SEACOLOGY E-NEWS UPDATE

Project Updates

SEYCHELLES, Mahe and Cousin Islands
Signage and composting toilets for the Cousin Island Special Reserve; and refurbishment of the Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles visitors center at Roche Caiman in support of a 7.5-acre reclaimed wetland

Executive Director Duane Silverstein recently led a delegation of Seacology donors on an expedition to visit our projects on Cousin and Mahe Islands in the Seychelles. Cousin Island became the world's first internationally-owned reserve when it was purchased in 1968 by what is now Birdlife International. In 2002 Seacology funded demarcation buoys for the Cousin Island Marine Reserve, which includes the granitic island as well as 437 yards of surrounding sea and reefs. Recently, to mitigate the effect of staff and visitors to the island, local NGO Nature Seychelles began a project to implement integrated, environmentally-friendly utilities. Earlier this year, Seacology approved funding for one aspect of this project – eight composting toilets and signage to enhance the experience of visitors and reduce environmental impact on the island. The delegation reported that signage and mooring buoys have been installed and are functioning properly.

The Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles, an NGO for young people, was formed in 1994 to promote conservation action through environmental education. To better accommodate the growing number of visitors to the center, Seacology funded various improvements including a redesign of the exhibition hall, displays regarding different ecosystems, a library corner, art section, audio-visual equipment and more in support of the 7.5-acre reclaimed wetland on Mahe Island. At the time of the delegation’s visit, the visitor's center had been repainted and redesigned. (Pictured are Duane Silverstein and Nirmal Shah, chief executive of Nature Seychelles, outside the Wildlife Clubs of the Seychelles visitor's center.)

Full Cousin Island 2009 Project Description
Full Cousin Island 2002 Project Description
Full Mahe Island Project Description

VANUATU, Marou Community, Emau Island, North Efate, Shefa Province
Completion of a kindergarten building and equipment in exchange for a 32-acre no-take marine reserve, and the establishment of a 300-acre terrestrial reserve for a minimum duration of 10 years

The kindergarten building has been completed and provides a nurturing environment for the village’s young children. The community has formed a committee which regularly monitors the reserves and meets four times a year to discuss conservation issues. They have started a tagging project whereby members of the community and tourists alike bring turtles to an assigned community member who tags and releases them. Since the project’s inception in 2006, approximately 100 turtles have been tagged. Reef checks conducted by the village have shown an increase in the variety and quantity of lobsters, oysters, fish species, clams, shells, crabs and corals which inhabit the marine and mangrove areas. The villagers have also observed an increase in the number of birds in the forest reserve.

Full Project Description

Environmental Enforcement on Islands

Seacology projects are often located on some of the world’s most remote and poorest islands. These islands receive little to no oversight by their national governments, yet many have retained traditional ways of enforcing laws and regulations. On a recent site visit to the community of Marou in Vanuatu (see Project Updates), Seacology Senior Program Officer, Karen Peterson, became acquainted with such traditional island systems. Schoolboys from the village had trespassed into the marine protected area (pictured) and harvested 80 pieces of Trochus, a species of snail whose shell is commercially exploited to make mother of pearl buttons, pearl beads and other jewelry. Upon being informed of this incident, the chief of the village fined the boys a pig, a sack of Kava, 15 mats and 10,000 units of the local currency. In order to avoid the fine the boys promptly returned all of the snails which they had taken.

At Seacology we understand that islands have traditional methods of law enforcement which have evolved throughout time to meet the needs of the community and fit their cultural norms. These traditional methods are often more effective compared to modern laws of enforcement because islanders can easily relate to and abide by them. Seacology respects these customary ways with which island communities govern themselves, and we collaborate with islanders so that they may maintain and utilize their own means of enforcing forest and marine preserves.

Duane Silverstein is an Oakland A's "All-Star Among Us"

Seacology Executive Director Duane Silverstein has been selected by you to represent the Oakland A’s at the 2009 MBL All-Star Game! The “All-Stars Among Us” campaign is a partnership between Major League Baseball and People Magazine to recognize everyday heroes who are making a difference in their communities. A total of 30 individuals, one representing each Major League Club, have been chosen to attend the All-Star Week festivities in St. Louis and will be honored in a pre-game ceremony on July 14, 2009. Duane was nominated from a pool of more than a thousand individuals and was chosen by public vote from among 3 honorees to represent the Oakland A’s. We would like to thank everyone for voting for Duane - this is indeed a great opportunity to inform the public about Seacology and will hopefully generate more support for our vital conservation work.

