SEACOLOGY E-NEWS UPDATE

Project Updates

TANZANIA, Pemba Island
Infrastructure and trail development, information and marketing materials, and ecotourism initiatives for community conservation of the Pemba flying fox

Dishon Murage, Seacology’s East Africa Field Representative, recently returned from our Pemba project and reported that a women’s group has received training in basketry, beads making and pottery as alternative income generating activities. The women have begun producing baskets, with most of them being sold at Mkoani port. The group has also developed various designs of beads for necklaces, earrings, key holders and bracelets. As a result of the pottery training, various types and designs of pottery products including fumigation vessels (Vyetezo), cooking and water pots, are now being produced. The newly constructed visitor center is receiving visitors, and some of the revenue collected has been used for repairs to the center, nursery school and mosque. Sanitary facilities have been completed and are functioning properly. Tourists now have access to First Aid and Tour Guiding facilities with the support of local community members who received training with funding from Seacology.

Full Project Description

PHILIPPINES, Barangay Bagong Bayan, Roxas, Palawan
Rehabilitation of micro-hydro power generator in exchange for the protection and conservation of a 2,039-acre forest reserve (including 124 acres of mangroves) in perpetuity

Ferdie Marcelo, Seacology’s Field Representative for the Philippines, visited the project site on May 29 and was met by the village chief. He reported that the technical team returned to Bagong Bayan, Palawan on May 13, and is happy to announce that the installation and final testing of the micro-hydro power generator proved successful (pictured). The community held a project launching on May 19 in time for the barangay fiesta (community gathering) where municipal and barangay officials were invited as guests. The system has been fully-functioning and providing 140 households with hydro-powered electricity. Water still flows from the nearby waterfall despite some being diverted to the generator. The engineers are on-site to provide technical trainings to the local operators, and subsequently conduct technical turnover for its operation. He also visited the conservation area and informed us that the villagers are doing a great job of patrolling and protecting the watershed reserve.

Full Project Description

New Island Projects

Seacology’s Board of Directors held this year’s second board meeting on May 28, 2009 and approved 10 new island projects. Seacology now has a total of 194 projects on 110 islands all over the world. With the addition of the new projects, our conservation efforts will save a total of 1,982,508 acres of extremely vulnerable marine and terrestrial habitats.

Caribbean - WIDECAST “Bottle Beads” sustainable livelihood program in support of sea turtle conservation
Full Project Description

Fiji – Tokou Village, Ovalau Island, Lomaiviti Group: Construction of a community hall in exchange for a 365-acre marine reserve
Full Project Description

Indonesia – Benteng Dewa Village, Flores Island: Community health clinic in support of approximately 14,826 acres of no-take forest reserve
Full Project Description

Indonesia – Cunca Lolos Village, Flores Island: Village fresh water system in exchange for support of 12,355 acres of no-take forest reserve
Full Project Description

Indonesia – Mandalamekar Village, Java: Multi-purpose community building in support of replanting 72 acres and protecting a total of 267 acres of no-take rainforest
Full Project Description

Kenya – Kiweni Island, Lamu archipelago: Purchase of moorings for boundary demarcation and anchorage, snorkel gear, solar inverter system, communication and other equipment in exchange for the establishment of a 741-acre community managed marine conservation area for a minimum duration of 10 years
Full Project Description

Malaysia – Mudung Abun, Belaga District, Sarawak: Integrated community-based micro-hydro power system in support of 1,236 acres of watershed for 30 years
Full Project Description

Mexico – Seri tribe territory, Gulf of California: Environmental and information signage, and waste/recycling facilities, in support of the conservation of the 298,593-acre Tiburon Island and the 59,238-acre Canal Infiernillo
Full Project Description

Samoa – Satapuala village, Upolu Island: Construction of a community hall for school and village functions, and upgrading the village water supply in exchange for the establishment of a 1,600-acre marine conservation area (240 acres no-take) for a minimum duration of 15 years
Full Project Description

Vanuatu – Pentecost Island, Abwatuntora: Construction of a Nakamal (Chiefs’ meeting house) and two water tanks in exchange for extension of 185-acre fishing reserve for an additional 10 years
Full Project Description

Duane Silverstein a Finalist For Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Seacology executive director Duane Silverstein may not have a very good curve ball but he is a finalist for major league baseball’s forthcoming all-star game. People Magazine and Major League Baseball are teaming up to run a contest entitled All-Stars Among Us. The idea is to select one person whose work has benefited humankind, to represent each major league team at the All-Star game in July. Out of the thousands of nominations received Duane has been chosen as one of three finalists to represent the Oakland A’s. The winners will represent their respective teams at the All-Star game and People magazine will cover a select few. Moreover, it is quite likely that this can be used to generate significant exposure for the great work of Seacology.

