Browsing Tag

Turtles

Sea Shepherd Launches in the U.A.E.

Posted on January 2, 2018

Talking to Natalie Banks, head of the newly regionalised branch of infamous global activist’s Sea Shepherd, it’s hard not to get as passionate as her when you discuss the plight of the ocean and the issues these eco-warriors face on a daily basis when it comes to marine conservation, but they have officially launched in the U.A.E., as an awareness group, aiming to unite with governmental organisations here to help drive forward the changes needed.

What does Sea Shepherd do exactly

Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organisation. Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd aims to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of marine life in the world’s ocean in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and marine species. Sea Shepherd has 12 vessels which it uses to get mainly volunteer crew on the high seas to investigate, document and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities and to stop these operations. By safeguarding the biodiversity of delicately balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations.

What are your plans for the U.A.E.

Sea Shepherd in the United Arab Emirates is currently running two campaigns;

Marine Debris focused on the removal of plastics and litter from beaches as well as growing awareness of the sustainable products available that can replace single-use plastics. Sea Shepherd has a strong relationship with suppliers like Keep-Cup that people can use instead of the traditional take-away coffee cup for example.

Apex Harmony, focused on the awareness of shark conservation and the important role sharks play in keeping oceans healthy.

Sea Shepherd UAE is also working on a dolphin conservation awareness campaign with plans to roll these out to both adults and children in 2018.

What are the current issues facing the region?

One of the biggest issues facing marine conservation globally is the issue of plastic debris. Micro-Plastics are even being found in sea salts and in fish which humans then go on to eat. It is toxic and harmful to both marine life and human beings, with the consumption of plastics being attributed to breathing problems, infertility, cancer and even death.

There is also a disconnect regarding the awareness of the benefits marine animals provide humans. Sharks ensure coral reefs aren’t constantly riddled with algae, whale poop actually has been shown to offset carbon in the atmosphere, making the air humans breathe cleaner and healthier.

How can we get involved if we want to?

Sea Shepherd UAE aims to build connections between residents and the local marine life. The organisation is purely volunteer based and anyone with a passion for marine conservation can join. Those interested can send an expression of interest to uaeadmin@seashepherdglobal.org and they can keep up to date with our activities by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Sea Shepherd UAE.

I’m living in the gorgeous merchandise I picked up at RIPE market, like the Gypsea one piece and hoodie with their famous skull and harpoon logo on it, and I love it when others recognise the effort and high five you mid walk. Get involved people.

travel

Kandolhu Maldives: A Boutique Escape

Posted on March 3, 2017

Hopping around the Maldives has to be on pretty much every traveller’s bucket list, so spending only a day at this lovely boutique resort in the North Ari Atoll was bittersweet. Only 70 kilometres south west of Male, it’s the smallest of all the islands i’ve visited, Kandolhu and has around 30 luxury retreats, including 11 on the water. This lovely little hotspot can be reached by boat or seaplane and is the quintessential, Maldivian slice of island paradise. They say that even in the Maldives, an island as perfectly formed as this one is rare.

The only thing on my mind as we pulled up to their wonderfully turquoise waters was to jump straight it, so wasting no time with luggage, we embarked on a guided snorkel safari in search of house reef turtles, and we weren’t disappointed either…

The house reef here is teaming with tropical fish, but they noted that there’s a bit of a problem keeping it that way. The thorny-crown starfish is apparently become a plague and as it eats the coral that most fish live in and thrive on, it’s starting to wreak havoc on the reef. Its only known predator is few and far between so the resident marine biologist injects vinegar into them one by one to try to kill them off as eco-friendly as possible. Here’s hoping it works long term too!

Kandolhu is a small, quaint resort that is perfect for those who want an active daytime and yet want to feel like they are the only ones on the island too. We barely noticed the other guests and as the seaplanes and boats were kept off shore to reduce noise, we were free to listen to nothing but the waves rolling up on the beach, and the occasional fruit bat in the coconut trees barking at each other.

