Dear Listers

Earlier this year there was a debate on Coral List concerning the Chagos
Archipelago and the proposal by the UK Government to implement a Marine
Protected Area (MPA). Readers may recall that the indigenous population
was expelled in the 1960s to make way for the US Military Base on Diego
Garcia. Since that date the Chagossians have been denied a right of
abode and most recently had pursued their case to the European Court of
Human Rights (ECtHR). The case was due to be heard later this year.

On 1 April 2010 the former Foreign Secretary, David Milliband, announced
the UK’s intention to implement a MPA in the Chagos Archipelago. To date
no further action had been taken pending a Judicial Review of that
declaration by the Chagossians which was filed in the UK Courts in August.

In a remarkable about turn, the new Coalition Government revealed in a
letter from Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP dated 9 September that it is
abandoning its defence of the ECtHR case, “opting instead for a friendly
settlement” with the Chagossians. Furthermore the letter declared that
“The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, is also committed to a fair
settlement of this long-standing dispute. Steps have already been taken
to ensure their [Chagossians] return.”

This is wonderful news for everyone. It ensures that the Marine
Protected Area now has a real chance of being implemented, that the
islanders will be entitled to return and indeed could participate in the
enforcement of the MPA, preventing it from just becoming a “paper park”.
Although the concept of a complete “no-take zone” throughout the MPA,
and an archipelago devoid of any human habitation (apart from the
massive base on Diego) was attractive to certain conservationists and
heavily lobbied by some parties, it was also naive and patently unjust.
Although it is still early days and there will be many issues to be
resolved, we now have the opportunity to move forward with this
important decision, whilst including all the stakeholders.

In addition it has been announced that a Swiss billionaire, Ernesto
Bertarelli, and his British wife are in talks with the UK Government
about providing some of the funding which will be necessary to police
the MPA. It was feared that the spending cuts which the UK Government
has had to make might have prevented the implementation.  For the full
report see:
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/billionaire-saves-marine-reserve-plans-2077437.html

It is an important day for both conservation and human rights.

—
Richard P Dunne

_______________________________________________
Special thanks to:  Coral-List mailing list
Coral-List@coral.aoml.noaa.gov
http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list

http://acroporaspawn.blogspot.com/

All,
For three years we’ve had a blog to track the Caribbean Acropora
Spawning event – http://acroporaspawn.blogspot.com.  Please consider
posting your observations from this years event.  If you posted last
year, you should be able to post again this year.  If you would like to
be added to the blog, so that you can post, please email me at
jennifer.moore@noaa.gov.  You can post by email or mobile phone if you
set it up in advance here:
http://draft.blogger.com/blog-options-email.g?blogID=8665528881479697885.
I hope we have a successful spawn this year and look forward to your
observations.
Cheers,
Jennifer

**********************************************************************************************

Jennifer Ann Moore
ESA-listed Corals Listing and Recovery Coordinator
NOAA Fisheries Service
Southeast Region
263 13th Ave S
Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
(727)551-5797  office
(727)824-5309  fax
jennifer.moore@noaa.gov

To those who sacrificed careers of adventure in the wide-open spaces to wrestle for conservation in the policy arena.

Special thanks to Coral-list

The  deadline for proposals for symposia, workshops, and focus groups for the 2nd International Marine Conservation Congress/Making Marine Science Matter/, which will be held from 14-18 May 2011 at the Victoria Convention Centre, Victoria BC, Canada, is quickly approaching.  All proposals must be submitted by 5pm (GMT) on  31 August 2010.  You can find the proposal guidelines and link to the electronic submission page on the IMCC web site:  http://www.conbio.org/IMCC2011/.   For additional information contact the program committee at IMCCprogram@gmail.com.

We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you on this very exciting conference.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ellen Hines
Conference Chair
IMCC2Chair@gmail.com
Ms. Laura Joan Feyrer, Local Secretariat
IMCC.Victoria@gmail.com
cc: Dr. Chris Parsons, and Dr. John Cigilano
Scientific Programme Chairs

CONTACT:  N. Collingwood.
Lista de Correos s/n Antigua
E-35630 Las Palmas
Canary Islands, Spain
+34 690 162439
nigel@dive-macaronesia.eu

