November 2020
The Cook Islands is a nation of vastly more water than land. An expanse of ocean approximately the size of Mexico surrounds the small, scattered islands, some home to no more than a few dozen residents. Beneath the water’s surface is a rich ecosystem, filled with endangered turtles, 22 kinds of whales, and vibrant coral […]
November 2020
Parrotfish, brightly colored inhabitants of coral reefs named for their beaklike mouths, are essential for a healthy reef. The fish use their namesake beaks to scrape vegetation from the coral, removing algae that would otherwise smother and kill coral polyps. Unfortunately, the slow-moving fish are an easy target for spearfishers.They have been in decline in […]
October 2020
Could orangutans become extinct in the next 10 years? According to scientists, it’s possible, unless protections are put in place and strictly enforced. Seacology is working hard with indigenous communities to avert that potential tragedy. Plummeting populations Orangutans—the big, gentle, rust-colored apes that spend their lives high in rainforest trees—are both mysterious and familiar to […]
October 2020
Omar Abdallah Juma, who brought communities, governments, and fishermen together to protect Kenya’s great marine biodiversity, has been awarded the 2020 Seacology Prize. East Africa’s coast and islands are home to thriving coral reefs, dense mangrove forests, and seagrass beds–all of which have been strained by rapid population growth, overfishing, and poor regulation. Kenyan communities […]
September 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a mixed bag for islands. While their geographical isolation has helped many island nations keep infection rates low, travel restrictions and other economic consequences of the pandemic have devastated the economies of island communities that depend on international tourism. Under these circumstances, Seacology’s support for local ecotourism projects has taken […]
September 2020
Botanists identified a new species of palm tree on the Caribbean island of Bonaire last year – but without urgent action, it could be extinct within just a few years. Seacology is aiming to prevent that. Any species – plant or animal – that evolves on an isolated island is especially vulnerable to extinction. If […]
August 2020
Driving north from Mombasa on Kenya’s main coastal highway, the dense city traffic gives way to rolling hills, expansive farms, baobab trees, and the occasional roadside produce stand or open-air market. At the popular seaside destination of Malindi, the winding road features stunning views of the Indian Ocean. But a few miles further north, something […]
August 2020
As Cyclone Fani headed toward the east coast of India last year, we anxiously watched the news reports. This severe storm was headed straight toward the state of Odisha–site of a new Seacology project. Fani was the strongest cyclone to hit Odisha in 20 years, with periods of winds as high as those in a […]
August 2020
Surrounded by clean, cold waters and snow-capped mountains, Koldita is one of many small islands in the Chiloé Archipelago, off central Chile. The area is home to Mapuche-Huilliche people, whose culture developed over centuries on these islands. The indigenous residents have long been stewards of both the marine and island ecosystems, and have relied on […]
August 2020
The Dominican Republic is home to some 64,000 acres of mangrove forests, which protect coastal communities from violent storms and ensure healthy fisheries. Legally, most of these wetlands are protected, but the reality is very different. Inadequate enforcement, unsustainable development, and overfishing have caused a devastating decline in mangrove cover. Our project will work from […]