Projects

Oceanswatch projects can be undertaken in a number of ways:

Oceanswatch initiated:

Our team is constantly on the lookout for where our resources can best help the marine environment and coastal communities. We liase with NGO’s, cruising yachtsmen, divers and investigate opportunities ourselves, through our wide networks and personal visits.

Member initiated:

Oceanswatch members are our eyes and ears. If an Oceanswatch member observes marine environmental degradation or a humanitarian need then they can work with Oceanswatch to address the situation. For approved projects Oceanswatch will act as facilitators and help provide resources to address areas of need.

Third party initiated:

Anyone can ask for Oceanswatch’s help. If you have a proposal that fits our criteria you are invited to submit it to us for consideration. How we help depends on the balance of resources between us. If you are an Aid organisation and need a yacht for a project then, if one of our fleet is available we can provide it. Perhaps your organisation has concerns about possible environmental problems and needs it investigated then maybe we can provide a yacht, scientists and dive team to investigate on your behalf. If you are you an Aid organisation that needs resources moved to remote Island communities we can help.

To receive a set of project application guidelines please email Chris Bone

Our boats will be available to any organisation that provides the following services:

	Marine mammal monitoring
	Humanitarian aid to coastal communities
	Marine ecosystem research and regeneration
	Research into the effects of global warming on marine systems
	Education and management towards sustainable fisheries

In addition to the above the boat will be available for charter to educational institutes at reduced rates and for private eco-tourism charter.

PROJECTS IN TONGA, VANUATU AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA 2008

Oceanswatch founder Chris Bone visited Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu in 2007 and has visited Tonga on many occasions. Educational resources and essentials such as reading glasses etc will be distributed in all the communities we visit in addition:-

Tonga

In Tonga OceansWatch will focus on monitoring reef health through the ReefCheck system.

Vanuatu

In Vanuatu the work will focus on reef health monitoring at Malekula Island, including the Maskelynes Island group and Banam Bay. 

Papua New Guinea

Karkar island will be the focus in PNG. Here we will undertake reef health monitoring and education at the local school. We will also be assisting the community look at alternative small businesses such as eco-tourism and small scale biodiesel production.

Philippines

OceansWatch team members Chris Bone, Juliet Savage and Melinda Taylor will be researching in the Philippines in June 2008