By Belén García Ovide, Project Manager
Ocean Missions is an innovative NGO born in Iceland in 2019 that offers annual expeditions in the edge of the Arctic regions. This project was born from the need for sustainable tourism and conservation in a unique and fragile environment as it is Iceland and nearby regions.
We want to inspire people to take actions, to connect with the ecosystems and to preserve the natural values. It is a new vision of tourism that aims to educate people about the importance of our Oceans and our planet and engage them in the beautiful world of scientific research.
This 7-10 days active expeditions bring enthusiastic people from different backgrounds, eager to learn and get out of the comfort zone, exploring from the most inner self to the stunning landscapes of the Arctic, making a step forward to become an example of sustainability, an ocean ambassador.
During the last expedition, we gather the first results on microplastics on the surface in Icelandic waters and now they have been analyzed in a laboratory in collaboration with the University of Roskilde.
Our team is a mix of experienced sailors, adventurous scientists, whale researchers and wildlife guides working here in Iceland. For the expeditions, we also like to gather photographers, journalists and sometimes even artists and other scientists to come on board to inspire everyone and learn from each other.
Every trip is a unique adventure where the protagonist is not yourself but nature and you create your own story in fully connected with the surroundings.
Ocean Missions is an NGO proudly affiliated to North Sailing Whale Watching Company, and they lend us the magnificent Opal Schooner for these expeditions. Opal is a beautiful hybrid propelled two-mast traditional schooner, undoubtedly built for adventurous.
During our expeditions we study plastic pollution, underwater sounds, whales birds among other surveys in remote areas to understand how to expose are these areas to pollution, the effects climate change while bringing awareness to the problem. We are always open to new challenges and accepting proposals from others!
Iceland, April 2019. Danish marine biologist Louise Flensborg on the lookout for whales to take a biopsy of the skin and blubber. Scientists, storytellers and industrial designers work together during the Ocean Missions Iceland scientific sailing expedition aboard Schooner Opal. The organisation wants to inspire people to take direct action towards ocean conservation, by combining science and education with exploration and adventure. Photo by Frits Meyst / Meystphoto.com
We leave and work in Húsavík, “the whale capital” in Iceland. It is a magic place and one of the best destinations worldwide to see whales. Here, there is a beautiful whale community and a huge potential to work on conservation together with the Research Centers and Museums and whale watching companies in the town. And we want to ACT NOW!
“We bring people to connect with nature, to understand the problems and to inspire them to be part of the solution”
Thanks to these expeditions and the support from the people, not only we learn more about the health of our oceans, but we aim to start working together at the local level as soon as possible on the following:
- Build and open an eco-mini laboratory in Hùsavik for education & awareness (for locals and tourists)
- Ocean Education in Icelandic schools and mini expeditions for kids
- Campaign to make HUSAVIK a free plastic town
- Reinforce the Code of conduct (or guidelines) for whale watching activities in The capital of whale watching (Hùsavík)
If you want to be involved or join an expedition read more www.oceanmissions.org
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media