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Issue 27 - July 2017

The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia & Catalyst Paper announce plans for historic artificial reef project.

The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) and Catalyst Paper (Powell River Division) are pleased to announce a joint effort to pursue the conversion of four surplus vessels into artificial reefs in Powell River, BC.

Powell River Mill and townsite area of Powell River. The river itself runs from Powell Lake (background) to the mill.

The ARSBC, which has sunk more ships and aircraft than any other non-profit group in the world to create marine habitat, will consult with Catalyst within the federal government’s regulatory framework for the disposal of these vessels at sea. This will require applying for permits and/or approvals from Environment Canada, Transport Canada and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans.

“We are delighted to work with the Artificial Reef Society to re-purpose these historic concrete vessels, converting them into future productive marine reef systems,” says Fred Chinn, Vice President & General Manager, Catalyst Powell River Division. “This artificial reef has the potential to become a significant scuba dive tourism attraction for the City of Powell River, which will benefit our community and economy.”

The four ships planned for reefing are currently part of the mill’s 10-vessel breakwater infrastructure. These ships, which are no longer required, include YOGN-82, Emile N. Vidal, Quartz and S.S. Peralta. The reefing program will be a multi-phase initiative with YOGN-82 to be the first vessel prepared and sunk in 2017.

The vessels, all American war surplus were purchased over time by Catalyst after the Second World War and are between 70 and 95-years-old. Constructed from cast reinforced concrete, they have survived afloat and have been part of Powell River’s seascape acting as a breakwater system protecting the mill’s log pond and foreshore. Ranging from 109 to 128 meters long, and weighting between 6,000 to 8,000 tons, these historic relics are the last of their kind afloat anywhere in the world. The S.S. Peralta, which spans 128 meters in length, is the oldest at 97 years dating back to just after the First World War.

The ARSBC completed its eighth major project on April 4, 2015 after the successful sinking of the former HMCS Annapolis in Halkett Bay, Gambier Island. Reef Society President Howie Robins believes this exciting new project will build on the organization’s successful record of accomplishment of converting ships into productive reef habitat.

“This will be the most unique and creative marine habitat project ever undertaken by our Society and we are delighted to work with Catalyst throughout this process,” says Robins. “Divers of all skill levels seek novelty and this will be a dive back into maritime history for adventure divers worldwide”.

The ARSBC intends to place these giant vessels in a group formation at variable depths ranging roughly 25 to 35 meters. Accessible only by watercraft, the ships will be sunk within easy scuba swimming distance from each other.

“These wartime relics are already well past their life span, in essence they are already floating artificial reefs based on the generations of biodiversity on their hulls,” adds Robins. “When fully submerged, these ships will form a pinnacle oasis for marine flora and fauna settlement with scale and habitat complexity.”

To date, letters of endorsement for the project have been received from the Tla’amin Nation (Sliammon), the Regional District of Powell River and the City of Powell River.

The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) is a registered non-profit society based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Society has an experienced team of specialists who consult on the creation of long term stable marine habitats using ethical means of vessel preparation. As well as protecting environmentally and historically sensitive marine habitats, these new reefs also provide opportunities for eco-adventure scuba diving tourism. Since 1991, the Artificial Reef Society has sunk seven ships and one Boeing 737 in the waters off BC’s west coast.

Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse printing papers such as coated freesheet, C1S, coated and uncoated ground wood, newsprint, directory, as well as market pulp. Customers include retailers, publishers and commercial printers in North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Europe. With five mills across North America, Catalyst has annual production capacity of 2.3 million tonnes. Catalyst is head quartered in Richmond, British Columbia, and is ranked by Corporate Knights magazine as one of the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada.

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Issue 27 - July 2017

How To Give An Environmental Boat Briefing

The new Green Fins How-to-video is out! This month’s release title is: How To Give An Environmental Boat Briefing, the video is aimed to serve as a guidance for dive guides and management on what aspect should be included during a proper boat briefing. It will also inform the guests on what to expect and what they can do.

For more information go to http://greenfins.net/en

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Issue 27 - July 2017

Issue 27: July 2017

1. Letter from the Editor. Happy summer to everyone up north and hoping all our readers in the US had a fabulous 4th of July week. Whether back at work or still on vacation…

 

2. If you value SEVENSEAS Media as a resource and as the free PR arm for everyone in marine conservation and sustainable tourism, we need your support! Learn more about how to get involved and ensure we remain a valuable resource…

 

3. Vamizi Island, a Cradle of Coral, provides a bastion of hope for people and biodiversity. Off the east coast of Africa and the northern tip of Mozambique lies the Hope Spot of the Quirimbas Islands…

 

4. Under the Waves with Karim Iliya: July 2017. A juvenile humpback whale takes a breath while bubble feeding off the cold waters of Eastern Greenland.

 

5. Ever dream of swimming with humpback whales? Now you can. If you are interested in swimming with or photographing humpback whales Karim guides people in small trips in Tonga…

 

6. Massive clean-ups and new national parks as humanity stands with nature on World Environment Day. Thousands of people across six continents are joining massive clean-ups of beaches and parks…

 

 

7. Introducing Isla Mar Research Expeditions – Field Courses in Puerto Rico. A field course coordination company in Puerto Rico that specializes in organizing and hosting island ecology (marine/terrestrial) themed courses.

 

8. FEATURE DESTINATION. Photo Essay: New Zealand’s Diverse Landscapes. In New Zealand, the landscape can change drastically within a few hours’ drive….

