Issue 104 - January 2024

Green Fins Indonesia is Committed to Expanding Sustainability to Marine Tourism Nationwide

The Coral Triangle Center is celebrating the first Green Fins trainers to complete the “Train the Trainer” programme in Indonesia

The Reef-World Foundation — the international coordinator of UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative — has successfully trained and certified two new Green Fins assessor trainers from the Green Fins Indonesia National Team. They are now qualified to train and certify individuals in-country, building capacity for the initiative’s continued expansion in Indonesia.

With the increasing demand for the Green Fins programme by dive and snorkel operators from popular diving destinations around the country, the Green Fins Indonesia team has undergone the Green Fins “Train the Trainer” (TTT) programme in December 2023. The TTT programme in Indonesia is part of the “Unlocking sustainable marine tourism businesses using Green Fins as a resource for MPA conservation” project, made possible thanks to support from the IUCN under the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF).

This project will enable resource managers to build the evidence base of Green Fins’ environmental, social and economic returns for reef health as well as local communities, ensure financial sustainability to strengthen the capacity of Green Fins Indonesia and improve the uptake of environmental best practices among the marine tourism industry. The project will bring together expertise from The Reef-World Foundation, UNEP-COBSEA and Coral Triangle Center.

Chloe Harvey, Executive Director at The Reef-World Foundation, said: “We are very happy to have secured this grant! This opportunity will be transformational to the sustainability of the Green Fins initiative in Indonesia and beyond. Alongside our trusted partners, the Coral Triangle Center and COBSEA, we look forward to continuing to promote the wise use of coral reefs and sustainable reef-based tourism practices that protect and conserve coral reefs throughout Indonesia, for the benefit of the local community, visitors and future generations.”

Reef-World developed the TTT programme to allow established Green Fins National Teams to take the next step in Green Fins management and country independence. Following the 8-day training, Indonesia now has a team comprised of two certified Green Fins assessor trainers and six Green Fins assessors across different organisations from the country: Coral Triangle Center, BPSPL Denpasar and Bali Blue Harmony.

Emma Levy, Programmes Officer at The Reef-World Foundation and the lead trainer for this training, said: “The recent Green Fins Train the Trainer programme was a real success. We are delighted to see the new assessor trainers take on this additional level of leadership autonomy in-country, as well as welcome talented and skilled individuals to the network of Green Fins assessors. We look forward to seeing the team provide the Indonesian tourism industry with the support they need to continue to reduce their negative impact on the marine environments we all rely on.”

Green Fins Indonesia was launched in January 2018. The programme was piloted in Bali with the Coral Triangle Center leading all Green Fins activities in the country. The plan is to build stronger, more collaborative relationships with the marine tourism industry and to strengthen sustainability within the marine tourism sector across Indonesia by guiding operators towards a more sustainable operating model. Training and encouraging the adoption of the Green Fins management approach to reduce their impact on the marine environment.

Marthen Welly, Marine Conservation Adviser at Coral Triangle Center, said: “Demand for Green Fins from operators has increased since the launch and having the country independence to be able to build our local team capacity and to expand to new areas such as Jakarta and West Nusa Tenggara is the right next step for Green Fins Indonesia. We hope this will also encourage the Indonesian central and local government to advocate and adopt Green Fins for the whole country!”

Building on the successful pilot, Green Fins was then expanded to Ambon and Komodo in 2019. Despite the setback from the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has continued to assess Members where possible, and there are now Green Fins certified dive and snorkel operators in other key destinations in Indonesia such as Ambon and Komodo.

Wira Sanjaya, Bali Portfolio Manager at Coral Triangle Center, said: “I really hope that the Green Fins programme can be adopted by our government for local marine tourism operators nationwide that are providing services in the local MPAs. We have many MPAs in the country and with the Green Fins programme, we can increase the effectiveness of the country’s MPAs management.”

Green Fins provides the only internationally recognised environmental standards for the diving and snorkelling industry and has a robust assessment system to measure compliance. The initiative aims to protect and conserve coral reefs through environmentally-friendly guidelines that promote a sustainable diving and snorkelling tourism industry.

About Reef-World

The Reef-World Foundation is a registered UK charity which delivers practical solutions for marine conservation around the world. The charity promotes the wise use of natural resources – particularly coral reefs and related ecosystems – for the benefit of local communities, visitors and future generations. It is dedicated to supporting, inspiring and empowering governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world to act in conserving and sustainably developing coastal resources.

Reef-World leads the global implementation of the UN Environment’s Green Fins initiative, which focuses on driving environmentally friendly scuba diving and snorkelling practices across the industry globally. As such, the charity provides low-cost and practical solutions to local and industry-wide environmental challenges associated with the marine tourism industry. It provides education and capacity-building assistance to empower environmental champions (within the diving industry, local communities, authorities and governments) to implement proven coastal resource management approaches.

