Issue 030 - October 2017

For Palauans, a healthy ocean means a healthy business!

reef world and green fins logo

When you think about paradise, would you describe it as hundreds of unexplored white beaches, miles and miles of endless ocean, crystal clear cyan waters, rock formations that surface from some of the deepest areas of the ocean? If your answer is yes, then the ‘Pristine Paradise of Palau’ is what you are looking for. This small but bountiful country represents a collection of 200 scattered islands located as part of the Micronesian region in the western Pacific Ocean. In the waters of Palau, you can easily spot many different species of sharks, Napoleon wrasse, infinite expanses of coral reefs, manta rays, the list can go on and on. A paradise for divers and snorkelers!

Green Fins beach collage

However, it is not a coincidence that Palau alone has 1300 species of fish and 700 species of corals across its islands. The concept of sustainability is not new for Palauans – surrounded by water their culture has been intrinsically influenced by it. Their food, identity and traditions are based on their relationship with the oceans. Bul is an ancient practice that extends back thousands of years, it involves the Council of Chiefs placing reef areas off limits to fishing during known fish spawning and feeding periods. Over the years this has translated into some of the most effective and well known marine conservation policies. The Palauan government created the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009, declaring its entire Exclusive Economic Zone a shark sanctuary that protects about 600,000 sq km (230,000 sq miles) of ocean, an area about the size of France.

Given Palau’s success in environmental protection, their oceans are teeming with life and many people around the World travel long distances to see Palau’s gems. Tourism is one of their main sources of income: “Tourism continues to provide for more than half of our economy, with the industry contributing to 51% or our GDP. Growing our tourism industry responsibly is essential to Palau’s economic vitality”, Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. President of the Republic of Palau (extracted from the Palau Responsible Tourism Framework 2017-2021).

Green Fins beach collage

Since September 2017, with the aim to conserve their marine ecosystems for future generations, Palau became the 8^th active Green Fins country. Koror State Government, the Bureau of Tourism, and Palau Conservation Society, adopted the initiative at a state and national level, and with the help of The Reef-World Foundation, trained a powerful team of Green Fins Assessors. Implementing the Green Fins Code of Conduct wasn’t a big stretch for these partners, as it aligns nicely with the Koror’s ‘Tour Guide Training and Certification Program’. In addition to this, the initiative served as a bridge to unite the public and private sector, “Green Fins provides a real tangible partnership with the (diving and snorkelling) industry”, Lolita Gibbons, Palau Conservation Society and Green Fins Assistant Network Leader.

To be a member, dive centres sign a free and voluntary membership. One of the first dive centres to sign up was Fish’n Fins. After taking over the dive shop in 1998, the owners Tova and Navot Bornovski have achieved so much more than just running a successful dive centre, for them marine conservation goes hand in hand with their business. They feel that through briefings, displaying educational posters and direct interaction with their guests they can have a positive impact by building a deeper understanding of the marine environment. As part of their advocacy, back in 2002 they founded the Micronesian Shark Foundation an organisation that works in shark conservation, research and education throughout the region. Some of their activities involve shark tagging, awareness raising in schools, collecting DNA from illegally caught sharks, which was a major drive to ban all shark fishing in the area; and publishing of papers and books.

Tova and Navot found more than just a good location to set up their business in Palau, they found a place that shared their ideologies. When Fish’n’Fins were introduced to Green Fins, becoming a member felt natural because they were already implementing many essential aspects of the Code of Conduct such as implementing an effective trash management policy, the first to use recyclable bento boxes and biodegradable utensils, running clean-ups on a daily basis throughout all of their tours, to just name a few. But Green Fins does so much more than help marine tourism businesses become more sustainable; with government staff involved they are able to get deeper involved with marine tourism activities, help monitor infractions and see the reality of a growing industry. This was added value for people like Tova and Navot who have been tackling local issues for decades

In order to be an active Green Fins member, the dive centre goes through an assessment of their business operations. Assessors use a robust criteria based on the Code of Conduct to monitor what policies the operation has in place to stop environmental damage. At the end of the assessment, Green Fins Assessors consult with the dive centre management and/ or owners highlighting what is working well and with each member, discussing three action points to help them reduce their environmental impact. This process repeats every year with the aim to increase reef resilience by reducing local threats.

Green fins boat scene

One of the points Fish’n’Fins tackled after their assessment was the removal of the shells displayed in their shop. Whilst shell decorations are common practice in tourism destinations, souvenir and dive shops around the world the marine curios industry has a wide-spread impact. The use of marine life to make decorative and household items, jewelry and souvenirs drives a global industry which involves the large-scale collection of a range of animals. Thousands of types of mollusks are used for their shells, together with corals, sponges, starfish, crustaceans, fish and turtles. There are numerous conservation issues associated with this industry, including over-exploitation and direct habitat damage through irresponsible collection methods.

