SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – December 2023 – Issue 103


Feature Destination

Seychelles Leads the Charge in Seagrass Conservation for Climate Action

A school of fish swims over a seagrass meadow

In Seychelles, the Seagrass Mapping and Carbon Assessment Project, led by the University of Oxford in partnership with local organizations like Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) and Island Conservation Society, has been instrumental in these efforts. Read more…

Feature Destination: Visit Sustainable Seychelles

In the azure waters of the Indian Ocean lies the Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands renowned for its unparalleled natural beauty and pioneering efforts in sustainable tourism. This idyllic destination is a haven for eco-conscious travellers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts alike. Read more…

Scientists Confirm That Seychelles is a Hope Spot for Blue Whales

Blue whale underwater © Phillip Colla

While the waters of the Republic of Seychelles became part of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary in 1979, almost nothing is known about the occurrence of blue whales in the western tropical Indian Ocean. Read more…

Green and Hawksbill Turtles Long-Term Growth Patterns Revealed in the Seychelles

In a world increasingly impacted by human stressors, a recent study published in Marine Biology sheds light on the vital need for long-term data to understand and protect marine species like sea turtles. Conducted over 40 years (1981-2021) at Aldabra Atoll, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Seychelles, researchers focused on the growth patterns of immature green and hawksbill turtles. This research is crucial as it informs population models that are essential for the management and conservation of these species, particularly in changing marine environments. Read more…


NEWSROOM

Massive New Seamount Discovered in International Waters Off Guatemala

Hayley Drennon (Staff Assistant, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory) oversees the mapping of new areas as the team search for undiscovered hydrothermal vents.

Seafloor mapping during a Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition has revealed an underwater mountain twice as high as the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, in international waters off Guatemala. The 1,600-meter (5,249-foot) seamount covers 14 square kilometres and sits 2,400 meters below sea level. Read more…

Scientists Locate New Hydrothermal Vent Field Using State-of-The-Art Mapping Technology

Anemone on volcanically formed geological structure

A new high-temperature hydrothermal vent field with 10-15 meter tall venting chimneys was discovered in the Pacific Ocean near the Western Galápagos Islands by an international team using advanced mapping technologies. Read more…

SAWFISH NEWS: SeaWorld Orlando Celebrates the Birth of Endangered Sawfish Pups

sawfish in a tank banner

In October, SeaWorld Orlando announced the birth of three smalltooth sawfish pups, marking a historic achievement in global conservation for this endangered species as the only aquarium in the United States showcasing smalltooth sawfish and only the second worldwide to have a successful birth. Read more…

Incredible Animal Journeys: Explore the Epic Survival of Wildlife with Jeremy Renner in Nat Geo’s New Series

Director of Photography Didier Noirot films a humpback whale mating dance on rebreather. (National Geographic for Disney/Kim Jeffries)

National Geographic recently premiered its captivating new series, “Incredible Animal Journeys,” narrated by Jeremy Renner, on November 19. This series is an awe-inspiring exploration of the natural world, showcasing the remarkable migrations of various animal species across our planet. Read more…

Emily Cunningham’s Passion for Oceans Earns Her Top UK Women of the Future Award

Emily Cunningham

In a remarkable achievement for ocean conservation, Emily Cunningham, an English marine biologist and dedicated ocean advocate, has been awarded the honorary UK Women of the Future Award. This accolade recognizes Cunningham’s significant contributions to ocean conservation, both in the UK and internationally. Read more…

New England Aquarium Expands Shark Population with Arrival of Nurse Shark Cirri

Nurse shark at NEAq

The New England Aquarium is welcoming a new nurse shark to its Caribbean coral reef exhibit, continuing a decades-long commitment to caring for and protecting shark species. The young female shark, named “Cirri” by staff, moved into the 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank last week. Read more…

Green Governance: The Essential Role of Conservationists on Corporate Boards

In the rapidly evolving corporate landscape, the inclusion of environmentalists, particularly those with expertise in marine conservation, on the boards of Fortune 500 companies has become increasingly important. Read more…