Please visit www.reef-world.org to learn more or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Green Fins

Green Fins is a proven conservation management approach – spearheaded by The Reef-World Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment – which leads to a measurable reduction in the negative environmental impacts associated with the marine tourism industry. The initiative aims to protect and conserve coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines that promote a sustainable diving and snorkelling tourism industry. It provides the only internationally recognised environmental standards for the diving and snorkelling industry and has a robust assessment system to measure compliance.

Green Fins encourages and empowers members of the diving industry to act to reduce the pressures on coral reefs by offering dive and snorkel companies practical, low-cost alternatives to harmful practices – such as anchoring, fish feeding and chemical pollution – as well as providing strategic training, support and resources. Reducing the local direct and indirect pressures tourism puts on coral reefs helps make corals healthier and more resilient to other stresses such as the effects of climate change. Look for the Green Fins logo when booking your next dive trip.

Please visit www.greenfins.net to learn more or follow the initiative on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Coral Triangle Center

Coral Triangle Center (CTC) is a foundation based in Indonesia with regional scope and global impact. Established in 2010, CTC works closely with local communities, the private sector, governments, and partners to strengthen marine resource management in the Coral Triangle to protect coral reef ecosystems, ensure sustainable livelihoods and food security. They support on-the-ground conservation in Bali, Maluku, as well as in Timor-Leste. We lead learning networks of women leaders, local government executives and marine protected area practitioners in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. We are developing our Center for Marine Conservation in Bali as an integrated learning space for training programs, outreach activities, interactive exhibits, and artistic and cultural performances to influence millions of people to care for our ocean and those who depend on it.

CTC continues to work towards their aim to inspire people to care for the ocean. Since our establishment in 2010 until 2023, they have protected more than 435,000 hectares of critical marine habitat and have trained more than 7,600 people to support marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management throughout the Coral Triangle region. CTC is also furthering ocean literacy through public education and outreach. More than 20,000 people have visited our Center for Marine Conservation, many of whom have been inspired to take direct action to protect our oceans.For more information, visit www.coraltrianglecenter.org and follow CTC on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

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Issue 104 - January 2024

11th Hour Racing Provides Support to Nonprofit Organizations in Coastal Communities

11th Hour Racing announced its support of nine new U.S. grant recipients as part of its ongoing philanthropic efforts funded by the Schmidt Family Foundation. These nonprofit organizations are leading initiatives at the crossroads of education and the environment in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico.

Save the Sound harvests eelgrass seeds to restore the marine ecosystem in the Long Island Sound. © 11th Hour Racing

Reinforcing its mission to support local programs that model best practices of sustainability, restore coastal ecosystems, and advance ocean stewardship, 11th Hour Racing also renewed grants with 25 nonprofit organizations and supported 11 community nonprofits in Rhode Island, bringing total funding to $4 million in grant giving in 2023.

“11th Hour Racing’s strategy centers on improving ocean health with an array of solutions that start on land,” said Michelle Carnevale, president of 11th Hour Racing. “Community composting is a strong focus this year – because it transforms food waste into nutrient-rich soil that helps nature sequester more carbon. We’ve also broadened our support of diverse organizations that are leading policy research, testing out advances in ecosystem restoration, and teaching traditional ecological knowledge.”

These nine new grantees join 11th Hour Racing’s current 48-strong cohort of grantees creating systemic change to restore ocean health. The following are the new grantees and work supported by 11th Hour Racing.

Compost Power (New York City, N.Y.) hosts weekly workshops and trains young adults from public housing communities on composting practices and leadership. It processes residential food waste and distributes finished compost to city residents and community gardens.
Franklin’s Promise Coalition (Apalachicola, Fla.) leads experiential youth leadership programs, including BoriCorps in Puerto Rico and OysterCorps in Florida, focused on workforce development in restoring mangroves, salt marshes, oyster habitats, and living shorelines to advance coastal resilience in historically marginalized communities.
Institute for Local Self-Reliance (Washington, D.C.) will advance BIPOC-centered composting programs in the northeast United States through a small grants initiative.
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (Mashpee, Mass.) is implementing a four-week Preserving Our Homelands Youth in Science summer program that combines traditional ecological knowledge with Western science and supports operations of this region’s only native-owned and operated shellfish farm.
Novak Lab (Boston, Mass.) reduces the climate vulnerability of New England eelgrass meadows on Cape Cod by transplanting eelgrass shoots from regional locations with higher average water temperatures and supports restoration efforts of vital eelgrass habitat on Nantucket.
Rhode Island Food Policy Council (Providence, R.I.) supports a just and resilient food system in Rhode Island, including advancing municipal composting initiatives, building a network of compost leaders, and advocating for sustainable food policy.
Rhode Island Schools Recycling Project (Providence, R.I.) is expanding its food waste and healthy food capture and diversion program into five additional schools, training students to lead their fellow students in lunchroom composting, diverting healthy edible food, and recycling. The program is also conducting a case study on cost-saving benefits for schools that switch to lunchroom food waste sorting stations.
Stone Living Lab (Boston, Mass.) improves biodiversity and water quality by installing Living Seawalls, eco-engineered habitat-mimicking concrete structures that will help create more viable Boston Harbor ecosystems while conducting educational events for key municipal and climate resilience professionals.
Urban Ocean Lab (Boston, Mass.) cultivates rigorous, creative, equitable, and practical climate and ocean policy for the future of coastal cities. To advance the use of nature-based solutions in coastal cities nationwide, Urban Ocean Lab is partnering with Stone Living Lab to document, translate, and disseminate lessons learned from the City of Boston’s use of nature-based solutions as an adaptation measure.