 
Project Macaronesia – Ecological Diving Adventures from the Azores to Cabo Verde
An exclusive live-aboard program with limited membership, Project Macaronesia will set sail later this year to explore pristine dive sites throughout the Macaronesian Archipelago of the eastern Atlantic seaboard.
FUERTEVENTURA, SPAIN – Project Macaronesia is set to offer its members a live-aboard diving experience combining exclusivity, adventure and outstanding value for money. It is a form of “time-share” diving based on a well-appointed motor sailing craft, the project will focus on ecologically-oriented diving well away from the masses, plying the waters of the “islands of the fortunate” – the Azores, the Salvage Islands, Madeira, the Canaries and Cabo Verde. The project has been structured to ensure that no more than eight participants will be on board at any given time, while guaranteeing its members at least 30 days on board per year over the five-year membership period. Membership is limited to 60 participants to ensure maximum flexibility and a relaxed, exclusive atmosphere.
In addition to seeking out ecological diving adventures in new, unknown locations of the Macaronesian Archipelago, Project Macaronesia will also focus on underwater photography. The goal here is to build a collection of images with which to provide educational opportunities and hands-on activities to raise the environmental awareness of children in the region – initially on Boa Vista, Cabo Verde, the island of nesting turtles.
The organizer, Nigel Collingwood, will be acquiring a suitable motor sailing vessel – 14 m (46 ft.) or larger with ten berths – in Florida in late 2010. Diving operations for the project’s founding members are set to commence in January 2011, initially in the Caribbean (South Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands) for six months. After crossing the Atlantic in summer 2011, the craft will be at home in the waters of the Macaronesian Archipelago – the Azores, Salvage Islands, Madeira, the Canaries and Cabo Verde. The project will be tentatively based in Lanzarote or Madeira, islands that are well-suited not only for their good air connections to Europe, but also the organizer’s extensive knowledge of their terrain and diving opportunities.
The organizer is currently seeking members from the UK, Germany and Spain. Twenty founding members are needed to launch the project.
Full members are guaranteed at least 30 days a year of flexibly scheduled access for five years. The price of a full membership for the first five years is €3,500.
Reduced memberships are also available, guaranteeing at least 15 days of access per year for five years for €2,000.
Guests accompanied by a member are welcome on board for only €300 (divers) or €200 (non-divers) a week – including food.
Based on a schedule of three dives per day, the cost per dive thus amounts to a mere €10 for members – truly unbeatable value for money. After the first five-year period has elapsed, memberships may be renewed for a further five years for only €1,500, alternatively €500 per year.
The project would also like to hear from any potential sponsors of 1-6 persons who would recieve a return over the first 5 years. Project base line is US70.000.
For more information, please visit www.dive-macaronesia.eu or contact the organizer, Nigel Collingwood, at nigel@dive-macaronesia.eu.
 
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER:
Nigel Collingwood was born in Brazil, grew up in England, spent many years in Germany, and currently lives on Fuerteventura. He has decades of experience as a NAUI/SAA diving instructor and has logged over 8,000 dives. Nigel is a dedicated underwater photographer who can look back on several exhibitions of his work in various countries. He is also a passionate environmentalist, devoted to protecting the oceans and their inhabitants. With this project, he would like to make a lasting contribution towards promoting awareness among the younger generation for this vital concern.

Special thanks to Nigel.

Dear Friends,
 
Summer is a great time to think beyond our overfishing work and learn about innovative initiatives in other parts of the marine world. Here are a few updates from colleagues in the state, regional, federal and even presidential realm:
 
1.       North Carolina launches online angler catch log. Earlier this month, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries launched an Internet-based electronic reporting system where anglers can log saltwater catches to help state fisheries managers with recreational fishing surveys. This is a great way for fishermen to contribute to conservation and management. For more information, visit the NC DMF website and click under Hot Topics.
 
2.       Scientists, managers develop fishery independent monitoring program. Recognizing the need for increased data, the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council convened a workshop last November to begin design of a multi-species, fishery independent survey program within the South Atlantic snapper grouper complex. Importantly, fishermen and other stakeholders took part in the workshop, the results of which can be viewed in the attached final report.
 
3.       NOAA wants your input on its strategic plan. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has been developing its Next Generation Strategic Plan, including its mission statement, vision of the future, long-term goals and five-year objectives. This is a great opportunity to weigh in on the future of how the U.S. manages its ocean resources-click here to provide feedback.
 
4.       Obama administration announces first National Ocean Policy. Last week the president signed an historic Executive Order that establishes a plan for conservation and sustainable use of U.S. ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources. The policy emphasizes ecosystem-based management and is an important step for the long-term health of our nation’s oceans and fish, as well as communities that depend on them. Please click here for more information. 
 
Please pass on other news of note that you think others should hear about in an upcoming newsletter. Until then, I hope you’re getting lots of time in and on the water this summer!
 
Leda
 
             
Leda Dunmire
Senior Associate, Campaign to End Overfishing in the Southeast  |  The Pew Charitable Trusts, Pew Environment Group
93 Marina Avenue, Key Largo, FL 33037
p: 305.393.0934  |  e: LDunmire@pewtrusts.org  |  www.sustainablesoutheastfisheries.org | www.pewenvironment.org