Paradise on Earth: World Ocean Protected Surface Rising

UNESCO Marine World Heritage list is expected to continue to grow and expand -driven by new global goals for the increase of the protected and managed total marine surface area on the planet. UNESCO is but one organization working to expand world ocean protected reserves and marine protected areas. UNESCO and international press highlight Heritage Marine Locations coinciding with the December world break.

One of the best ways to gain international flow of ecological tourism while reaping the benefits of conservation and protection is to be listed into the World Marine Heritage List.

On December 2nd Marine World Heritage shared the publication of Scuba Diver Life for top Marine World Heritage locations recommended for world travellers entering the December breaks.

From Ecuador Galapagos Islands to Australia Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo Coast, Shark Bay, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Lagoons of New Caledonia, Costa Rica Cocos Island National Park, Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary and St Kilda the sites not only share the “paradise element” but are all part of the UNESCO World Marine Heritage List.

“The World Heritage List locations are of significant importance for the benefit of humanity. Marine locations inscribed in the list are not only balanced ecosystems...these are some of the most beautiful and unique sites of the planet,” UNESCO assures.

Coinciding with the international world movement of tourism which takes place every year during the December breaks UNESCO released a new video on mid-November to take viewers on a “journey to three exceptional World Marine Heritage Sites. Simangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa, Aldabra Atoll of the Seychelles and Kluane as well as Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay and Tatshenshini-Alsek in USA Canada”. The video is narrated by Gisele Bündchen, Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme.

Scuba Diver Life reported that the sites are recognized for their value to our natural world, highlighted the evolution showcase of Galapagos, Australia largest coral environment, whale shark population sites, Philippines atolls, lagoons and walls, Cocos Island dolphin mystic and other world marine sanctuaries.

Going through the process of UNESCO World Heritage Listing and actually making it all the way to the end of the tunnel brings forward a unique new light for the locations which applied. Benefits of gaining UNESCO Marine Heritage Listing come with downturns as well. Locations applying must be prepared to handle and manage the flow of millions of world tourists every year. The impact of massive tourism can be a negative element if the location is not fit and prepared.

In Argentina province of Chubut the Valdes Peninsula knows all about the road for World Heritage. On December 4th Diario Cronia reported that the area was now into its 15th year of UNESCO World Heritage Listing.

Secretary of Tourism and Protected areas of Chubut Province Carlos Zonza Nigro applauded the 15th anniversary of the Valdes Peninsula as World Heritage.

“The distinction by UNESCO 15 years ago is a pride but above all it implies a great responsibility. On the one hand to preserve the heritage….for coming generations to enjoy as we enjoy of it today and on the other hand the task that we have to work on in conservation,” Zonza Nigro told the media adding that the Management Plan was being updated to meet the challenges and opportunities of the location.

In the corner of the world oceans far off and distant from Argentina Valdes Peninsula, the Islands of the Pacific Indonesia countries also share a common vision.

UNESCO Pacific World Heritage Action Plan 2010-2015 shares the dreams that “the Pacific Islands‟ Heritage becomes protected and enriched for the future.

The Marquesas archipelago and its pristine beauty are contained within the plan. The archipelago has a 10 year plan for an area known as “Te Tai Nui a Hau” which translates to “Original Ocean”. Ocean +TV recently shared a video revealing the incredible rich biodiversity, abundance of planktons which attracts a great number of hammerhead sharks, marine mammals and the endemic species of the “Original Ocean”.

While “Te Tai Nui a Hau” - the Original Ocean is not a UNESCO World Heritage Marine Location locals work on the initiative for the creation of an educational managed marine protected area. The Original Ocean is one of thousands of marine locations which do not have international recognition but still strive for management.

“Te Tai Nui a Hau” is a large scale marine protected area currently in the process of creation in the Marquesas Archipelago and will extend over 700 000 Square Kilometers. This marine protected area will be created by the French Polynesian Government in partnership with France, mayors of Marquesas and professional representatives and the civil society.

"You can not separate the traditions of the sea richnesses, as they form a whole! "Said Toti Teikiehuupoko, president of the cultural association Motu Haka after the announcement of the launch of the one year consultation phase for the creation of a marine protected area MPA in the Marquesas -location which international travelling press describe as the “Beyond the Beyond”.

Ocean Life News in Brief

Ocean Level Increase Dropping Oceans Floor: International Press reported on December 5 on the findings of new research which assures that due to ocean level increase the ocean floor is sinking. The study published online in Geophysical Research Levels used mathematical equations to accurately measure the Ocean's floor impact driven by the increased of water volume weight. Using data from 1993 to 2014 researchers found that ocean level increase is causing the Ocean floor to drop globally by the milimeters. Ocean Dead Zones Up By Four: On January 8 New York Daily reported that Ocean Dead Zones have quadrupled.Researchers warned in a new study that oxygen-starved ocean dead zones, where animals and plants are struggling to survive, have increased fourfold and it may not be reversible. The new study was published in the Journal Science. The increase of Dead Zones was linked to climate change. La Niña´s Polar Wave Hitting Hard the US -Freezing Oceans: International Press reported on the Polar Wave hitting hard the US. The event is linked by experts to the influence of La Niña. “For the past couple of weeks, parts of North America have been chilling down to record temperatures, with massive snowfall and icy cold conditions putting life at a standstill for many,” media reported. The US East Coast has been particularly badly hit with the likes of Boston down to Philadelphia reaching bone-chilling lows of near 0°F , with icy winds making it feel closer to around -10°F to -20°F. Officially 18 were dead and 100 million affected. Government of Bali Declares a Garbage Emergency: On January 5 Ocean Conservancy reported on a New Waste Management Emergency in Bali. Massive amounts of ocean debri are affecting the island. The situation has reached its peak as the Government of Bali declared a “Garbage Emergency”. Clean up works have began. “Ivory Coast Village Swallowed by Ocean Increase,” Aljazeera Reports: On January 8 Al Jazeera reported that ocean increase levels are affecting infrastructure in the Ivory Coast. “Rising tides and more frequent, devastating storms are slowly destroying what is left of Lahou-Kpanda, the offshoot of what was once a major colonial town near the mouth of the Bandama River, the longest river in Ivory Coast,” Al Jazeera reported. Arctic Ocean Radioactive Levels on the Rise: IFL Science reported on January 3 on the findings of new report which assures that radioactive levels in the Arctic Ocean are on the rise. “Concentrations of radioactive radium-228 in the Arctic Ocean increased between 2007 and 2015,” the report reads. While levels have not yet reached a mark of concern the trend is worries experts. Lauren Kipp of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution addressed the issue. New World Wide Ocean Turtle Study Says 90% of Plastic Pollution Cases Result in Death: Earth Sky Org reported on January 7 that hundreds of marine turtles die every year after getting tangled in trash in oceans and on beaches. A research published in the journal Endangered Species Research took on a World-Wide Survey covering the major oceans where turtles live. They discovered that 91 % of the entangled turtles were found dead. They also suffered serious wounds from entanglement, leading to maiming, amputation or choking. Double Whirlpools Discovered for First Time: December 4 Press reported that Double Eddies have been registered for the first time in History. Tangled up Double Eddies can travel great distances affecting ecology significantly. Eddies are a natural part of the ocean environment but double whirlpools had only been theorized by mathematicians.