 2024 – Issue 111

New Round of MSC Funding Supports Research to Help Fisheries Safeguard Stocks & Minimize Impact on Wildlife
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) today announced 32 new grants through its Ocean Stewardship Fund (OSF) supporting projects from India, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua and Peru. Read more…
Gondwana Ecotours Announces ‘Solar Maximum’ Alaska Northern Lights Adventure

Gondwana Ecotours is excited to announce an eight-day “Alaska Northern Lights Adventure.” Guests will get a dose of local culture by day and photograph the Aurora Borealis under the massive Alaskan sky by night. See more…
Malaysia Leads the Charge on Trending Durian Tourism with Newly Announced Travel Experiences
Tourism Malaysia has unveiled various tourism packages that spotlight the destination’s famous fruit: the durian, also known as the “King of Fruits.” The new publication, “Durian Tourism Packages 2024/2025. Read more…
Forget the Beach: These Cities Are Too Hot to Handle

The planet is heating up at an alarming rate, and the consequences are becoming increasingly apparent. Once-popular tourist destinations are now grappling with extreme heat conditions that are pushing the limits of human endurance. Dubai, a city synonymous with luxury and excess, has transformed into a heat-baked metropolis. Read more…
The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) Call for Coral Reef Data
The GCRMN was established by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in 1995 to monitor the condition of the world’s coral reefs. The GCRMN has published an extensive range of global, regional, and thematic reports on coral reef status and trends. See more…
Sustainable Adventures: A Manifesto for The Modern Traveller
Let’s face it, the oceans are in a state! Coral beachings are becoming very common. We are losing species right, left, and center. Just when we discover something brand new and interesting; oil companies announce plans to start bottom trawling. Read more…
Feature Destination: Looking for A Different Experience Around Komodo National Park? Visit These 7 Epic Gems in Flores

Located within the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Komodo National Park, Indonesia, is the jewel in the crown of Labuan Bajo, Flores. Fly into the Komodo Airport which offers direct flights connecting various Indonesian cities, including Jakarta and Denpasar, to Labuan Bajo. Read more….
Uncover Maumere’s Hidden Gems: Diving, Hiking, & Heritage
Capital of Sikka Regency on the northeastern coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara Province, the city of Maumere is the perfect staging place to embark on your unforgettable adventure to explore the exciting beauty of Flores. Read more…
Flores Island’s Cultural Treasure: The Penti Rituals of Wae Rebo
Flores Island, an Indonesian treasure, boasts the sacred Penti rituals in Wae Rebo village, a vibrant testament to the island’s rich heritage and intrinsic connection to nature. Every November, the Manggarai people converge to celebrate Penti. Read more…
Try These Ways to Savor the Great Outdoors in Flores
“Sekali mendayung, dua tiga pulau terlampaui (Passing two, three islands in one row)“. This Indonesian idiom is the equivalent of “killing two birds with one stone”. It perfectly sums up what you can do in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. The island’s name is derived from the Portuguese for “flowers”. Read more…
Reef-World Launches New Toolkit in Response to The Current Global Coral Bleaching Event
The Reef-World Foundation – the international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative – has launched a new coral bleaching toolkit in response to the 4th global coral bleaching event confirmed by NOAA and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in April 2024. Read more…
Ericeira’s Surfing Renaissance: A Model for Eco-Conscious Surf Culture
Surfers have a unique connection to the ocean, which not only provides a generous home for their sport but as a vital part of their lives. This intimate relationship with the sea places surfers in a pivotal position to advocate for its protection. I had the pleasure of sitting down with a passionate surfer and coach Pedro Luis. Read more….
Five Projects Receive Funding to Advance the Circular Bioeconomy with Biomass Feedstocks

Five teams of researchers from across the country will receive up to $47.3 million to develop the science to transform natural materials into energy, animal feed and other essential products. The teams will become part of the Virtual Institute on Feedstocks of the Future (VIFF). Read more…
Rescue Effort Saves Entangled 400-lb Leatherback Sea Turtle
A leatherback sea turtle, the largest sea turtle species in the world, was disentangled late last week and is swimming freely after three local organizations worked together to assist the animal in Cape Cod Bay. On Thursday, July 18, New England Aquarium Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life scientists and members of the Aquarium’s Animal Health team and Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation team responded to help the turtle, entangled in fishing gear, along with trained responders from the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) and the Barnstable Harbormaster. Read more…
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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.
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Issue 111 - August 2024
The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) Call for Coral Reef Data
The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) has launched a call for coral reef monitoring data for the preparation of the next global report; the Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025.