Voting takes place from June 8-June 24 at www.peopleallstars.com. You need not be from Oakland to vote for Duane. Furthermore there is no limit to the number of times you can vote. Voting for Duane as often as you like would help Seacology get the word out about the extinction crisis on islands and help promote Seacology’s critical work.

Seacology Supports 1 Million More Acres!

In many developing countries around the around, government-established reserves remain unprotected due to the fact that the local community has not been informed of their existence, nor have they been consulted in the process of establishing these reserves. Seacology has worked closely with local islanders to get them to play an active role in protecting areas that were previously established as government reserves, but where local enforcement of environmental protections was either lax or nonexistent. With the addition of our newly-approved projects, Seacology has collaborated with local communities to support 1 million acres of previously unprotected (though legally existent) reserves. This total acreage is in addition to the 1,982,508 acres of marine and terrestrial reserves established by Seacology projects.

Spamalot Evening A Success!

The opening night of Monty Python’s Spamalot proved to be a great success for Seacology. The hilarious Tony® Award-winning musical opened in San Francisco on May 27 with Seacology staff and Board Members in attendance. A reception followed at Jardinière with original Monty Python member and author/composer of Spamalot Eric Idle (pictured right with Board Member Marsha Williams, Board Member Mike Burbank and supporter Cindy Roberts). As result of this fund-raising event, Seacology was able to raise $22,000 to continue our vital work. We would like to extend our deep gratitude to Seacology Board Member Marsha Williams for her great work in organizing this extremely rewarding and entertaining event.

Welcome to Seacology Scandinavia

Seacology continues to expand its reach with a new affiliate recently approved by Seacology’s Board of Directors. Seacology Scandinavia will be housed in Oslo, Norway, and will welcome board members from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. With affiliates already established in Germany, Japan and the U.K., Seacology is breaking new ground in promoting island conservation throughout the world.

In Memory of Didi Rakotondratsina

On May 31, 2009, we received distressing news that Seacology’s Field Representative from Madagascar, Demetri Rakotondratsina, had passed away. He died unexpectedly during a visit to one of his favorite places, the beautiful resort island of Nose Be (pronounced “noosy bay”) in the northern part of Madagascar on May 17.

Didi, as he was known by those close to him, was dedicated to bettering his beloved Madagascar and worked hard to promote its conservation. He spoke fluent French, English and Malagasy and had studied at the University of Antananarivo. He was certified in Ecotourism from the National Institute of Tourism and Hostelry. In addition to scouting projects for Seacology, Didi was also a tour guide who traveled frequently throughout his native country. He was the personal escort for Seacology’s 2008 expedition to Madagascar to view projects in St. Luce in the south and Andaside in the central highlands. The trip was greatly enriched by his fun-loving charismatic presence and appreciation for the Malagasy culture. Didi’s keen interest in the environment made him a natural as Seacology’s Field Representative on one of the world’s most ecologically significant and threatened islands. Everyone here at Seacology is tremendously saddened by this untimely loss for his family, friends, and Madagascar.

New Seacology Accounting Manager

After nine years of dedicated service to Seacology, Lisa Rosenthal is leaving to pursue a career as a teacher. Lisa’s instrumental work has resulted in sound fiscal management of Seacology’s finances. As a token of appreciation, Seacology’s Board of Directors awarded Lisa status as an Honorary Lifetime Fellow and presented her with a plaque at the recent board meeting. Lisa will begin teaching elementary school in the Bay Area in June 2009.

Seacology’s new Accounting Manager is Mary West. Mary manages Seacology’s financial activities and coordinates with field representatives to implement projects. Mary has more than a decade of experience in various financial management and consulting engagements at both for-profit and non-profit organizations. She has a BA in Visual Studies from University of California, Berkeley and an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio School of Management. At Presidio, Mary worked on a number of environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable projects, including performing financial & marketing analyses of alternatives to bottled water and disposable coffee cups, as well as developing a business plan for a renewable energy solutions provider in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

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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