11th Hour Racing’s additional contributions to Rhode Island-based nonprofit organizations reflect its mission to support those working to forge a sustainable and inclusive coastal community, foster resilience, and tackle local environmental challenges.

Donation recipients include Bike Newport, Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County, Conexión Latina Newport, Eating with the Ecosystem, EcoRI News, FabNewport, International Tennis Hall of Fame’s TeamFAME Program, Newport Festivals Foundation, Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm, Sankofa Community Connection, and Zero Waste Providence.

11th Hour Racing is now accepting grant applications through March 31, 2024, and welcomes national and international organizations to apply. To learn more, visit 11thhourracing.org.

The Trustees of Reservations is measuring carbon sequestration and restoring vegetation in a portion of New England's 20,000-acre salt marsh to keep pace with climate change. — The Trustees of Reservations is measuring carbon sequestration and restoring vegetation in a portion of New England’s 20,000-acre salt marsh to keep pace with climate change. © 11th Hour Racing

About 11th Hour Racing

11th Hour Racing works to mobilize sports, maritime, and coastal communities with an innovative approach to inspire solutions for the ocean. Since 2010 the organization has been harnessing the power of sport to promote collaborative, systemic change through three primary areas of engagement: Sponsorships, Grantees, and Ambassadors. Learn more at www.11thhourracing.org.

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Issue 104 - January 2024

SSI Launches ‘Underwater Explorers Worldwide’ Facebook Group to Unite Divers Worldwide

Scuba Schools International (SSI) has launched a new Facebook group, ‘Underwater Explorers Worldwide’. This exciting new community is designed to bring together divers from around the world to share their knowledge and passion for underwater adventures.

Why ‘Underwater Explorers Worldwide’?

SSI recognizes the need for a vibrant and engaging platform that goes beyond training and certifications. A place where divers of all experience levels can come together to celebrate the wonders of the underwater world. Here, divers can find a supportive network of other divers who are keen to share their experiences, insights, and tips to enhance every diving adventure.

Benefits of joining:

Joining ‘Underwater Explorers Worldwide’ offers a multitude of benefits. Divers can get unbiased views on everything related to diving. They can ask questions, receive valuable feedback, and get validation from a global community of divers. With members from around the world, it is easy for divers to make new friends and discover new places to go diving.

Who is this group for?

The ‘Underwater Explorers Worldwide’ Facebook group is for everyone interested in diving – be that scuba diving, freediving, Extended Range diving, or mermaiding. This diverse and inclusive group caters for all experience levels; from beginners right through to professionals.

Inside the group, members can explore a world of topics, such as:

Dive spots around the world.
Dive trip planning tips.
Equipment reviews and recommendations.
Dive safety and skills.
Marine conservation and environmental awareness.
Underwater photography and videography.
Dive stories and experiences.
Diving Q&A sessions, polls, surveys, and quizzes.
SSI updates and news.
Exciting events.
Inspiring interviews.

So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your underwater journey, SSI invites you to become a part of this extraordinary community today:

Join the ‘Underwater Explorers Worldwide’ Community.

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Issue 104 - January 2024

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – January 2024 – Issue 104

Feature Destination

Rapa Nui’s Hidden Gems and Sacred Spaces

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is a bastion of ancient mystery and modern allure, a remote volcanic island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. It’s world-renowned for its archaeological treasures, particularly the nearly 900 Moai statues carved by the early Rapa Nui people. Read more…

Rapa Nui Multiple Use Marine Coastal Protected Area, a Blueprint for Conservation

The Rapa Nui Multiple Use Marine Coastal Protected Area, established off the coast of Easter Island in 2018, stands as a monumental effort in marine conservation, encompassing an area of 278,000 square miles. Read more…

Sustainability Insights from Rapa Nui’s Past

Banner photo showing a statue on easter island

Easter Island, known as Rapa Nui to its earliest inhabitants, stands as a sentinel of human history, and ecology, and a poignant lesson in the fragility of civilization. Approximately 2,300 miles from the coast of Chile, it is the most isolated inhabited landmass on Earth. Read more…

NEWSROOM

Halfway Through Expedition Hope: Do Offshore Seamounts Mean Good News for Cayman’s Coral Reefs?

