News
Jean-Michel Cousteau to open new dive centre in Petit St. Vincent this year
Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the legendary Jacques-Yves Cousteau, will open a dive centre on the Caribbean island of Petit St. Vincent (PSV) in the southern Grenadines before the end of the year. Following extensive research of the reefs and aquatic life in the region by Jean-Michel and his team, he felt PSV would be a perfect place to share the wonders of coral reefs with guests and locals.
The newly established local company, known as “Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Caribbean Divers”, is owned and operated by Jean-Michel Cousteau and long time colleague, Don Santee. The new dive centre will provide guided dives as well as diving instruction and PADI certifications for all levels of divers. Both Jean-Michel Cousteau and PSV management view the dive center as the first step in an ongoing program to protect the waters and aquatic life in the region.
While the dive centre will operate independently of the resort, they will share some facilities including the existing dock and boathouse. An on-staff naturalist/marine biologist will offer guided underwater tours and hikes around the island with the goal of educating and entertaining guests about the area’s rich marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The naturalist will also work with local schools and NGOs on surrounding islands including Union Island, Carriacou and Petit Martinique to develop educational programs and projects.
“This project is personally very exciting for me,” said PSV’s owner Phil Stephenson. “Like a lot of our guests, I grew up watching Jacques Cousteau’s specials every Sunday night on American broadcast television. It’s what got me into scuba diving as a kid and produced a lifetime love of the ocean. Having Jean-Michel and his staff help teach PSV’s guests about diving and the diversity of undersea world is really a dream come true.”
In addition to the new dive centre, PSV is also working with scientists at the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society to reduce the island’s environmental footprint and make operations “greener”. For example, the resort has replaced plastic drinking bottles with reusable glass bottles with sealed tops, installed a wastewater treatment plant to reduce the discharge of untreated waters, and planned a retention pond for natural filtration using water lilies, tilapia fish and frogs which will assist in natural mosquito reduction.
PSV will continue to grow as much of their own fruits and vegetables on island as possible, rainwater will be harvested from rooftops for irrigation and a composting system will be put into place. These and many other planned initiatives will help reduce the island’s environmental footprint and create a beautiful and productive landscape.
“We must connect the ocean to the existence of every human being,” said Jean-Michel Cousteau, President of Ocean Futures Society. “My father used to say, ‘people protect what they love’, and so it is our hope that by encouraging and enabling divers to explore the waters around PSV, and by initiating sustainability measures on the island, we will be creating ambassadors of the ocean and land for generations to come and share this important message: ‘Protect the ocean and you protect yourself.’”
About Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society
Ocean Futures Society (OFS) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization with the motto, “Protect the ocean and you protect yourself.” The mission of OFS is to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet. OFS is based in Santa Barbara, California, with offices in France and Brazil. For more information, visit www.oceanfutures.org.
About Petit St Vincent
Petit St Vincent is a privately-owned 115-acre island in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The island has just 22 one- and two-bedroom cottages dotted along the beaches and bluffs, positioned perfectly for the ultimate in privacy and seclusion. The cottages are free of televisions, telephones and internet connections. A major renovation project was completed in 2011, which included the addition of a treetop spa and beachfront restaurant and bar. For more information, visit www.petitstvincent.com.
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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