Australian schools invited to join voyage exploring marine debris management

 

Fiji-based Ocean Ambassadors invites Australian schools to voyage with them on marine debris management programs

With the rising sea levels and ocean debris a threat to our oceans and low-lying islands, a Canadian organised ocean conservation company, Ocean Ambassadors, is providing opportunities for 400 students a year to participate in week long educational voyagers around Fiji.

Recently, the director of Ocean Ambassadors contacted OEA with the following invitation:

I hope this e-mail finds you well. My name is Adrian Midwood and I am the director of Ocean Ambassadors.

I’m writing to see if you are interested in collaborating next school year with potentially putting a group of students together for joining us in Fiji for our work on marine debris. As this topic is finally gaining international exposure, we thought it may be of interest to your students to get hands on with solutions alongside a team who have been working on this topic for many years.

Our vessel at times is in the field conducting research and consulting with developing island nations. However when not conducting research or working alongside government, we offer our flagship for conservation voyages.

During these trips we conduct beach clean-ups which support our data collection program, do hands on demonstrations converting plastics to oil, give evening discussions on solutions and spend the time in between learning about traditional voyaging. You can view a short video here, the first half is promoting the tourism side, and second shows how we work from the beach to the boardroom.

We were awarded a spot in the top 20 adventures worldwide by Escape Australia  and a mention in Travel and Leisure last year. We can customise any voyage to meet other requirements. Normally we prefer the more educational programs, however our marketing has had to take the tone towards tourism.

Our maximum group size is 20 people including any teachers or chaperones, however we are happy to run voyages with a minimum of 10. Programs are all inclusive with food, beverage, safety equipment, support vessel and snorkelling gear. With Fiji being a close and safe destination in relation to Australia, it offers a great experience for your students.

We only have space for 400 students throughout the next year, so if you think your school may be interested please do let us know your expression of interest as soon as possible to reserve a week.

All the best.
Capt Adrian Midwood