You won’t be stuck for cuisine either as food wise, with 4 restaurants servicing only 30 villas, there’s plenty of choice, including the Maldivian standard Tepanyaki setup (seriously each resort has a Tepanyaki restaurant… onion volcano and all).

The water villas and beach villas too are exquisite! With a whole host of amenities and modern furnishings having been only recently remodeled, they are incredibly comfortable with all the latest gadgets, perfect for a little working retreat. Go-Pro’s are soon to be available in each room too which is a great idea as more than half of the best scenery is below the surface in the Maldives!

Top Tips:

– Take a guided snorkel safari around the house reef in search of the camouflaged creatures
– Take a tour behind the scenes to see where everyone lives
– Relax on the white sandy beaches with a cocktail and watch the sun set

Velassaru Maldives – A Tropical Paradise

Posted on December 22, 2016

Having never been to the Maldives before, I was completely convinced (thanks to instagram) that it was purely a honeymoon destination, which saw only couples really being able to enjoy its offerings, so hopping onto a plane to check it out with Adonis Marketing, I was slightly dubious about whether or not i’d be a little lonely on a small island. I’m not one for being able to sit still all day long, an hour here or there by the pool definitely, or seashell hunting along the shoreline, for sure, but if you tell me we’re here to ‘switch off’… well I just can’t.

We landed in Male, (which is basically an airport on the sea) and jumped on a waiting yacht to an island only 20 mins from the airport itself. We passed water villa upon water villa on each coast of the island’s resorts, all looking like they just leapt off a postcard. Each atoll in the 1000+ Maldivian archipelago has a variety of luxury resorts (approx 300 in total) and each of them surrounded by bluer than blue waters (no camera truly does it justice) with a mixture of over-the water and beachfront villas.

Landing at Velassaru, we’re welcomed by what felt like the whole crew. Ever-so-friendly staff were waiting to help us to our villas so that we could rest after the trip. As it was only 4 hours though, I decided to remain awake and jump in the pool to freshen up. Straight off the bedroom was my very own piece of paradise. Infinity in style and plunge in depth, the pool was the perfect temperature so I made myself at home. The moody skies juxtaposed with the turquoise tiles reminded me so much of Thailand at first, but there’s something totally unique about it here, a smell in the breeze that just feels clean, calming almost.

We headed straight for their ‘Chill Bar’ to grab some mezze after our refresh, readying us for the much needed spa session to come. After an hour long Swedish escape, to which I don’t mind admitting I totally fell asleep in – which is a massive accomplishment as I’m never that relaxed, even during a massage. We then spent an hour savouring the indefinable pool to sea perspectives from their relaxation deck.

I spoke with Sri my spa therapist and asked her why she chose the Maldives. “There’s a lot of opportunity here for those who are looking to learn from the best and that’s what I always wanted… to keep learning and bettering my ability.”

So I’ll admit… there’s definitely something to this off-switch.

The spa was followed by my first dip in the ocean, which was pleasantly bearable I have to say, I was however a bit put off about the sand… I assumed looking at all the images of these pristine white beaches that the sand would be baby soft, but in fact, it’s ground down corals so there’s a little sharpness underfoot. Either way, the completely glass clear waters made it difficult to leave, what with sturgeons and parrot fish happily basking in the shallows nearby. No sharks or manta rays spotted yet but eagle rays and turtles often make an appearance under the water villas.

Post- post downtime, we headed out onto the sand to experience the typical Maldivian style dinners on the beach. Executive Chef Costa Exprua, joined us to talk about his original flavour for French and Californian cuisines, but having had a hand in each of the menu’s across the variety of restaurants on the resort, Indo-Asian cuisine has become more of his forte since moving to the island. Featuring a stand-alone, open-air Tepanaki suite, it’s really easy to see why these islands make such good instagram fodder.

What I loved most about my first trip to this tropical haven is that I’ve realized I’m 100% content (and haven’t forgotten how) to just be still and as a yogi, get back to my breathing. I did mention about a wake-surf plate for their wake-board only boat but we’ll see when I return… and I will!

