OCEANA protecting the world’s oceans
Photos: © OCEANA - Eduardo Sorensen
Robinson Crusoe Island is a World Biosphere Preserve, Sailing to Juan Fernández, then, not only means an
a United Nations designation that denotes its vital exceptional and thrilling experience for the sailor.
importance to global biodiversity and awards it It provides an economic incentive for governments to
protections. Yet just five miles from the shore, the marine protect gems like these islands. Of course, if you go,
ecosystems surrounding the islands are unprotected from be sensitive to the marine habitat and be watchful in
the damaging commercial fishing techniques of bottom order to avoid setting your anchor on coral reefs.
trawling. This fishing method uses weighted nets to drag
the seafloor, indiscriminately killing sealife and reducing Oceana has already succeeded in encouraging
corals and seamounts to rubble. It is the equivalent of governments to proactively protect 640 million acres
clearcutting a forest to catch a few rabbits. of seafloor from trawling north of the equator. Hopefully,
the waters surrounding the Juan Fernández Islands will
Trawling is used to catch only two popular seafood species, be next. In the meantime, making the islands a significant
the orange roughy – originally known as the slimehead – sailing destination will help bolster the argument for
and alfonsino. Thanks to trawling, some ancient corals in saving its rare and awesome natural beauty.
the area have already been demolished. These slow-growing
corals are the home for dozens of other species and it take OCEANA | Protecting the World's Oceans
decades or centuries for them to recover. For more information: www.oceana.org
Juan Fernández is still an ecological treasure, but it needs
proactive protection in order to remain that way. It makes
both scientific and economic sense. Oceana conducted a
survey of divers last year that found they were likely to
pay a premium if it meant seeing healthy marine
ecosystems. Divers indicated they would spend an average
of $55.35 more per dive to encounter vibrant coral reefs.
www.oystermarine.com 23
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