Tova decided to take this as an opportunity to raise awareness and share knowledge with her staff. She decided to make it an ‘event’ by having as many of the staff involved and taking a boat specifically to return the shells to the ocean. Even though at first some of the staff thought it was silly, she felt that by the end everyone left with a deeper and better understanding of how each small action that we take can have a bigger impact. This exemplifies how adopting the Green Fins Code of Conduct can help even some of the best and more environmentally aware business practices take steps to be even better.

By working together and following the Green Fins guidelines, the diving and snorkelling industry will contribute to Palau’s efforts to conserve their natural resources. They are now part of the more than 500 members across South East Asia, the Indian Ocean and now the Pacific! This is just the beginning of Green Fins in Palau and we at The Reef-World Foundation are sure that it will be another success story.

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Issue 030 - October 2017

SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel Magazine: October Issue

1. Letter from the Editor. Vacation in the wake of a hurricane and put your money where your heart is.

…think about it. If you are planning a vacation in the next 12 months, consider going someplace that can benefit from that money.

2. The Underwater Cosmos of Manu Bustelo.

Manu Bustelo’s diving has taken him from Thailand to the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef. His current home base of Andorra offers him the opportunity for diving in high altitude lakes.

3. Paris Agreement only chance for coral reef survival.

Limiting global warming to below 2°C in line with the Paris Agreement provides the only chance for the survival of coral reefs…

4. Blue carbon climate mitigation largely ignored.

mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses – often referred to as coastal ‘blue carbon ecosystems’ are often overlooked in national climate change policies…

5. Egypt Underwater – a photo series.

Once you get below the waves you are in store for an eruption of color and biodiversity sure to impress the most seasoned divers.

6. Feature Destination: Spirit bears bring international tourists to remote B.C.

This majestically coloured white animal – that used to be, wrongly, thought of as a rare albino – is a sacred animal to the First Nations people.

7. Feature Destination: Exploring the Great Bear Sea: New, Free Curriculum Resources.

Green Fire Productions, a non-profit organization, specializes in producing documentaries on sustainability and conservation of natural resources. The Great Bear Sea is part of the Ocean Frontiers film series on ocean stewardship in North America.

8. Feature Destination: Scuba Diving the Northern tip of Vancouver Island with MaPP.

Scuba divers come from all over the world to dive the wall at Browning Pass and other remarkable sites near Port Hardy.

9. Feature Destination: New century, new approach to marine planning in B.C.

For the first time in British Columbia’s history, First Nations have been equal partners with the provincial government in developing marine use plans…

10. Feature Destination: Coastal Stewardship Network: Collaborative Monitoring and Protection of First Nations’ Lands and Waters.

First Nations in British Columbia have effectively managed the rich resources of their territories for millennia. But the balance…

11. Feature Destination: Gitga’at Guardians: Using Science to Safeguard their Territory.

The remote, island-dotted coastal waters of the Gitga’at Nation are ideal whale habitat, including endangered species such as Orca and Fin Whales…

12. Mobile App Transforms Smartphone into Tool for Ocean Protection .

A smartphone app from the environmental organization Project AWARE® will enable scuba divers around the world to record levels of marine debris now causing increasing problems for wildlife and ocean habitats.

13. For Palauans, a healthy ocean means a healthy business!

In the waters of Palau, you can easily spot many different species of sharks, Napoleon wrasse, infinite expanses of coral reefs, manta rays, the list can go on and on. A paradise for divers and snorkelers!

14. Connect with the Global Marine Community.

In a nutshell, the Global Marine Community is a free interactive resource that gives you access to a weekly email detailing a round-up of events and opportunities in ocean conservation.

15. Florida’s Largest Ocean Conservation Awards Event.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Ninth Annual Go Blue Awards recognize ocean conservationheroes from around the globe

16. Biri Initiative, a story on coral restoration.

Their mission is to rejuvenate damaged reefs and create alternative forms of employment to fishing. This is Richard Ewen and David Parker’s story…

17. Washingtonians Volunteer in International Coastal Cleanup.

Volunteers Joined Hundreds of Thousands Worldwide during Ocean Conservancy’s 32nd International Coastal Cleanup…

18. Brazilian Government signs up to UN Clean Seas campaign.

A significant boost for global efforts to protect marine life and human health

19. Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge Acceleration Prize Winners Announced.

Paso Pacifico started with an idea for an artificial sea turtle egg that contains covert tracking devices to reveal illegal trafficking routes. They now have a functional and scalable prototype

20. Interested in advertising, contributing an article, or becoming a donor?

30 Issues, readership in 174 countries, over 15,000 subscribers, 20,000 monthly visitors…and growing.

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Issue 030 - October 2017

Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge Acceleration Prize Winners Announced

Since its launch in 2014, the Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge has played a pivotal role in harnessing the power of science and technology to combat the international crisis of wildlife trafficking. USAID, in partnership with the National Geographic Society, the Smithsonian Institution, and TRAFFIC, has helped 16 winning innovators, chosen from a pool of over 300 applicants, to develop their solutions to fight wildlife crime. Four of these winners were awarded “grand prizes” in 2016 to support their work to grow and refine tools to fight corruption, identify poaching hotspots, and detect illegal sales online and illegal shipments in ports.

