Deeper Into Conservation

 

Conservation : the act of keeping free from depletion, decay or injury. Wise management or maintaining.

 

To be a conservationist, as we here at OceanNEnvironment know, is to be a lot of things. It is truly amazing the number and diversity of plights, roles and actions that are lumped under this one, very broad term. So just what is in a word? What does it really mean to say - I am a conservationist?

 

Entertainers

 

As conservationist we realise that people only care to preserve that which they love and respect. Entertainment is a proven way to instil, in people, such emotions and desires. We may not juggle oranges or shoot ourselves out of cannons but non-the less we are entertainers.

 

Example

    Celebrate the Sea Marine Imagery Festival to be held in Kuala Lumpur in July 2003. The non-stop array of activities includes photo competitions, children’s painting competitions, photographic workshops, static exhibitions, the latest dive equipment, digital innovations, documentary screenings, galleries and seminars by some of the worlds leading underwater image-makers. By celebrating the exquisite beauty of the sea, we hope to not only entertain and inspire, but most importantly to motivate people to take action.

 

info@celebratethesea.com

 

Parents

 

Many conservationists are parents and with adoption a very popular option, our children often look nothing like us.

 

Example

What could be more satisfying than adopting a whole family of children, watching your little ones peck their way from their shells and scuttle, tumble and roll their way down to the ocean? This is exactly what DOTNAP -Turtle Adoption Program in Derawan, Indonesia offers those willing to pay $25. In a cordoned off site, a nest is named after the parent and helps to give turtle hatchlings a chance, raise money to tag mating adults and buy back eggs collected by locals. Since 1977 more than 17000 hatchlings have been released.

 

 

 

Secretaries

In the battle of lobbying, conservationists often come up against the old saying, “why change something is it is not broken.” This is where it becomes essential to be collectors and sorters of information, data and statistics, as often these are our only weapons.

 

Example

Despite being nearly extinct in many Southeast Asian waters, governments remain unwilling to protect the Napoleon Wrasse by making cyanide fishing illegal and outlawing the Live Reef Fish Trade. Hindering any progress is the lack of information about these majestic creatures.  NAPWATCH – a monitoring program encourages divers to report sitings of Napoleon Wrasses, the size, markings, location… By individually identifying each fish we are able to create a database - a weapon.

Teachers

In just a decade, the youths sitting in classrooms today will be the new leaders of tomorrow. Children have always been agents of change and by providing them with knowledge we have the ability to empower them, let them know that their voices are important and should be heard.

 

Example

The Save Our Sharks program informs children about the plight of sharks through the hero SARSEU. Having lost his parents he is told by a wise old man, “big sharks, little sharks, mom and dad sharks, auntie and uncle sharks, son and daughter sharks, hundreds and millions of sharks are killed each year.” Children are encouraged to secure Say No to Shark Fin Soup pledges from their parents and family in our reward program.

 

 

 

Politicians

Throughout history when the going gets tough the politicians turn to the grass roots of their support. Conservationists use this tactic as well. Laws, prohibitions, regulations all mean nothing if you do not have the support of the local people.

 

Example

Intrepid scientists claim to have discovered the richest reefs in the world – Raja Ampat. Here you can find pristine reefs, brilliant giant clams, a different fish every five seconds…But illegal fishing and tourist influxes are threatening its beauty. In a documentary that will be donated to Indonesian Television, OceanNEnvironment highlights the importance of keeping the locals involved and happy if any regulations on sustainable use of resources are to work.

 

Wedding Planners

When it comes to saving our oceans for our future generations to enjoy, opportunities can turn up in the most unlikely places.

 

Example

At least 40 sharks are killed for one Chinese wedding. Looking to find a way to avoid such unnecessary slaughter BJ Tan and Geraldine approached OceanNEnvironment. In response we now provide couples with a “why we are not serving shark fin tonight” greeting card/letter package. It explains that shark fin has no nutritional value, the taste comes from chicken stock, it has more mercury content than aphrodisiac value and will eventually lead the extinction of these apex predators.

Nerds and Beach Bunnies

Many of us are nerds – experts specialising in Marine Science, but at least we know how to organise our conferences in style – beach bunny style that is.

 

Example

Since 1996 OceanNEnvironment has organised the annual Sea Life Festival, a week long conference that includes lectures, workshops, reef patch surveys… But instead of a conference hall and fluorescent lighting we chose to flock to exotic, tropical locations such as Mimpi Resort, Maldives, Derawan and Exmouth. Here we feast on buffets, watch sea life videos at the bar that overlooks our infinity pool and roll out of our air conditioned bungalows and straight into some of the best dive spots in the world.  And to top it all off the photography competitions have cash prizes as well as more trips to splendid locations.

 

Bankers

Most people associate conservationists with their requests for monetary donations. And yes, without the help of our supporters, we would achieve nothing. What supporters rarely see, however, is where their donations end up.

 

Example

Ever heard of the poor student syndrome, well it is the same for those studying in the hope of saving our oceans. So we set up a small grant program where USD$500-1000 is given to PHD students researching sea turtles, coral reef diseases, the live reef fish trade…We also have the ‘local’ student scholarship encouraging Indonesians to pursue tertiary studies in marine science and conservation with a AUS$1000 grant. It is the students of today that will be the saviours of tomorrow.

Psychologists

Conservation and diving tourism are in fact not compatible. Divers will, intentionally or not damage the reef every time they explore the underwater world. We have two choices, shut up shop or change our ways – alter our mindsets.

 

Example

One easy way to help preserve the beauty beneath the waves it to only dive with companies that have the same goals. To make your choice easier, there is OceanNEnvironment’s Green Resorts/Liveaboard Recognition program. These resorts abide to 21 ‘green’ guidelines set out by scientists, conservationists and supporting NGO associates. Alternately resorts are encouraged to entertain and educate guests on how to protect the ocean, with our Tropical Reef Ecology Program consisting of notes, references and magnificent slides from world famous photographer Michael Aw.

 

Believers

Whether we are inventing artificial reefs using mineral accretion in the Maldives, embarking on a research expeditions, collecting driftwood to help local communities or raising money to save a Napoleon Wrasse from slaughter at a Chinese Restaurant, one thing all conservationists are, is believers. We love the ocean and believe that people can change so that future generations don’t have to go to a museum to experience what we have.

 

 

For information on any of the programs mentioned email oneocean@OceanNEnvironment.com