This is shaping up to be a big year for OceansWatch as we make progress on our goal of “Saving the Ocean – one reef at a time."It is thanks to the sponsorship of UAEs bid to host the World Expo in 2020 that Magic Roundabout is on her way to the Pacific with Helen Beswick, Carla Deane, Andy Clarkson and Shannon Hurley.It is that time of year when all our volunteers are working like crazy to get the last minute things ready for the departure of the two OceansWatch vessels which will be working in the Pacific during the New Zealand winter.
This is Amick Houssaune filling boxes with first aid supplies for the communities that we will visit. Thanks to Medical aid abroad for donating the supplies for these and to Circa Marine (builders of Dashew yachts) for making the boxes. We are still looking for yachts heading from Opua to Port Vila to help deliver these boxes. Email operations@oceanswatch.org if you can help.
On Wednesday Magic Roundabout left Opua bound for Vanuatu. On board are Shannon Carla , two young graduates heading off for a life- changing experience as they work with communities in these remote islands to help them manage their dwindling fish resources. We have recently been well treated by Customs who have granted us an extension of the length of time Magic Roundabout can stay in New Zealand.
It can be very hard to show that we are actually achieving success towards sustainability, especially to hard nosed grant making bodies. They want the hard facts, comprehensive surveys costing thousands of dollars that frankly OceansWatch would rather spend on grass roots conservation. Yet there are other ways to show our impact................
We are trying to organise a three yacht expedition in 2013 to ensure we can visit all the communities that have requested our assistance. That would involve two lead boats going to Vanuatu and then the Solomon Islands and one lead boat staying in Northern Vanuatu. Other cruising yachts will join us where they feel they can support us best. If you have marine biology or diving skills you can offer please look at our