Issue 30 - October 2017

Vacation in the wake of a hurricane and put your money where your heart is

Some tragedies resulting from natural disasters – and worse – have rocked our world recently. Broken hearts, in fact. In times like these we want to reach out and help those in need but often we are too far. Donating is a must to get resources and care to affected areas, but there is more we can do. Especially after press leaves town and recovery gets overshadowed by the next big thing. So think about it. If you are planning a vacation in the next 12 months, consider going someplace that can benefit from that money.

Areal view on the southern coast of Puerto RIco.

Areal view of a section of coastline in southern Puerto Rico.

Put your money where your heart is on your next vacation

All inclusive resorts and theme parks are amazing vacation options for families – sometimes they might even seem like the only option for you. But if you are open to thinking outside that box you can make a difference with a lasting impact.

We often talk about sustainable or ecotourism in SEVENSEAS, and for good reason. Spending your vacation dollars with a reputable company on a photo safari can help safeguard that patch of wilderness, diving over a reef is directly funds its protection, and visiting an animal sanctuary finances the rehabilitation or breeding efforts of countless animals. In this October issue we talk about sustainable tourism in Palau and in Northern Samar of the Philippines. In both cases the local community and biodiversity directly benefit from foreign visitors.

At a minimum, smart and sustainable tourism will in some capacity invest in a local community through lodging, eating local food, and hopefully by purchasing holiday gifts from people who will really benefit from the sale. In the case of the southeastern United States this season, and scores of locations across the globe, those same vacation dollars can help rebuild a ravaged locality.

Where to vacation in the next twelve months

For friends in the United States I am personally keeping my eye on Puerto Rico. We are still in early stages with so little communication, no knows the full extent of the devastation. Once electricity returns along with safe roads and mobile phone service I am sure there will be volunteer groups heading down to help clean, replant, and rebuild. I cannot think of a better way to spend a week to escape cold winter up north.

Aside from Puerto Rico there are dozens of other areas in and around the United States that could use tourism dollars- and most are quite close to the beach. If volunteering on your vacation does not seem like an ideal holiday, it is still fine to plant yourself in the sun with a margarita, just choose your accommodations wisely so you help that local economy.

Not a bad idea to suggest your company hold its next annual meeting at a conference space in Houston. Or how about bringing some business to a dive shop in Florida? Travel just a little farther and you will see Cuba, areas of Mexico, and lots of the Caribbean that can benefit just as much.

Looking past the current destruction from natural disasters, there are hundreds of other destinations across the globe to pick from where a hotel, souvenirs, and a dinner or two will leave a much needed impact on a local business.

What is sustainable tourism

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), sustainable tourism should: 1. Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural resources and biodiversity. 2. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance. 3. Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.

Development guidelines and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments.

From camping to luxury resorts, there is a version of sustainable tourism for just about any budget.

Benefits of sustainable tourism.

The most significant and immediate metric of success is the economic benefit of increased tourism, from foreign exchange earnings, employment opportunities, government revenue, and local businesses.

With well directed sustainable tourism there is the opportunity for female empowerment through diversified employment and a new revenue stream to carry younger family members through education. Done correctly, it should also aim to preserve cultural tradition and ways of life.

From an environmental perspective this sort of tourism puts value to ecosystems other than harvesting biodiversity and natural resources. It is also known to provide education to local communities by teaching the value of preserving their natural world. Sustainable tourism can also be a determining factor in the support of protected areas, parks, and national monuments.

Volunteers at a sunset beach camp fire.

So travel, and do it the right way

If you have any questions or need some inspiration for a destination, flip through past issues. Under the “Trips” tab of our website there are a few tour groups and companies that we like. If that still doesn’t work, shoot me an email at giacomo@sevenseasmedia.org and I can try to point you in the right direction. Well directed expenses on a vacation can go a long way in people’s lives.

Join the SEVENSEAS Media Community

SEVENSEAS Media is the leading free resource that promotes marine conservation through community engagement, online media, and eco-tourism, with readers in 174 countries. With the particularly brutal effects of climate change we are witnessing through floods and storms, we are asking you to please keep SCIENCE at the forefront of your conversations with family, friends, and colleagues. Encouraging them to subscribe to free products and programs like SEVENSEAS Media actually makes a difference by promoting scientific discussion and shining a spotlight on the good work of our partners in conservation.

Safe travels & happy swimming,

Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief

Portrait of Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director or SEVENSEAS Media

Giacomo Abrusci on top of the highest mountain in Bukhansan National Park in Seoul, SouthKorea. The peaks Baegundae, Insubong, and Gungmangbong, within the boundaries of national park and attract five million visitors a year. This was a super cool hike and conveniently metro accessible!

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Brazilian Government signs up to UN Clean Seas campaign

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Issue 30 - 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.

ECO-TRAVEL DEALS

Be sure to mention SEVENSEAS Media for special rates and discounts when making your inquiry.

1. Oceanic Society Expeditions.

See this “Senegal: African Manatee and Turtle Conservation” trip plus many others in the new 2017-2018 Expeditions Catalogue.

2. 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…

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

Imagine roaming some of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems. Gorgeous vistas, affordable travel and amazing memories; immersing yourself in the sounds of nature.

6. SEE Turtles.

…protect endangered turtles throughout Latin America and the world by supporting community-based conservation efforts through ecotourism, education, and Billion Baby Turtles.

7. Bodhi Surf & Yoga Camp.

…a surf and yoga camp located in Bahia Ballena, Osa, Costa Rica.

8. Pete Oxford Expeditions.

We offer unique, small group expeditions for travelers and photographers to remote and pristine destinations and cultures around the world.

Spirit Bear Cover Image By Douglas Neasloss

Issue 30 - 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!

wildlife crime tech challenge logo

USAID logo

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Issue 30 - 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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