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Feature Destination

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NEWSROOM

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SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas

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.

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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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By The University of Oxford

Despite being scattered across more than a million square kilometres, new research has revealed that remote coral reefs across the Seychelles are closely related. Using genetic analyses and oceanographic modelling, researchers at Oxford University demonstrated for the first time that a network of ocean currents scatter significant numbers of larvae between these distant islands, acting as a ‘coral superhighway.’ These results are published in NatureScientific Reports.

Dr April Burt (Department of Biology, University of Oxford, and Seychelles Islands Foundation), lead author of the study, said: ‘This discovery is very important because a key factor in coral reef recovery is larval supply. Although corals have declined alarmingly across the world due to climate change and a number of other factors, actions can be taken at local and national scales to improve reef health and resilience. These actions can be more effective when we better understand the connectivity between coral reefs by, for instance, prioritising conservation efforts around coral reefs that act as major larval sources to support regional reef resilience.’

The researchers collaborated with a wide range of coral reef management organisations and the Seychelles government to collect coral samples from 19 different reef sites. A comprehensive genetic analysis revealed recent gene flow between all sample sites – possibly within just a few generations – suggesting that coral larvae may be frequently transferred between different populations. The results also hinted at the existence of a new cryptic species of the common bouldering coral, Porites lutea. 

The genetic analyses were then coupled with oceanographic modelling, simulating the process of larval dispersal. These simulations allowed researchers to visualise the pathways coral larvae take to travel between reefs across the wider region and determine the relative importance of physical larval dispersal versus other biological processes in setting coral connectivity. 

This revealed that the dispersal of coral larvae directly between reefs across the Seychelles is highly plausible. For example, coral larvae spawned at the remote Aldabra atoll could disperse westwards towards the east coast of Africa via the East African Coastal Current. From here, they would then travel north along the coast, with some potentially even reaching the South Equatorial Counter Current, which could bring them eastwards again back towards the Inner Islands of Seychelles. 

While these long-distance dispersal events are possible, it is likely that much of the connectivity between remote islands across the Seychelles may be established through ‘stepping-stone’ dispersal. This suggests that centrally located coral reefs in Seychelles, and possibly East Africa, may play an important role in linking the most remote islands.

Dr Noam Vogt-Vincent (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, now based at the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology) who led the oceanographic modelling, said: ‘This research suggests that the broad agreement between predicted connectivity and observed genetic patterns supports the use of such larval dispersal simulations in reef system management in Seychelles and the wider region. These simulations also allow us to investigate how regular these connectivity patterns are in time because a regular larval supply will be essential for reef recovery in the face of climate change.’

The modelling data can be visualised in a new app: with just one click you can see how coral larvae from Seychelles potentially reach reefs across the whole region. The researchers suggest that this data could help identify major larval sources to be prioritised for inclusion in marine protected areas or active reef restoration efforts. 

Professor Lindsay Turnbull (Department of Biology, University of Oxford), senior author, said: ‘This study couldn’t come at a more timely moment. The world is once again watching, as El Niño devastates coral reefs throughout the Indian Ocean. Now we know which reefs will be crucial to coral recovery, but we can’t pause in our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stopping climate change.’

Dr Joanna Smith and Helena Sims (The Nature Conservancy) who support the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Initiative said:  ‘The WIO coral connectivity study, by illustrating the connectivity of reefs within a network, can be used at national and regional scales in the Western Indian Ocean for Marine Protected Area design and management, as well as directing restoration activities. We look forward to using the results and Coral Connectivity app to inform the implementation of the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan.’

To see the original study, please CLICK HERE!

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The University of Oxford

Oxford University has been placed number 1 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the eighth year running, and number 3 in the QS World Rankings 2024. At the heart of this success are the twin pillars of our ground-breaking research and innovation and our distinctive educational offer.

Oxford is world-famous for research and teaching excellence and is home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research alongside our personalised approach to teaching sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.

Through its research commercialisation arm, Oxford University Innovation, Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts, having created more than 300 new companies since 1988. Over a third of these companies have been created in the past five years. The university is a catalyst for prosperity in Oxfordshire and the United Kingdom, contributing £15.7 billion to the UK economy in 2018/19, and supports more than 28,000 full-time jobs.

The Seychelles Islands Foundation

Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), is a non-profit charitable organisation that was established as a public trust by the government of Seychelles in 1979. SIF manages and protects the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Aldabra Atoll and the Vallée de Mai and has the President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, as Patron.

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Amid frequently reported setbacks for conservationists in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring spirit of conservation. Established with a profound commitment to the preservation of marine biodiversity, TUDAV has dedicated itself to the guardianship of the aquatic treasures that fringe the shores of Turkey. At the heart of their mission lies the urgent call to protect the remaining marine richness, a call that echoes through the halls of academia and into the depths of the sea.

TUDAV delves into critical questions regarding the loss of marine biodiversity: what has been lost, the reasons behind these losses, and the mechanisms through which they occurred. This inquiry forms the foundation of the foundation’s extensive research endeavours. The coasts of Turkey, much of which brims with untouched natural beauty, serve as both the subject and setting of TUDAV’s studies. These coastal areas, vital for the feeding and reproduction of millions of marine organisms, encapsulate the richness and diversity of marine life they aim to protect.

The foundation’s research is not limited to biodiversity; it extends into the realms of marine accidents, with a focus on the Turkish Straits and the Black Sea, and the creation of a data bank facilitates the exchange of crucial information. Their dedication to research is paralleled by its commitment to education and public awareness, offering seminars and conservation guidelines especially designed for fishermen and the broader community.

A significant aspect of TUDAV’s work involves the establishment of Special Protected Areas, aiming to safeguard underwater life and educate the public about marine ecosystems. In alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), TUDAV’s efforts notably contribute to goals pertaining to Clean Water and Sanitation, Life Below Water, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action. This alignment underscores their role in addressing global challenges through local action, particularly in combating illegal fishing practices and mitigating the effects of climate change on marine environments.

The foundation’s inception, rooted in the personal journey of its founder, Bayram Öztürk, reflects a deep-seated passion for the sea. From the fertile coasts of the Black Sea to the discovery of Turkey’s ancient seabed heritage, Öztürk’s story is one of discovery, love, and ultimately, protection of the marine world. His vision, shared by the foundation’s founders and supporters, transcends national boundaries, aiming for a global collaboration to preserve the marine ecosystem for future generations.

TUDAV’s work serves as a reminder of the intrinsic value of our seas, not just as sources of sustenance and livelihood but as reservoirs of biodiversity and beauty. The foundation’s efforts in research, education, and conservation work towards ensuring the health of marine and coastal ecosystems, are vital for the well-being of the communities that depend on them.

For conservation-minded tourists, Turkey’s coasts offer a unique opportunity to witness the beauty and diversity of marine life that TUDAV works tirelessly to protect. From the vibrant life found in lagoons and stream mouths to the fascinating marine inhabitants like seals in the Mediterranean, otters, and dolphins, the region is a testament to the richness of marine life. The Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, with their groupers, morays, and octopuses guarding the rock caves, present an intriguing world waiting to be explored.

The Turkish Marine Research Foundation stands as a pivotal force in the fight to preserve marine biodiversity in the region. Through its comprehensive approach encompassing research, education, and direct action, TUDAV not only confronts the challenges facing our seas but also offers a path towards sustainable coexistence with our marine environment. The foundation’s work, grounded in scientific rigour and profound love for the sea, is a beacon of hope for the preservation of our planet’s marine heritage.

You can learn more at https://tudav.org/

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