Issue 111 - August 2024

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. Since the OSF was established in 2018, it has issued over 140 grants totalling US$6.6 million (approx. £5.25 million)* to deliver lasting change. These have supported a wide range of projects which aim to improve the health of stocks, manage harvesting levels carefully, and protect the marine environment.

The 2024 funding includes student research grants aligned with the MSC’s goal to protect biodiversity in the ocean, which will help non-MSC-certified fisheries to make environmental improvements including minimizing harm to wildlife and ecosystems.

The non-profit commits 5% of annual royalties from sales of MSC ecolabel products certified as meeting its sustainability standard into the OSF. Increasingly, third-party philanthropic donations and funds from businesses are also contributing to support the fund in accelerating progress in sustainable fishing globally.

The OSF funding in 2024 also includes 9 grants totalling £445,000 to non-certified fisheries working on improvement projects, to become environmentally sustainable.

In addition, up to £5,000 per grant to student researchers supplement individuals’ costs and support their research projects with fisheries. Some of this year’s grant recipients include:

Rocío Nayeli Avendaño Villeda, from the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, will gather data to improve understanding of a Mexican sardine fishery’s impacts on large seabirds. Her research will help scientists calculate accurately the brown pelican population size. Avendaño´s project is funded through a donation to OSF by Carrefour Italy and seafood brand Delicious, as part of MSC Italy’s Sustainable Seafood Week, 2023.
Lindiwe Makapela of Stellenbosch University, South Africa, will research the South Africa hake longline fishery’s interactions with orca and Cape fur seals and propose operational techniques to minimize risk to these marine mammals. Research outputs will also improve the accuracy of stock assessments, and management measures will be shared with other fisheries in the region to help drive best practices.
Mishel Valery Rañada, from Vrije University, Brussels, aims to improve data-gathering processes at a fishery in Suriname. A lack of information on interactions with endangered, threatened and protected species is a major barrier to sustainable fishing for the demersal trawl finfish fishery. The creation of a database using smartphones to log observations will help the fishery and others in the region will help fishers understand and mitigate their impact.

Dr Beth Polidoro, Research Director, of the MSC, said:

“The Ocean Stewardship Fund is an excellent vehicle to support scientists early in their careers to test hypotheses and make discoveries. The marine environment is significantly changing around the globe, and fisheries will have to continue to adapt. Supporting initiatives for improved data and solutions informed by science are imperative to navigating these challenges.

“Student research projects can provide invaluable insights for fisheries that are not already certified to improve the way they fish by producing data and analyses that can inform actions to reduce bycatch and fishers’ interactions with vulnerable species and birds.

“Scientists and fishers can learn a lot from each other. The Ocean Stewardship Fund facilitates this collaboration to drive the innovation and progress needed to conserve our ocean’s precious resources.”

Discover the grants being awarded this year

About the MSC

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organization which sets globally recognized standards for sustainable fishing and the seafood supply chain. Fisheries representing 19% of the world’s wild marine catch are engaged in its certification program. For more information visit msc.org

About the Ocean Stewardship Fund

The Ocean Stewardship Fund aims to accelerate progress in sustainable fishing worldwide, through annual grants to help researchers and fisheries to adopt and implement practices that help protect the ocean. For example, some projects build on scientific research by modifying fishing gear or practices to minimize their impact on non-target species.

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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

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

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 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.