Greenpeace Confronts Deep Sea Mining Ship in At-Risk Pacific Region

Protest at a Deep-Sea Mining Ship in the at-risk Pacific Region

Greenpeace International activists yesterday began an ongoing peaceful action against a ship doing deep sea mining exploration for The Metals Company (TMC), to denounce the imminent threat that this industry poses to the world’s oceans. Read more…

New Report Offers Transparency Around Alternative Material to Replace Single-Use Plastics

a floating piece of plastic in the ocean, photo banner

Better Alternatives 3.0 offers greater transparency around these novel materials, their real-world behavior in the environment, and considerations that should be made before the widespread adoption of bioplastics in all sectors of society. Read more…

Reef-World Foundation Launches First Ever End-of-Year Campaign: Save Our Reefs!

Coral reefs are intricate ecosystems with profound ecological, economic, and cultural importance. The urgency to protect them is a shared responsibility, as the loss of reefs reverberates globally, affecting biodiversity, economies, and the well-being of communities. Read more…

World Fisheries Day 2023: New Illustrative Framework Developed to Monitor The Scale & Impact of ‘Destructive Fishing’

A team of researchers specialising in the impact of unsustainable fishing on marine ecosystems have launched a new illustrative framework to monitor the scale and impact of ‘destructive fishing’. Read more…

New Book Proves Net Zero by 2050 is Impossible & Global Warming Continues with Disastrous Consequences

With a multitude of books published on the subject of climate change, it is hard for readers to know where to start. However, this publication of Malcolm Prowle’s Global Climate Change removes any such conundrum. Read more…

What If There Was a Right Whale National Marine Sanctuary?

Right Whale banner

The North Atlantic right whale is a critically endangered whale. In the 1970s, with the first whale watches, there were estimated to be 350 right whales, and the population was growing.  Then, in 2017, right whales took a turn for the worse. By 2020, the population had fallen to 338 right whales, with only 50-70 breeding females.  We must now do more to protect and restore right whales.  Read more…

The Nature Conservancy Makes Propositions to Accelerate the Restoration of Oysters in the Gulf of Mexico

400 volunteers came out to Mobile Bay in Alabama to help restore the Gulf of Mexico.

The report suggests eight overall strategies for oyster restoration and proposes that $40-50 million in Federal money be allocated to each of the five Gulf states to implement those and related strategies. Read more…

Experiment Shows Biological Interactions of Microplastics in Watery Environment

a detailed and scientifically accurate illustration of various types of zooplankton in their natural aquatic environment.

Scientists have learned over the years that when aquatic organisms such as zooplankton become exposed to microplastics, they eat poorly. Research at Purdue University now shows that their plastic-induced eating difficulties also limit the ability of zooplankton to control algal proliferation. Read more…

To Keep Track of Salmon Migrations in Real Time, First Nations Turn to AI

a salmon in the river banner

Between spring and fall each year in coastal British Columbia, when salmon migrate upstream, the region’s First Nations manually count the number of fish passing through to get a sense of how healthy the population is. Read more…

Surfing Morocco’s Waves and Embracing its Rich Traditions

Moroccan surf check/Scoping out the waves in Morocco 2023

Set off on a captivating journey along Morocco’s West Coast, a region where the pulsating swells of the Atlantic meld with a rich cultural landscape, creating a surfer’s haven. In the second episode of ‘No Contest: Off Tour’ Season Two, viewers are treated to an exploration of this surfing paradise, where every skill level finds its match. Read more…

SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup with ISB Students Makes a Splash in November 2023

Students from the International School Bangkok (ISB) collaborated in a commendable beach cleanup event, resulting in the collection of an impressive 110 kilograms of waste in just two hours. Read more…

Conserving Nature in the Midst of Human Conflict

In an age where the globe is marred by conflicts and humanitarian crises, with Gaza at the top of our feeds every morning, to the war-torn streets of Ukraine to the persistent strife in Myanmar, Somalia, or any of the other 32 major armed conflicts happening right now, there lies a profound, often unspoken, dilemma for environmentalists. Read more…


SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas

Beach Cleanup Event from
July 28, 2023

Clean Uo event for July 28, 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.


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=This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media