Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

OceansWatch needs volunteers to sail to the South Pacific

by Kim Renshaw/Sail-World Cruising on 13 Feb 2012
Solomon Islanders seek the help of OceansWatch volunteers SW
Do you have a yen to go ocean sailing and lack only the opportunity? OceansWatch, a marine conservation and sustainable development charity founded in 2007 in New Zealand and now spread to Australia and the USA, undertakes marine conservation projects and offers humanitarian aid to coastal communities in developing countries, primarily in the South Pacific - and they are looking for volunteers.

OceansWatch is joining forces with another Pacific Island community to establish a much needed Marine Protected Area (MPA) and management plan. OceansWatch are now recruiting for volunteers to travel by yacht to the Soloman Islands in 2012.

OceansWatch were approached by the Fenualoa Island community in the Temotu Province in the Solomon Islands.

The community and the charity first came together two years ago when help was needed to save their troubled fish stocks and their reef in 2010, OceanWatch CEO Chris Bone said.

'OceansWatch answered their call and helped them establish the goals for the communities and their fisheries,' he said.

The groups will work together with the Temotu Fisheries and Provincial Government to create the 30,000 hectare MMA (Marine Managed Area) over the next year.

OceansWatch will depart from Opua and Brisbane and sail up to the Solomon Islands where they will be based for 4 months. En route the yachts will stop for two weeks in Vanuatu for training, where one yacht will stay in Vanuatu for ongoing work.

'The yacht crews will consist of divers, marine biologists, community development specialists and skippers,' Mr Bone said. 'Volunteers who want to help communities in developing countries who have skills and a keen attitude to help can apply for a place on the trip as a volunteer.'

The 2012 project will focus on the creation of a network of ten no-take MPAs within a MMA surrounding Fenualoa Island. An MMA is much like a national park – an area protected and allowed to flourish.

'This is necessary for the sustainability of the fishery which provides the community with the bulk of their food, and for the protection of the precious reef ecosystem,' Mr Bone explained.

He added that protection of the world’s reefs is paramount to the health of our earth.

'As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere increase and acidity in the oceans rise, the reefs are suffering damage and dying off. Reefs provide oxygen equal to rainforest (per square metre) through photosynthesis – so protection of reefs is protection of the world's oxygen supply.'


The physical supplies and scientific input required to create such a huge area will be provided by OceansWatch, such a buoys and ropes.

OceansWatch and the community undertake surveys of their reef to analyse the changes in the reef and the state of the fisheries.

'This manual work is integral to the management of marine areas and is the key to the ongoing success of an MMA/MPA,' said Mr Bone.

'During the 2010 visit the community expressed concern about their water supply, which seemed to be getting saltier,' Mr Bone added.

The charity’s scientists undertook testing, which confirmed the high salinity of some of their drinking wells and this year, further research will be undertaken and the safest places for drinking water identified for the community.
Oceans Watch website

Switch One DesignCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER

Related Articles

Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 4
All on the line Sunday as American Magic Quantum Racing seek to close out eighth world title After three spectacular races today on Cascais, Portugal's showcase high winds arena, Doug DeVos' seven times world title winners American Magic Quantum Racing lead into the final day of the 2025 Rolex TP52 Worlds with a hard earned five points buffer.
Posted on 5 Jul
Registration open for Annapolis to Bermuda Race
A2B covers 753 nm from the heart of the Chesapeake Bay to the island paradise of Bermuda The organizing committee of the Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race (A2B) is pleased to announce that registration for the 2026 edition of this iconic offshore sailing event sponsored by Mustang Survival is officially open!
Posted on 5 Jul
North launches new Wingfoil Race Collection
Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace Pinch even higher and reach even deeper at pace. Engineered with a VMG-optimised partial double skin for improved aerodynamic efficiency, lower drag and precise manoeuvres at higher speeds.
Posted on 5 Jul
AEGEAN 600 Attica Warm-Up Race
5th edition sets sail with strong winds and signature Greek hospitality Under perfect sunny skies and brisk northerly winds, the 5th edition of the annual AEGEAN 600 kicked off with a flawless start both on and off the water.
Posted on 4 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D5
Stage set for Finals showdown in Marstrand With just one day to go at the 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy, the stage is set for a thrilling finale in both the Open and Women's classes.
Posted on 4 Jul
Sam Goodchild in the Course des Caps
The final phase is full of potential pitfalls Sam Goodchild, the British skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance who has been dominating the IMOCA round Britain and Ireland race since the start of the third day, says the goal now is to focus on the complex finishing section.
Posted on 4 Jul
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 2
Light breeze, boat park buzz and big wins off the water >Day 2 brought lighter winds to Lake Garda, but the energy around the event stayed sky-high.
Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais day 3
French tour de force gives Paprec world championship lead As the Rolex TP52 World Championship passed its midway point today in Cascais, Portugal it is the French underdogs on Paprec, led by ocean racing legend Loïck Peyron, which has taken the overall lead.
Posted on 4 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again?
Posted on 4 Jul
International Moth Worlds begin this weekend
Pre-Worlds are under way at Malcesine From 6 to 13 July 2025, the 2025 Moth World Championship officially gets under way, hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine and preceded by the Pre-Worlds on 4 and 5 July. The event marks the culmination of three weeks entirely dedicated to foiling.
Posted on 4 Jul