Top tips for those looking to visit:
– Wake early for some sunrise yoga looking out across the archipelago
– Enjoy the local fish dishes
– Put your phone down, at least for a little bit – the sea life is everywhere under your feet and the clouds are dancing just as brilliantly above your head.

Animals Recommended

🌱 World Environment Day in Dubai 🌱

Posted on June 3, 2016

Friday the 3rd of June is World Environment Day and this year Dubai will be going blue! 🌊

By blue, I mean we’ll will be putting particular effort towards cleaning up the seafront and making the coastline a cleaner home for our various aquatic creatures. I’m SO glad to discover the Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG), who along with Dubai Municipality, Nakheel & the Burj Al Arab Rehab Centre, have organised a lovely little morning at the Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary (located in the Ghantoot Reserve). It’s all in aid of raising awareness about our impact on the marine and coastal environment… something that is never too late to change.

EMEG’s a non-profit organization based in UAE. Established in 1996 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the leadership of Ali Saqar Sultan Al Suweidi.

I’m particularly looking forward to helping release their rescued sea turtles! They’ve got over 40 nests this year and had a batch of 86 baby turtles hatching last week. We’ll also get involved with their beach clean-up & mangrove planting.

It’s a great initiative and I’m already looking at a few friends of mine who could do with some CSR partners 🙂

Recommended travel

🐢 Where to Spend World Turtle Day 🐢

Posted on May 23, 2016

Did you know it’s World Turtle Day today… I’ve been lucky enough to visit the nesting sites of these magnificent creatures across the world from Oman, to Sri Lanka and the US. Watching (from afar) their incredible journey through the oceans to the beaches where they lay hundreds of eggs at a time. The sad thing is, that a VERY small percentage of them ever make it to adulthood – like under 5%! We’re not allowed to interfere with nature of course (as much as I’d love to!) but there’s some eco-friendly destinations that are helping to give them a fighting chance.

Located in the most luxurious of destinations, and a philosophy rooted in supporting the surrounding natural ecology, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is where we’d want to be spending time this year… and with this many hotspots all supporting World Turtle Day, I’d say we’re a tad spoilt for choice too.

Surrounded by lush, tropical flora overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Banyan Tree Seychelles is a true Sanctuary for the Senses. Here, you can marvel at the turtles nesting on the resort’s beach. Every year from October to December, they return to lay their eggs. The resort works closely with the Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles (MCSS) to monitor turtle activity on Intendance Bay as part of the MCSS’ conservation efforts; last season they calculated at least 10,000 new hatchlings made their way into the water. The resort has recently launched a special programme, “Management of Turtle-Human Interactions and Turtle Rehabilitation”, to rehabilitate injured marine turtles before they are released back into the wild!

Nestled in the exclusive enclave of Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket is an oasis of tranquility. The resort has supported Laguna Phuket’s sea turtle conservation programme for over 20 years, raising funds and awareness for the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, whose ongoing efforts include studies of nesting behaviour and the tracking & analysis of turtle migration via microchips and satellite tracking devices attached to the turtles. On 3rd April this year, Laguna Phuket held its 22nd annual Sea Turtle Release, with 50 turtles released into the waters of the Andaman Sea to begin their lifetime journey across the open waters. Laguna Phuket has raised funds to construct two new nursery ponds dedicated to the rehabilitation of juvenile, injured and disabled sea turtles.

Encircled by beautiful coral reef and turquoise waters, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives is famous for its vibrant marine life. The resort is proud to be at the forefront of protecting the Indian Ocean’s sensitive eco-system; and, under the guidance of renowned Marine Biologist, Dr. Steven Newman, is committed to the conservation of sea turtles, which nest at the resort. The Turtle Head-Start programme has been introduced to ensure turtles continue to nest and breed in the area, with a percentage of the hatchlings reared at the resort for the first year of their life before being released into the wild. To date, more than 400 turtles have graduated from the programme, giving the island’s most famous residents a higher chance of long-term survival.