Mission Blue II

Solomon-Islands-physical-ma

Papua New Guinea to Solomon Islands onboard the National Geographic Ship Orion with 99 other likeminded people from all walks of life with various skills and abilities on offer!

 

This is Mission Blue II and it starts on October 10 with a charter flight from Brisbane Australia and I have the honor of representing Asociacion Ondine to promote the amazing Balearic Islands and why our surrounding sea is so important to protect.

Mission Blue

Now what and who is Mission Blue? Here is some info from their website..

 

Mission Blue II: Protecting the ocean, the journey continues

 

In 2010, Mission Blue took sail in the Galapagos with a unique mix of 100 policy influencers, leading scientists, artists, innovators and activists. Conceived of as a TED-at-sea, Mission Blue sought to explore the challenges plaguing our ocean. It turned into far more than that. The group of people, remarkable as individuals, together became a powerful force that launched eight distinct ocean initiatives aided by $15 million in commitments.

For those who conceived of Mission Blue – including TED Prize winner Sylvia Earle and a group of TED directors and participants – we believed the right mix of participants, education, conversation, and inspiration could lead to change. It did, and this is why we’re doing it again. But this time we’re taking what we learned from the first voyage to make Mission Blue II an even more focused and impactful experience.

Let’s start with the trip itself: a voyage along the Pacific Equator from Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands. Beyond experiencing the ecological richness of one of the world’s most stunning areas, we’re going with a purpose: to understand and help protect this region from specific threats. Further, we’re already working with local leaders to tackle two specific challenges, and we need voyagers who are eager to engage.

 

So actually, my primary role is to assist the professionals on board with input into other organizations projects, to share my knowledge and skills and hopefully add a part to a positive solution to local issues.

 

I shall be doing with this with pleasure and pride and with hope that what I can add will be worthwhile to these people and their marine environments in focus.

 

Of course my passion is the Balearic Sea and should someone be brave enough to ask what I do, they will definitely know all about The Balearic Islands and Asociacion Ondine.

 

How do I promote a small grassroots conservation, research and education organization to an audience that may or may not know where or what the Balearic Islands are? This issue was addressed in an Asociacion Ondine meeting a few months ago, the solution…make a film to promote the beauty and importance of the Balearic Islands marine environments and the issues that are faced here.

 

So I shall be armed with my laptop and a short film, of course filmed and produced by David Diley from Scarlet View Media. We will release this film online for you all to see and enjoy and hopefully bring the mysterious underwater world of the Balearics to people that have had no contact at all with it.

 

The funding for this film came from two of Asociacion Ondine´s biggest private supporters, Stefan & Irina Hearst (Sponsors of the Mallorca Stingray Survey Phase 1, Sponsors of my Mission Blue II Expedition) and Richard & Justine Masters (Master Yachts are Platinum members of Asociacion Ondine). So here we go with another very large thank you to you all for your help!!

The National Geographic Orion anchored at Prince Frederick Harbour, The Kimberley, Western Australia

The National Geographic Orion anchored at Prince Frederick Harbour, The Kimberley, Western Australia

The MPA team within Asociacion Ondine have also provided science based presentations for me to use whilst I am participating in Mission Blue II.

 

Armed and dangerous I guess you could say! Armed with passion and tools to promote our amazing islands and dangerously positive due to the assistance we have received.

 

I may be alone on the boat, ah too bad, so sad…but I shall have everyone who has ever contributed to Asociacion Ondine by my side!

Uninhabited-coral-island-solomon-islands

Stay tuned for the next article…Mission Blue II…as it happened!

 

 

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