Seacology Prize Winner Announced

Each year, the Seacology Prize is awarded to an indigenous islander for exceptional achievement in preserving the environment and culture of any of the world’s 100,000 islands. The Prize highlights the heroic efforts by people who seldom receive any publicity – indigenous leaders who risk their own lives and well-being to protect their island's ecosystems and culture. Since the inception of the Prize in 1992, Seacology has given the award to 18 native islanders in recognition of their innovative and courageous work. The 2009 Seacology Prize winner is Filip Damen, a customary landowner and community organizer from Wanang Province, Papua New Guinea.

Under local pressure to exploit timber resources through lucrative contracts with logging companies, Mr. Damen led a group of Wanang clans to sign a historic deed in 2000, binding them in their refusal to cut 25,000 acres of diverse rainforest. Mr. Damen organized the community to provide accommodations for ecologists to study the biodiversity of Wanang as an economic alternative to logging. As the landowners surrounding Wanang opted for logging, Filip founded the first protected research natural area within a timber concession, helping to strike a balance between forest preservation and local economic development. He taught himself to read and write in order to understand how he could save his forest, and recently led the community to build the first-ever elementary school in the area. For his truly noble efforts, Mr. Damen will be awarded the $10,000 Prize and honored at a ceremony in San Francisco, CA on October 8, 2009.

Spotlight on Seacology's Fellows

The Seacology Fellows Program was created to honor committed donors who contribute $2,000 or more per year. Along with our board members, contributions from fellows fund the ongoing operations of Seacology. The Program provides key support to Seacology and allows us to continue to expand our vital conservation programs. We are pleased to spotlight the following fellows.

John and Betty Ann Altman – John and Betty Ann have been loyal supporters and Seacology Fellows since 2003. They became aware of Seacology through a close friend, Seacology Fellow Phyllis Friedman, who informed them of our annual expeditions. They participated in Seacology’s 2004 expedition to Madagascar (pictured right), where they showed great enthusiasm for the island’s unique beauty and culture. Residents of Aptos, California, John and Betty Ann are active community members and benefactors of the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.

Seacology Welcomes New Field Representative for the Caribbean

Seacology is excited to welcome our new field representative for the Caribbean, Mykl Clovis. Mykl has worked on environmental conservation projects in the Caribbean for the last eight years and is now based on the island of Antigua as an independent consultant. She works primarily in the areas of wildlife conservation, sustainable tourism and project management, and is an active volunteer with local NGOs and community organizations. She holds a Masters degree in Coastal Management from York University, Toronto. As a Seacology field representative, she will identify and monitor projects on islands in Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, and St. Kitts, as well as the Nevis Region.

Upcoming Seacology Travel

French Polynesia ~ October 18-November 1, 2009

***BREAKING NEWS: Zegrahm Expeditions has a new offer for trip participants – 25% of trip costs will go directly to Seacology. Sign up today to cruise French Polynesia and support Seacology at the same time!***

Seacology will take part in Zegrahm Expeditions “Pearls of Polynesia” cruise to French Polynesia. We will be visiting legendary exotic, picturesque and romantic islands such as the Marquesas, Bora Bora, and Moorea. This voyage will take place aboard the 110-passenger, luxury adventure cruise ship, the Clipper Odyssey. This is the first ship-based excursion Seacology has ever offered that is equally suitable for divers and non-divers alike. There will be frequent opportunities to dive in such world-famous spots as Rangiroa and Fakarava, but be aware that aboard the Clipper Odyssey, diving is strictly limited to the first 16 people who sign up, so divers are well-advised to register for this trip as soon as possible. Non-divers will also enjoy the hiking, birding, snorkeling, zodiac trips, and other fun activities. On beautiful Cook’s Bay in Moorea we will be honored guests at the opening of the new Seacology-funded cultural center. This promises to be one of the biggest and most authentic Polynesian ceremonies in Moorea’s recent history.

More information about the French Polynesia trip

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