Marine Life & Conservation
Why every day should be World Oceans Day…
Every day should be World Oceans Day, but until my wish is granted we’re grateful for the one day a year the oceans get global attention.
In 2008 the United Nations officially recognized World Oceans Day to be celebrated on the 8th June every year. Since that was a Saturday in 2019, the celebratory event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York took place on Friday 7th themed: Gender and Oceans.
This year the strategic partner Oceanic Global organized a morning of storytelling by men and women and an afternoon panel discussion regarding solutions for gender issues with panellists from the Human Rights at Sea, UN Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea, the World Surf League and many others.
Some highlights of the day were the testimony of Kudzi Victorino Dyckman. She was born in Mozambique as the oldest of 14 children and worked as a young child to help provide for her family. Her strong willpower and gratefulness eventually led to her becoming the first female Dive Instructor in Mozambique!
And what about the real life Moana: Aunofo Havea – a true seafarer following the stars and her dream, from cleaning to cooking to captain because she wanted to be the decision maker, while raising a family! Some people in the dive industry might know her as an inspirational power woman operating in Tonga – her dream since she first swam with the whales.
We also heard goosebump testimonies from a former slave at sea and now the founder of Labour Rights Promotion Network Foundation, Mr. Tun Lin.
In between the stories and panels, I had the honour to announce the winners of the 6th UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition. The overall winner, David Salvatori from Italy, presented a stunning shot of a diver between floating tunicates! A symbol that we need the motion in the ocean to keep them rich and full with life. Check back here tomorrow to see the images!
The day ended with a compelling speech by Dr. Sylvia Earle about the knowledge we have and the choices we make, or rather not make fast enough. We have to make peace with nature and that is not a gender issue but a cultural one. But women with superpowers all around the world can make a difference as we should provide the values at home so they become second nature.
We can do this partly by embracing the differences there are between men and women and using the differences in decision making like ones we all make at home: what shall we eat? We have to stop eating marine life because we’re all guilty in playing a part in the atrocities happening at sea if we don’t. In our food choices, we are implicated in everything from overfishing to forced labour at sea.
When a scientist with the experience and hours in the ocean like Dr. Earle tells you what to do… you better listen!
Conclusion: Gender and the Oceans seemed like a difficult theme when it got announced months ago, but the day was too short once the dialogue began! To be continued…
Find out more about Ellen and her work at www.ellencuylaerts.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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