Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

Yachties helping out

by Noonsite 7 Aug 23:55 UTC

The islanders of Matuku, in Fiji's Lau group, have decided to implement three big "Tabu" (traditional ban) no-fishing zones around their island to protect all species of reef fish, thanks to the efforts of Austrian cruisers Birgit Hackl and Christian Feldhauer.

Birgit and Christian have been cruising in the South Pacific for several years, and often return from snorkeling trips sad and depressed by dead coral and lack of fish and marine life. However, in Matuku, they were delighted to see a pristine and healthy marine environment, which they realised needed protecting to ensure the future of the ecosystem. Their efforts to talk with the locals about the necessity to limit fishing/harvesting have finally paid off and local fishermen now understand the need to take measures to ensure a future for their fishing grounds. Read their report about how the Matuku Tabu came into being here.

Earlier in 2023, Vanuatu was battered by two cyclones and an earthquake. In a show of support and camaraderie from the cruising community, rally organisers and cruisers in the South Pacific gathered much-needed aid and supplies for devastated parts of the country. Luc Callebaut, one of the aid mission's organisers, reports on its successful delivery.

More than 40 cruisers visiting Tonga joined up with the Vava'u Environmental Protection Association and locals to help in a massive beach clean up at Neiafu on the island of Vava'u. A report on their efforts can be found here.

This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com.

Related Articles

Cruisers against garbage
Jean-Marc and Karen from SY Blowing Bubbles report on how they organised an 'underwater' clean up World Clean Up Day (celebrated on the third Saturday in September bringing together people worldwide to clean up and care for their communities) did not pass unnoticed by the cruising community in CuraƧao. Posted on 6 Nov
New to cruising
Alison Gieschen shares what she has learnt When you first move on board your boat for some offshore long-distance cruising, it can be tempting to fill every cabinet, every bilge, every empty pocket of space with stuff you think you cannot live without. Posted on 5 Nov
Caribbean Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean outlook
Talk to cruisers when you arrive in a new anchorage Pretty much every island in the Caribbean has its own cruisers' Facebook page which have replaced, in many ports, the once popular VHF Cruisers Nets. Posted on 2 Nov
Red, Caribbean, Atlantic, Mediterranean outlook
Canadians are no longer able to get a visa on arrival, nor an E-Visa for Egypt Canadians are no longer able to get a visa on arrival, nor an E-Visa for Egypt. A visa in advance must be acquired from an embassy or consulate in a neighbouring country. Posted on 4 Oct
Caribbean, Atlantic, Mediterranean ocean outlook
It seems Port Said in Egypt is still best-avoided It seems Port Said, in Egypt (north of the Suez Canal), is still best-avoided as reports come in from cruisers who have cleared into Egypt there. Posted on 1 Sep
Off the beaten path
Tuvalu is a tiny Pacific nation not like any other South Pacific island Penrhyn is the northern-most of the Cook Islands and probably the most remote and difficult to access, but is well worth the effort according to Canadian cruisers Ian Hay and Ann Montgomery of SV Afrikii, who visited there in May 2023. Posted on 12 Aug
Ocean Outlook - Atlantic
Introductory Guide to the ICW and Great Loop Although Noonsite predominantly covers only coastal ports, we realised some time ago that there is little information out there regarding the Intracoastal Waterway and Great Loop specifically for international visitors to the USA. Posted on 11 Aug
Ocean Outlook - Caribbean Sea
Yacht break ins and burglaries continue to be reported in the Caribbean Significant levels of Saharan dust moved across the northern areas of the Lesser Antilles this month and air quality alerts were issued for some islands. Posted on 9 Aug
Ocean Outlook - Red Sea
The offshore island of Socotra continues to offer a warm welcome While the mainland of Yemen remains a very inhospitable place for cruising sailors, the offshore island of Socotra continues to offer a warm welcome for those planning a passage to or from the Red Sea. Posted on 8 Aug
Ocean Outlook - Mediterranean
An urgent situation developing in Kos and soon all over Greece, in reference to Polish Flag Yachts Roditis Yachting Agency in Greece report on an urgent situation that is developing in Kos and soon all over Greece, in reference to Polish Flag Yachts. Posted on 8 Aug
J Composites 2022 - J99 FOOTERPantaenius 2022 - SAIL FOOTER - ROWHenri-Lloyd 2022 December - SW FOOTER