The GCRMN was established by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in 1995 to monitor the condition of the world’s coral reefs. The GCRMN has published an extensive range of global, regional, and thematic reports on coral reef status and trends. The GCRMN collates and presents coral reef data, aggregating from national to regional levels, and then to a global level.
The flagship products of the GCRMN are the “Status of Coral Reefs of the World” reports, supplemented by topical reports developed upon request of the global community and ICRI, and regional reports highlighting the status and trends of coral reefs across the network’s 10 regions. Since 1995, six “Status of Coral Reefs of the World” global reports have been published by the network at large. The sixth edition of the GCRMN “Status of Coral Reefs of the World” report released in 2021, was the first since 2008, and the first based on the quantitative analysis of a global dataset compiled from raw monitoring data contributed by more than 300 members of the network.
Given the urgency to conserve coral reefs and the commitments made by countries to 2030, the GCRMN is calling for coral reef monitoring data contributions for the development of its seventh “Status of Coral Reefs of the World” global report which will be released in 2026.
The report will describe the temporal trends of hard coral and algal cover (ideally at the resolution of macroalgae, turf algae, and coralline algae) at the global level, providing an update on the “Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2020” report.
GCRMN reports are focused on widely collected indicators that represent the status of coral reefs. For the “Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025” global report, monitoring data on the percentage cover of benthic organisms is being requested
Data can be contributed if associated with a data paper or data repository, stored on MERMAID or ReefCloud, or if your data are stored in Excel or CSV formats. Please note, that your data will not be made publicly available or shared without your prior permission.
A Data Sharing Agreement and Guide for Data Contributors have been developed to support the data contribution process. These can be downloaded from www.gcrmn.net/2025-report and are available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
The GCRMN welcomes all coral reef monitoring data and encourages your collaboration. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Data Collation team, the GCRMN Coordinator, or the ICRI Secretariat, or via the GCRMN Contact Page.
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Feature Destination
Feature Destination: Looking for A Different Experience Around Komodo National Park? Visit These 7 Epic Gems in Flores
Located within the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Komodo National Park, Indonesia, is the jewel in the crown of Labuan Bajo, Flores. Fly into the Komodo Airport which offers direct flights connecting various Indonesian cities, including Jakarta and Denpasar, to Labuan Bajo. Or opt for an adventurous boat ride from Bali or Lombok to reach Labuan Bajo. Labuan Bajo is the gateway to the fascinating Komodo National Park, but beyond this magical place, there are 7 more hidden gems that you can’t afford to miss.
Wae Rebo
A challenging but scenic hike through a dense forest takes you to Wae Rebo, a remote ancient village of the Manggarai tribe. Nestled among lush rolling hills and perched 1,200 meters above sea level, this quaint village features traditional 5-tiered, cone-shaped thatched huts.

Attend the warm welcoming ceremony in the largest hut, amble around the village, and watch the locals harvesting coffee beans. Enjoy the night sky, dine with the locals, and sleep in one of the huts. Wake up early to watch the breathtaking sunrise in dramatic settings.
Rangko Cave
Take a relaxing dip in the salty turquoise pool of Rangko Cave, one of Flores’ best-kept secrets.

At noon, watch the sunlight put on a show as it enters the cave’s mouth, illuminating the majestic stalagmites and stalactites surrounding the magical pool.
Cunca Rami Waterfall
Love getting up close to nature? Trek the trail to the pristine Cunca Rami Waterfall that winds through the beautiful Mbeliling forest offering scenic sights of small villages and agricultural lands.

Be awed by the streams of water dancing down the verdant rocks. Jump into the cool, clear pool for a refreshing swim or have a little picnic amidst the soothing scenery.
Kelimutu Crater
Located in the Kelimutu National Park, Mount Kelimutu is famous for the tri-coloured lakes sitting inside its crater.

Separated by thin ridges of rock, the Kelimutu lakes keep changing their colours, a unique phenomenon that attracts numerous visitors. Trek to the top of Mount Kelimutu to catch the surreal view of the sun rising over the vividly coloured lakes.
Batu Bolong
Witness the rare whitetip reef shark and large turtles at Batu Bolong, a world-class dive site in Komodo that has excellent visibility and excellent coral.

Capture amazing Instagrammable moments as you swim under the water surrounded by colourful corals and a huge volume of exotic fish, including trevallies, tunas, wrasses, rays, and clownfish. Be wary of the strong current that’s suitable for experienced divers.
Cancar Spider Web Field
Discover the spider web rice fields, known locally as the lingko fields, at Cancar village. Rice is cultivated on segments of communal land divided by a unique Manggaraian sharing system which makes the field resemble a spider’s web.

Climb up one of the surrounding hills to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the delightfully shaped wet rice fields.
Blue Stone Beach

Feast your eyes on the unusual turquoise, bluish stones lying on the black volcanic sand of Blue Stone Beach, Flores. Experience the tranquillity of the electric blue seawater, take some great photos, and enjoy some fresh seafood.
With East Nusa Tenggara topping the list of the Best Value Destinations in the World for the year 2020, you’ll be compelled to go beyond Labuan Bajo and Komodo Island in the pursuit of new experiences. So explore these 7 stunning spectacles around Flores and quench your wanderlust.
For more information click here.
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