Inaugural Seacology Island Expedition an "Exciting and Exhilirating" Success
The first Seacology island expedition to the Micronesian islands of Yap and Palau took place in February. According to expedition member David Cumming, "This was one of the most exciting and exhilarating trips I have ever taken. It stole my heart and stole my mind. I am still in awe at all the splendor we witnessed."
Trip participants experienced some of the worldís best scuba diving. In Yap, there were several opportunities to dive with giant manta rays. The mantas, measuring as much as 16 feet across, passed within feet of the divers. Palau has long been considered a world-class dive destination. Based on the reactions of Seacology expedition members, this reputation is well deserved. In one dive alone, at a site called "New Drop Off," there was a close encounter with a group of 21 sharks competing with giant trevaly, spiny lobsters, moray eels, sea turtles, schools of barracuda and thousands of tropical fish for diversí attention.
The expedition entailed much more than some of the worldís best diving. In Yap, Seacology grantee Margie Falanruw led the group on a fascinating two day tour of Yapís cultural and environmental points of interest. The group kayaked through mangroves spotting countless fruit bats, visited the "Grand Canyon of Yap," watched some authentic Yapese dance performances and witnessed the construction of a traditional village long-house under the direction of Yapís master architect. Falanruw also introduced the group to her pet fruit bat "Smoky," which she uses for her environmental education programs. Seacology has supplied Margieís Yap Institute of Natural Science with computers, binoculars for field studies and other needed equipment for their invaluable environmental protection work on Yap.
In Palau, Seacology grantee and island advisory board member Noah Idechong and the Palau Conservation Society hosted the group for a series of meetings with some of Palauís key elected officials and environmental leaders. The group visited the Ngiwal Marine Sanctuary in a remote part of the island of Babeldaop. Seacology played a key role in providing support to purchase demarcation buoys and signage and train two villagers as rangers to stop poaching in this "no-take" marine reserve. The Seacology expedition group had the opportunity to witness the demarcation buoys being prepared and meet the two rangers. The project is so successful that Idechong reports that it is already serving as a model for other villages in Palau. The group was honored by the presence of Chief Riumd and the Speaker of the Ngiwal State Legislature who presented a government resolution expressing gratitude to Seacology for this important program. As expedition member James Sandler said, "The people we met on this trip were more than environmentalists. They are working on many of the issues that not only impact their ecosystems, but their communities, cultures, governments and their society as a whole. The actions they take on their islands with Seacology support will not only impact their own surroundings, but will also influence other island nations and beyond. I am very much looking forward to the next Seacology trip to Belize."
Seacology is planning to host several educational and fun island expeditions each year. For more information about our January 2001 trip to the islands of Belize please see the article on page 6 of this newsletter.
