Advice needed for a marine research expedition

I would like to get some opinions, advice, feedback, and comments concerning a very ambitious plan that has been brewing in my head for some time. I do not know how to start or what to do to try and make it into reality. Here is what it’s all about but, first a background of myself.

I work for a professional engineering firm as one of their specialists. I am happily married but don’t have any kids. I was passionate about diving when I was a teen but re-discovered it back in 2005. I am now a vacation diver doing bi-yearly dive trips. I love everything under the sea and I wish I had a permanent address in GBR or some south pacific island. I do not have a background in Marine Biology or a similar field that involves studying/researching marine life. I do not have contacts with marine conservation groups nor do I have any status in any non-profit endeavour that involves marine life. I am just a diving enthusiast stuck behind a desk. Well not literally stuck as I go out and meet with clients and do site surveys.

I do not want to bore you with who I am but I hope you understand where I am coming from with this seemingly impossible idea or thought of mine.

I have been thinking of mounting an expedition to a remote area that has a large collection of reefs, islands, and atolls. It is a political hotbed as there are several nations laying claim to it. Those of you who are up-to-speed with world affairs would probably guess the place I am talking about, yes, it is the Spratly Islands Group located in the South China Sea. I won’t bore you with the politics since it is not the objective of my plan. But, knowledge of the dispute is essential to further understand the complexity of even gaining permission from the claimant countries to conduct research in the area.

As you probably already know, the Spratly Island Group or SIG is one of several major marine nurseries in the South China Sea. Based on incidents of poaching within Philippine waters during the past two decades, it is highly likely that the SIG is over-fished and the fish stocks are nearly depleted. Studies conducted by a group of Philippine marine scientists around the island occupied by the Philippines indicate large areas of dead coral. The cause of the devastation is being blamed on destructive fishing practices and COTS epidemics. They also reported that some of the reefs around a handful of islands are still intact. The area is known as a rich fishing ground by the claimant countries. However, incursions into Philippine waters by fishermen from the claimant countries have been increasing probably because they can no longer catch anything around the SIG. Or else, why risk getting caught in foreign waters or why even risk your life crossing the South China Sea just to sneak into Philippine waters. It does not make sense.

My plan involves mounting an expedition to conduct a thorough study of the fish stocks around the SIG. This plan seems to be very ambitious especially for someone who does not have any clout or bragging rights in the field of marine research. I could see myself as a director coordinating the joint efforts of various marine scientists and conservations groups in this endeavour. While the various claimant countries are trying to figure out their claims, the marine environment and eco system around the SIG is being destroyed by fishermen. A comprehensive study needs to be done to figure out the health of the marine life around the SIG. Next, propose ways to halt the damage and nurse the reefs back. Establishing no fishing zones or marine sanctuaries first comes to mind. And, to support the parks and sanctuaries, encourage eco-tourism. Of course this plan needs the support of all claimant countries. Malaysia is already operating a dive resort in Layang-layang or Swallow Reef. The mayor of an island occupied by the Philippine government and civilians wants to promote tourism on the Philippine claimed islands. Not doing a study of the environment before encouraging tourism is dangerous. It could lead to the area being commercialized thus introducing more damaging effects to the surrounding reefs.

Having shared my plan and knowing a bit of my background, I would like to know your opinion, suggestions, feedback, input/advice.
(1) How can one gain support and assistance from established non-profit conservation groups such as Conservation International, WWF, or Ocean Check? Do I need to be a marine biologist before any of these groups take me seriously? Do they even welcome ideas from people like me? Where do you start with such an idea or plan like mine especially if you have no contacts with conservation groups? Is submitting a proposal a worth while effort for conservation groups to consider my idea or plan?

(2) Is this plan outrageous? Too ambitious? Too far-fetched? Do I need to get my feet back on the ground and get back to reality?

(3) What steps would one take to get this plan rolling? I do not have a clue where to start.

(4) Does one need to be a ‘Bill Gates’ to make this happen?

Thanks for going through this long post. Again, feedback, advice, tips, comments are welcome especially from people who have connections or relationships with conservation groups.

Phil

It's all about the money. What can you offer these groups that they can't do for themselves.

