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Issue 27 - July 2017

Vamizi Island, a Cradle of Coral, provides a bastion of hope for people and biodiversity

Raphaelle Flint Raphaelle.flint@iucn.org

With the constant news about climate change causing mass coral bleaching and die offs, most recently recorded on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the South China Sea, good news is very welcome. Off the east coast of Africa and the northern tip of Mozambique lies the Hope Spot of the Quirimbas Islands, one of which is Vamizi. Local conditions here have allowed its reefs to remain a bastion of hope for the greater region.

Local children learning to fish sustainably © Mattias Klum

While ocean acidification and coral bleaching are always a threat, Vamizi’s location and the deep underwater channels allow it’s incredible corals to survive climate change better than elsewhere.   According to scientists, we are experiencing a third global bleaching event, now considered the longest and most widespread in recorded history. Indeed, in parts of the Indian Ocean, bleaching has affected coral by 60-90%.

Luckily, the waters around Vamizi are subject to circular water currents passing back and forth, encouraging a great abundance of food and biodiversity as well as keeping the water temperature cool. The reefs here are thus more resilient to stresses and continue to support over 230 species of corals and 400 fish. These are a vital source of food and livelihood for the island’s 1500 local and seasonal fishermen. In an effort to sustainably manage their remarkable reef, in 2006, the local fishing council created a community marine sanctuary. With help from Friends of Vamizi and international organisations like IUCN, WWF, ZSL and AndBeyond, the council continues to manage their sanctuary today.

Spawning coral credit ©Erwan Sola

The dotted line indicates the extent of the Community Marine Sanctuary

The island has attracted the attention of marine scientists like Dr. David Obura, Tessa Hempson, William Winram and Joana Trindade all of whom have been featured working on Vamizi’s reefs in an award-winning documentary- Vamizi- Cradle of Coral. In it, Dr. Obura- a renowned coral reef specialist refers to the Vamizi coral reefs as being in the “highest diversity region in the whole of the western Indian ocean.” He adds that it’s very likely that the reefs around Vamizi are a cradle of coral for the whole region- a mother reef. These globally significant reefs are a source of replenishment of other reefs – in this case of coral and fish that spread to other parts of Western Indian Ocean. Uniquely for the whole of Africa, mass spawning of coral has been observed and studied in the reefs of Vamizi, making them rare and exceptional, proving their importance as a source for other reefs.

The documentary by world renowned cinematographer Mattias Klum takes us on a journey to try to witness this event and the people who depend on the reef’s health. To the villagers here, whose largely traditional way of life is still catching fish, this improvement and stability has meant greater security for the future.

It is hoped that Mattias’s documentary will aid in this effort – to strengthen protection for the reefs and support for the community’s future prosperity.

Vamizi marine biodiversity © Mattias Klum

“The Vamizi Movie (Cradle of Coral) makes me realize how important our reefs are and how we can keep them alive by changing how we do our fishing.” – Quiniah Ali, the first Vamizi Island female student sponsored through the island’s secondary education scholarship program.

With a special position in the cooler currents of the Western Indian Ocean, its relative isolation from the mainland and great diversity, the Vamizi reefs have a unique chance at being resilient in the face of potentially catastrophic climate change.  In its capacity as a mother reef, it can provide hope for the reefs and people of the region.

Spawning coral credit © Mattias Klum

For more information contact Raphaelle Flint at Raphaelle.flint@iucn.org

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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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