Today I spoke to a delegate from Namibia, who told me that Namibia, as far as he knows has no shark finning problem at all, and that he loves shark fin soup, which he orders every time he goes to Mauritius, because it tastes so good. I went on to express both my bewilderment that…
Of the 42 proposals for amendment of Appendices I and II of CITES, those focusing on eight shark species, the iconic blue fin tuna, and downgrading the protection of the African elephant, a proposal submitted by the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia, are set to be the most contentious during the two weeks of…
The opening of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES begins with an overwhelmingly load performance through the PA system of local Qatar men, chanting and beating drums, followed by two long speeches from Mr Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP, and the Secretary General of CITES, Mr Willem Wijnstekers. A somber air…
My journey to Doha, Qatar, with Leonard Compagno, world famous shark researcher, begins a way I would rather forget. Up at 4 am after 3 hours sleep, still packing cameras by 5am, and leaving for the 35 minute drive to catch our 6.20am flight to Johannesburg at 5.20am! Leonard transforms into racing driver extraordinaire. I…
Gandhi once said that a nation’s greatness is measured by the way it treats its animals. 175 Nations will attend the 15th conference of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) from the 13th to 25th March in Doha, Qatar, and have a chance to prove their…
Today was indeed a very significant one in the conservation efforts of AfriOceans. Our unique AfriOceans Warriors Awareness Hike last December launched a new movement in environmental education, in youth empowerment and in conservation awareness. This year, no matter limited funding, and together with our key partners and the Muizenberg High School, we are going…
During my recent photographic expedition aboard the Sea Horse around the stunning Radja Ampat, which was a prize for one of the awards Sharks in Deep Trouble won last year, I had the privilege to meet the wobbegong shark. Though my fellow divers saw a wobbegong on almost every dive and John Bantin of Diver…
In general there are very few sharks left in Radja Ampat and though I saw some wobbegongs, the odd black tip and white tip, local shark conservationist Andy Miners of the Misool Eco Resort, told me that most have been killed by local longliners who continue to catch the remaining few. Andy’s efforts in helping…
Quote for the day, I like this one more: ‘We should be cutting lies instead of trees.’ Jerry Martien, Salvage This PS: I promise I will put more pix up of Radja Ampat soon…