Scientists have an established network. A lot of research is a team effort with ocean chemists, physical oceanographers, fisheries biologists sharing ship time. They get grants for funding their projects and all are very protective of their territory. Ship time is a valued commodity. If you can get ship time you will be able to get the scientists.

Raising awareness of the problem and getting publicity for it is about the best thing you can do.

We do this type of work all the time, as support vessel and diving platform. The methodologies and peer-reviewed documentation to conduct such an assessment are in place and available to the general public. We are getting underway tonight to spend 30 days in Puerto Rico doing exactly the kind of work you are proposing with University of Puerto Rico, and we will perform 2 10 day assessments in June, one in Dry Tortugas National Park and one in the Florida Keys. I (the Spree) do 30-50 days per year of this type of assessment.

It's expensive. There are 3 or 4 teams in the United States that do this. One from UPR, one from UMiami, one from NOAA, and then there are team members from other NOAA facilities, FFWCC, NPS, etc. The 30 day leg in Puerto Rico will cost upwards of a half-million dollars. Each 10 day leg in the Florida Keys costs $350k. Then you've got to get the weather to cooperate, get 10-30 qualified fish experts or coral experts to go there, the logistics are a nightmare, and then you get a typhoon. I'm not trying to be negative, but what I'm trying to tell you is that it's been done, it's do-able, and there are lots of resources for you to draw upon right here in the US to help you along. I'd plan on a 5 year schedule to get funding in place and arrange logistics, get permits, etc.

Good luck with your project.

DennisS:

It's all about the money. What can you offer these groups that they can't do for themselves.

Scientists have an established network. A lot of research is a team effort with ocean chemists, physical oceanographers, fisheries biologists sharing ship time. They get grants for funding their projects and all are very protective of their territory. Ship time is a valued commodity. If you can get ship time you will be able to get the scientists.

Raising awareness of the problem and getting publicity for it is about the best thing you can do.

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DennisS, Thanks for the feedback. I know I do not have anything to offer in terms of being a scientist or someone with cash to spare. However, a team that is just composed of all scientists will have very biased objectives. I can be the one on the other side of the seesaw. I can also look after the logistics, coordination, and communication. However, you do have a point and what you said makes me keep my feet on the ground. Good reality check. I will still pursue it on my own capacity and see where I end up. I do not mind if other teams get ahead and manage to secure funding to get out there and raise the alarm bells. That's essentially the main objective of my plan. I will just be glad to be able to dive the place once it's declared as a marine sanctuary

Wookie:

We do this type of work all the time, as support vessel and diving platform. The methodologies and peer-reviewed documentation to conduct such an assessment are in place and available to the general public. We are getting underway tonight to spend 30 days in Puerto Rico doing exactly the kind of work you are proposing with University of Puerto Rico, and we will perform 2 10 day assessments in June, one in Dry Tortugas National Park and one in the Florida Keys. I (the Spree) do 30-50 days per year of this type of assessment.

It's expensive. There are 3 or 4 teams in the United States that do this. One from UPR, one from UMiami, one from NOAA, and then there are team members from other NOAA facilities, FFWCC, NPS, etc. The 30 day leg in Puerto Rico will cost upwards of a half-million dollars. Each 10 day leg in the Florida Keys costs $350k. Then you've got to get the weather to cooperate, get 10-30 qualified fish experts or coral experts to go there, the logistics are a nightmare, and then you get a typhoon. I'm not trying to be negative, but what I'm trying to tell you is that it's been done, it's do-able, and there are lots of resources for you to draw upon right here in the US to help you along. I'd plan on a 5 year schedule to get funding in place and arrange logistics, get permits, etc.

Good luck with your project.

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Captain Frank! Thanks for the input. Good reality check and fodder for a business plan. BTW, I saw your post concerning the trip you mentioned above. I was actually planning a live-aboard trip this year and considered your offer but I had to shelve that due to family obligations. Hopefully, next year, I can join the Spree either at the Dry Tortugas or Bahamas, and possibly PR. It must be exciting for you to embark on this exploration trip that hits two birds with one stone, i.e. explore new dive sites of PR and have a team of scientists conduct their research in the area as well.

Phil