This year, to spur continued progress in advancing these promising solutions, USAID offered a new opportunity for Challenge Prize Winners to compete to win three Acceleration Prizes, worth a total of $100,000 each. These prizes utilized a pay-for-results approach to incentivize continued action and reward those who demonstrated the greatest growth in their solution. The winners were selected based on evidence of their progress in refining their solution, leveraging resources, and building partnerships over the last year and a half.

USAID is pleased to announce the three winners of the Acceleration Prizes, worth $100,000 each. While all of the Challenge Prize Winners have made great advances, these three organizations have made truly remarkable progress in turning promising ideas into viable solutions positioned for scale and impact on the ground:

TheUniversity of Washington created a solution to genetically track the illegal pangolin trade and alert law enforcement to the most heavily poached pangolin populations. Once only a concept, it is now nearly ready to be used in forensic labs worldwide. The solution includes a fully developed genetic system and flexible computer software, and can be easily transferred.
TheZoological Society of London has developed a new version of their Instant Detect system, a wildlife and threat monitoring network for the most demanding environments. The system uses remote sensors and satellite technology to help authorities identify illegal activity in protected areas in near real-time. The new system will be easier to use, easy to deploy, compatible with existing law enforcement tools, and cheaper to purchase.
Paso Pacifico started with an idea for an artificial sea turtle egg that contains covert tracking devices to reveal illegal trafficking routes. They now have a functional and scalable prototype that is the result of testing and refinement of various artificial egg designs, materials, and production processes, as well as internal transmitter and battery technology.

Congratulations to all of the WCTC Prize Winners on their impressive progress through the Challenge, and to the Acceleration Prize Winners!

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Issue 030 - October 2017

Brazilian Government signs up to UN Clean Seas campaign

UN Clean Seas campaign reaches milestone 30^th country with new announcement from Brazil
A significant boost for global efforts to protect marine life and human health
Announcement strengthens Brazil’s commitment to developing a National Plan to Combat Marine Litter

Brazil has officially announced its support to the UN Clean Seas campaign in a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York with Minister of Environment, Sarney Filho, and head of UN Environment, Erik Solheim.

As the world’s ninth largest economy and a leader in environmental protection, Brazil’s declaration of support is a significant boost to the UN’s global campaign, which now boasts 30 member states and aims to “turn the tide on plastic” by inspiring action from governments, businesses and individuals.

brazil skyline

“Brazil’s support for this campaign is crucial. It underscores the size of the problem and the scale of the response that we need to see,” said Solheim. “We need more of the same political leadership – the kind that sends a very clear message: we cannot afford to continue to turn our oceans into a sea of waste.”

The announcement strengthens the Brazilian government’s commitment to developing a National Plan to Combat Marine Litter and supporting the creation of the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary and Marine Protected Areas.

“The ecological services provided by the oceans are essential for all people and Brazil has been taking a number of measures to ensure the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems,” said Minister Filho.

Plastic has long been identified as a major cause of environmental damage and health problems. It pollutes the environment; kills birds, fish and other animals that mistake plastic for food; damages tourist destinations; harms marine fisheries and provides a breeding ground for Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya mosquitoes.

Plastic use, however, continues to grow. In 2016, 5.8 million tons of plastic products were produced in Brazil. Globally, up to 2015, mankind had produced 8.3 billion tons of plastic. Of this, 6.3 billion tons have already been discarded and some 8 million tons are dumped into our oceans every year.

Much of this waste is made up of disposable plastic, including cups, bags, straws, bottles and microplastics (tiny particles of plastic) from cosmetic products.

The Clean Seas campaign asks the support of governments through the creation of effective national laws and encouragement for businesses and citizens to develop new and more sustainable patterns of production and consumption. A recent example comes from Chile, which this week announced a law banning plastic bags in coastal cities.

By signing up to Clean Seas, Brazil joins Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Panama, Peru, Saint Lucia and Uruguay to become the 10th country in Latin America and the Caribbean to join the campaign.

Further afield, Indonesia has committed to slash marine litter by 70%, Canada has added microbeads to its list of toxic substances, and New Zealand, the UK and the US have announced bans on microbeads.

About UN Environment

UN Environment is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UN Environment works with governments, the private sector, the civil society and with other UN entities and international organizations across the world.

Clean seas logo

About Clean Seas

Launched at the Economist World Ocean Summit in Bali, UN Environment’s #CleanSeas campaign is urging governments to pass plastic reduction policies; targeting industry to minimize plastic packaging and redesign products; and calling on consumers to change their throwaway habits before irreversible damage is done to our seas.

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