Little Cayman, Cayman Islands; 15 December 2023: As we near the halfway point of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s (CCMI) Expedition Hope to characterise the biodiversity of two offshore seamounts in the Cayman Islands. Read more…

Ocean Hope Chronicles: Local Leaders as Extraordinary Changemakers

Liz Cunningham’s Ocean Hope Chronicles are dedicated to inspiring individuals who are making a difference to protect the life of the seas. “Majority world.” My ears pricked up. I had not heard that term before. The speaker continued. “The majority world is home to talented conservationists who have historically been underrepresented due to colonialism. Read more…

Caught napping? Grey Reef Sharks Resting Changes What We Know About How They Breathe

Researchers are re-writing what we know about how grey reef sharks breathe and rest based on new observations from reefs in Seychelles. They hope that if we understand whether sharks sleep, we will take better measure of everything else. Read more…

MILAN: Natural History Museum Reopens with Renewed Exhibition Layout

The Migliore+Servetto design studio, which won the national competition to design the set-up of the whole museum in 2018, has created the permanent design for Room IX of the Natural History Museum of Milan, dedicated to the “Natural History of Humans”. The intervention involves approximately 400 square metres and ranges from the overall conception of the room layout. Read more…

Snapping Shrimp Create Rowdy Reef in Kimberley Marine Park

Underwater reefs are generally thought of as tranquil places — however, some truly unruly residents make one such area off the coast of northwestern Australia anything but quiet. Marine experts from Curtin University and the Western Australian Museum were diving in the West Holothuria Reef complex in Wunambal Gaambera Wundaagu saltwater country off the Kimberley coast of WA. Read more…

Guy Harvey Foundation Renews Support for The Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest

Wildlife Forever is proud to announce the continuation of their partnership with the Guy Harvey Foundation for the 2024 The Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest. The Guy Harvey Foundation will continue to support the Guy Harvey Shark Award, a special category of the competition featuring all species of sharks. Read more…

Extinct Ink: What If Your Next Tattoo Could Create a Forever-Lasting Impact?

Our oceans are dying and we are responsible: dozens of marine animals have gone extinct due to pollution, poaching, and other human activity. It seems only fair that we give a bit of ourselves to raise awareness about this dramatic issue. Read more…

SOFi Products Unveils New Plastic-Free, Biodegradable Cup for Hot Beverages

After four years of research and development, SOFi Products is excited to reveal its new 100% plastic-free, biodegradable cup for hot beverages that doesn’t require a separate lid. The SOFi Hot Cup features three flaps that fold together to form a spill-proof spout. Read more…

Mountain Bike & Camp Along North Rim of the Grand Canyon with Escape Adventures

While most of North America reels under hot summertime temperatures, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers a wonderful high-altitude escape. Providing gently rolling terrain of lung-expanding dimensions, the North Rim has been long-held as sacred ground to hikers and cyclists alike. Read more…

Shark Conservation Insight: ‘Older Than Trees’ Documentary Unveils Dr. James Lea’s Shark Conservation Quest

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is proud to share its story of shark scientist Dr James Lea, a field biologist deeply committed to a hopeful future for sharks and rays. Viewers can stream the film for free on YouTube, journeying with Lea as he travels the planet using his expertise to save sharks. See the documentary…

Green Fins Indonesia is Committed to Expanding Sustainability to Marine Tourism Nationwide

SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas

Beach Cleanup Event from
November 2023

Coral Nursery & Restoration Activity Update: July 2023

In July 2023, SEVENSEAS Media conducted two impactful events in Krabi, Thailand. The Monthly Beach Cleanup Event at Ao Sew Beach saw enthusiastic volunteers remove a staggering 150.6 kilograms of trash, underscoring the pressing issue of marine pollution and the significance of sustainable practices like reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. The organization stressed the importance of proper waste management to protect coastal ecosystems.

Meanwhile, in the face of an unexpected storm, SEVENSEAS Media’s Coral Nursery & Restoration team demonstrated unwavering dedication, rescuing and relocating 75 corals to safer locations, bolstering their chances of survival and growth. The team outlined a comprehensive plan for continued coral recovery missions and data collection efforts throughout the year. The recent storm served as a stark reminder of the urgency to safeguard coral reefs from climate change impacts. We would like to express our gratitude for the support received from individuals and communities in this conservation community. We would not be able to do it without your support. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to keep our publications and Thailand Cleanup Project afloat.

You can either make a direct financial contribution to SEVENSEAS Media through The Ocean Foundation website or connect us with potential donors by sending an email to Giacomo Abrusci, our Editor-in-Chief.

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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