Joe Cool
Contributor
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 its 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 dont 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 wont 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
I work for a professional engineering firm as one of their specialists. I am happily married but dont 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 wont 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