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From: CHRIS BONE
_: 5
Date: 17-02-10
Time: 08:15
OceansWatch International Update Hello! Many apologies for being out of radio contact for the past few months, as our lead project boat Magic Roundabout and its crew were wrapping up in Papua New Guinea and sailing down the coast of Australia promoting OceansWatch. Since December, we have been working hard in the office preparing for this years project, which is where you all come in! Once again, we are looking for members with yachts keen to get involved with our ongoing projects in Vanuatu this coming season. We will be giving ReefCheck training to snorkellers and divers early in the season, possibly again mid-season if there is enough demand. With this training, members will be able to assist with follow-up reef surveys in the communities that were visited last year. We will be working closely with the Vanuatu Environment and Fisheries Departments, as we have established an effective relationship with them. Therefore, we are also looking for boats willing to host some of our more qualified volunteers and local Fisheries staff who could then have the opportunity to work individually on small side projects of their own. This was done last year with huge success, thanks to our volunteers Natalie, Lindsey and Emily and the OceansWatch members who hosted them!
There will be lots of interaction with the local communities as we deliver school supplies and engage them in all aspects of our work. This is important, as capacity building is paramount to creating successful sustainable livelihoods. There may also be an opportunity to support a canoe-building project in Malakula being run by one of our OceansWatch members.
Project lead boat Magic Roundabout will be in Vanuatu from early May until late November, so if you can help at any point during the season please contact us as soon as possible at Chris@oceanswatch.org. We are looking for marine biologists, divers, sailors, education specialists, members with yachts, or any other various skills that may be helpful. Another opportunity you may be interested in getting involved with is our pending cetacean-watching program in Fiji. For those with a real sense of adventure, our recently donated Polynesian voyaging canoe will be heading from New Zealand to Shanghai on a climate change awareness project in mid-April. More to come very soon.
There may also be opportunities in the Solomons and Papua New Guinea, as project details are still being hashed out. We will keep you updated once we know more. But make sure to act fast if you want a guaranteed spot by emailing ASAP.
Last changed: 23-Jul-2011