 

9. FEATURE DESTINATION. Diving the Poor Knights Islands. We made our way along a wall with massive stalks of kelp jutting from jagged rock, a kaleidoscope of sponges and anemones filling the spaces in between…

 

10. Ambassadors of Hope for our Oceans. The beautiful coral reefs of their island home, Panglao, support a booming tourism industry…

 

11. If You Eat Seafood, You’re Eating Thousands of Pieces of Plastic. …people in Europe currently consume up to 11,000 microparticles a year and that 99 percent of them pass through the body, but the remaining 1 percent…

 

12. Loggerhead Marinelife Center released “Lilly” the sea turtle, named after Palm Beach resort wear icon Lilly Pulitzer. The large sub-adult loggerhead turtle was found last October just north of the Center with a deep shell wound above the turtle’s shoulder.

 

13. Inuit and Scientists Are Bringing Narwhals and the Melting Arctic Into Focus. Smithsonian Exhibition To Reveal Traditional and New Knowledge of Narwhals and Their Threatened Ecosystem.

 

14. Underwater and Out-of-the-Way: Exploring Xcalak and the Banco Chinchorro. …the Mesoamerican reef is a Mission Blue Hope Spot and in 2016 the Mexican government established the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere…

 

15. Beautiful Maireener Shells and Necklaces from Tasmania. Tasmanian Aboriginal women traditionally collected maireener shells to fashion necklaces and bracelets.

 

16. Incredible Facts About Our Oceans (Video). Oceans take up almost 70% of our planet, and yet the human race has barely begun to explore the true extent of ocean life.

 

 

17. Turn the Tide on Plastic #CleanSeas. Help eliminate microplastics in cosmetics and reduce single-use plastics.

 

18. 1 Topic, 5 Facts: Coral. This regular feature will help acquaint you with our blue planet.

 

19. 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.

 

20. UN Environment statement on US decision to leave Paris Agreement. “…we need more action, not less. This a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now…”

 

21. Paso Pacifico is changing wildlife surveillance. The illegal trade in sea turtle eggs is threatening the survival of all seven species of the world’s sea turtles…

 

22. How To Give An Environmental Boat Briefing. …aimed to serve as a guidance for dive guides and management on what aspect should be included during…

 

23. SeaKeepers Asia June Expeditions. In June 2017, the SeaKeepers Asia chapter of The International SeaKeepers Society participated in two facets of our DISCOVERY Yachts Program…

 

24. Pangaea Ocean Sailing Expedition. Panex is opening up sailing expeditions for guest crew. This is an unique opportunity to go sailing, cross an ocean, and be a part of something bigger.

 

 

25. Interested in advertising, contributing an article, or becoming a donor? 27 Issues, readership in 174 countries, nearly 15,000 subscribers, 20,000 monthly visitors…and growing.

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Issue 27 - July 2017

Letter from the Editor – July 2017.

Happy summer to everyone up north and hoping all our readers in the US had a fabulous 4th of July week. Whether back at work or still on vacation, summer often means that time of year to explore, excite, and expand our horizons. Also, an opportunity to make an impact while you are on the road.

I just recently came back from Vietnam, and though we will go deeper into that in a future issue, I came to the realization that country is a dream. I made more friends than I imagined possible, discovered mind bending artwork, food (and coffee, OMG the coffee!) that I am still dreaming about, amazing sights, and incredible culture. Now, time permitting, whenever I am on the road I try to visit local zoos and aquariums so I can review, rate, and report on them. When I see questionable practices, I then will go a step further to consult with an expert and then reach out to management if we feel necessary. When I visited the The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City, I admit I was shocked – it was by no stretch the worst zoo I had ever seen in my life.

Habitats were often cement boxes with tourists excitedly banging on the glass or bars that separate them from the creatures inside. There were little-to-no educational components and animals were mixed throughout children’s rides so there was no distinction in what was a living creature and a game. Smaller animals like otters and meerkats seemed to not be distraught but larger mammals were showing sever signs of distress. A Malaysian black bear banging its head and body incessantly against the habitat door, isolated giraffes standing listless and frozen in time, and elephants rocking nervously back and forth then huddled in defense when the keeper would enter their confined space. Considering the rules and limitations in Vietnam I do not envision improvement for the future- in fact, at this state of disrepair I believe the zoo should be closed and likely many of the animals euthanized while appropriate outreach is conducted with state officials. I have never said that before for any institution.

So is this another horror story to ruin the bunch? It shouldn’t be. Good zoos and aquariums play many vital roles. Some have extensive rehabilitation and release divisions, others have unique captive breeding programs, and almost all good zoos have extensive educational components. No matter who you talk to you will see there are countless opinions on this topic- whether regarding the size of the animal, the species, comparing zoo habitats to natural environments, or sheer ethics of captivity. So what should you do? Learn which are the good ones, support them, and if you have the means see how to help the ones that need improvement. Struggling to find a birthday gift for someone? How about a membership to a local zoo, aquarium, or sanctuary.

The needle dictating what is ethical/acceptable/natural-as-possible is constantly moving but understand that while there are cages and tanks that are quite dreadful, there are some similar organizations out there that do some invaluable work that many species depend on.

Have questions about this issue, Vietnam, my zoo experience, or anything else? Email me. It might take a bit for me to get back to you but I respond to everything.

Please encourage friends, colleagues, and classmates to like and subscribe to free products and organizations like SEVENSEAS Media. The larger our network, the stronger our conservation message, and more significant our impact. 

SEVENSEAS Media is the leading free resource that promotes marine conservation through community engagement, online media, and eco-tourism, every month, to our readers all across the globe. We ask that YOU be that inspiration for others to follow in your footsteps.

Safe travels & happy swimming,

Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief

 

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