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  • January 20, 2012
    Happy New Year - Plans for 2012

    Wishing everyone a great year in 2012.

    MPA survey site. OceansWatch is gettting into its planning for the next year. One of our main projects this year will be at the Reef Islands, Solomon Islands. Building on our visits in 2010 and 2011 OceansWatch will work with the communities of the Reef Islands, the Temotu Fisheries department and Temotu Provincial government to create an approximately 30,000ha Marine Managed Area (MMA) which shall incorporate a network of 5-10 community no-take Marine Protected Areas(MPAs). Read more in our Newsletter.

  • December 16, 2011
    Successful Education Day

    Before the crew from the Cat Knapp Expedition went their separate ways OceansWatch Australia held an education day at Mooloolaba Marina.

    There were talks by Chris Bone (CEO) Kym Lincolne and Lisa Blairs mother, and an instructional session on sailing and two of the skippers took out lots of members for a sail.

     

     

  • December 5, 2011
    OceansWatch Skipper rescues yacht

    Chris Bone, OceansWatch CEO and skipper of Cat Knapp recently rescued a local day sailor.  The small yacht had four freezing backpackers aboard and was seen struggling as Cat Knapp entered a harbour in Australia, in very strong winds.  Chris said "it was a great opportunity to put rescue theory into practice and after it went like clockwork it left the crew excited and proud on their last day aboard"  Cat Knapp is staying in Australia over the cyclone season before our next Pacific expedition.

  • October 25, 2011
    Latest Newsletter reviews season in Vanuatu

    Our 2011 season in the Pacific is coming to a close. Cat Knapp  is in Madang after  time in Karkar Island. Thanks for all your interest and support.  Despite a few early setbacks and a late start we have achieved our main objectives in the communities we visit. The latest OceansWatch Newsletter provides a summary of our season in Vanuatu.

     

     

     

     

     

    Checking for coral bleaching using a CoralWatch chart.

     

     

  • September 1, 2011
    Latest news from the team in the Solomon Islands

    Marking the MPA in Rennell in 2010The team have spent time in Tuo, in the Santa Cruz Islands of the Solomon Islands where the Temotu Province fisheries officer was keen for OceansWatch to work setting up Marine Protected Areas with all the coastal communities in the Province.

    They are now recently arrived in Rennell Island in the south of the Solomon Islands and keen to get working to see if the Marine Protected Area that was created last year has been successful.

     

     

     

     

  • September 20, 2011
    Progress in the Solomon Islands

    Bags made in Rennell IslandIt’s been a busy couple of months on ‘Cat Knapp’ as she sailed from New Zealand to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. We are currently coming to the end of a week of repairs, restocking and meetings in Honiara before we depart for Papua New Guinea. Despite the lack of comforts such as refrigeration onboard, it’s been an amazing adventure and we have been enjoying doing our part for marine conservation and community development in these remote parts of the world.

    Chris has had a number of meetings this week with government, fisheries and contacts from the villages. We have also met with other non-government organizations to look for synergies in how we can support each other and work together. It has been a productive week promoting OceansWatch’s work within the Solomon Islands. It’s exciting to be invited to new communities and to be developing good relationships with Solomon Islands’ authorities as word spreads about our marine conservation and community development work.  For more information read our latest Newsletter.

  • August 5, 2011
    Collecting Cans and COTS in Vanuatu

    Rachel, Grace and Noelle on Magic RoundaboutThe communities in Vanuatu have been very happy to have their annual visit from OceansWatch.  They have involved  the team aboard Magic Roundabout in  various projects from collecting cans for a new recycling venture, part of dealing with the big rubbish problem, to collecting Crown of Thorn Starfish (COTS).  These starfish can become a plague and destroy the reefs when their predators have been taken.  Read more in our latest newsletter.

    Lead yacht Cat Knapp  arrived safely in Port Vila and is now on her way to the Solomon Islands.Humpback Book

     

     

     

    A new and exciting book is available through OceansWatch - Humpback Whales of the South West Pacific by Glenn Edney, who is the Marine Mammal Advisor for OceansWatch.

  • July 20, 2011
    Cat Knapp on way to Vanuatu

    Cat Knapp left New Zealand on Saturday 16th headed for Vanuatu for a very late start to her expedition. 

    The teaMagic Roundaboutm on Magic Roundabout have been visiting communities in Southern Vanuatu as they work with the Vanuatu Environment department to create Community Conservation Areas to ensure the villages have sustainable fish resources for the future. 

    We have taken on most of the crew that we need but anyone who would love to experience doing marine conservation work from a yacht are welcome to send us their resume to start making connections with us.  Please send to julia@oceanswatch.org

    Yachts still wanted in August for Niue Whale Watching  

    to learn more read our latest newsletter.

  • June 25, 2011
    New Wharram Lead Yacht

     Catknapp

     A 38' Wharram catamaran is to lead our  marine conservation work in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.  Chris Bone (CEO) has always thought a Wharram design catamaran would be the best design for working in the island communities due to its simple polynesian lines and low cost.

    Volunteers required:We are still looking for at least one crew member for 2011. Skills in marine biology, diving or sailing required.

    OceansWatch has also just signed an MOU with Vanuatu Environment Ministry read more in the latest newsletter.

  • June 3, 2011
    Project lead yacht leaves New Zealand for Vanuatu

    It’s been all go here in New Zealand for the past few weeks as we prepared to head to Vanuatu on our beautiful lead yacht Magic Roundabout.
    After a short stay in Whangarei town basin, MR sailed up to Opua in the Bay of islands.
    After two days in Opua, she finally left New Zealand on Friday 27th May with: Ian our so patient skipper, Grace the project leader, Rachel the dive master and Jen our film maker!


    You can follow the expedition on www.oceanswatch.org/vanuatu