World Oceans Day – A Celebration of the Seas

Ensuring the health of the seas is of utmost importance, and World Oceans Day serves as an important reminder of our role in protecting the source of life that connects us all. 

At Ker & Downey® Africa, leaving a positive legacy when traveling is our very mantra. We believe it is our responsibility to extend this mantra to your clients, as well as everyone we associate ourselves with within the industry. This is why we have carefully crafted a set of pioneering sustainable trips that evolve with our traveler and Earth’s best interests at heart. 

One such conservation trip has been specially designed for travelers seeking a more meaningful experience when visiting the spectacular Seychelles archipelago, an Indian Ocean island of untamed tropical landscapes, with some of the world’s most incredible coral gardens and unique marine species.

On this one-of-a-kind Seychelles adventure, guests are invited to actively participate in marine conservation initiatives alongside the marine biologists at WiseOceans and the Marine Discovery Programme by Four Seasons. From coral reef restoration projects to educational snorkelling expeditions alongside marine biologists, this responsible itinerary will help you leave a positive legacy in Africa’s oceans.

Who is WiseOceans?

WiseOceans is a specialist marine education and conservation company striving to engage, educate and inspire people everywhere to love the oceans and the life within them. They connect local communities and travelers alike to life in the oceans, empowering them to make small changes in their lives so that together we make a big difference.

Actively involved in our exciting marine conservation safari to the Seychelles, WiseOceans is dedicated to inspiring excitement in clients about the marine and coastal environments that make up the natural world around them.

We chatted a bit to the team about what this year’s World Ocean Day means to them, and how we can, collectively, make a lasting difference.

This year’s theme for World Ocean Day is “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods”. What does this mean to the team at WiseOceans?

To us, this year’s theme rightly highlights the reliance that we, as a species, have on our oceans. Over 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. Globally, the market value of marine and coastal resources is around 5% of total global GDP. Our survival as a species is intertwined with that of our oceans, for these reasons, and others. Consequently, we must do everything in our power to help protect them.

There is an increasing trend in ecotourism, with more and more travelers seeking an adventurous and educational experience as they discover complex ecosystems around the world. How is this benefiting our oceans, and what do you think we can do to encourage more travelers to think more along these lines?

When utilised properly, Ecotourism can have a transformative power that is needed to protect our environments, as well as other environments. One way this is achieved is by fostering a sense of environmental stewardship in local communities. Another is by providing a direct livelihood, one that is perhaps even greater than by means that would damage the marine environment.

However, it is important to keep in mind that there will inevitably be negative impacts of Ecotourism, e.g. increased air pollution and accidental damage. Our top tip is to conduct thorough research before booking your next trip. By doing this, travellers will obtain a true experience of the natural world and can relax in the knowledge that they have contributed to the preservation of our oceans, not the exploitation!

What are some small changes we can all make that could collectively make a big difference to the ocean?

Here at WiseOceans, we strongly believe that together, we can create a world with healthier oceans. No act is too small! So, our key advice would be to just start! Whether that is by growing our own vegetable patch, minimising your reliance on single-use plastic or by researching eco-friendly swaps, the possibilities are endless.

This World Ocean Day, we at Ker & Downey Africa would like to salute the excellent work done by the team at WiseOceans, and Four Seasons Seychelles and encourage our travelers to embark on this conservation journey of a lifetime with us!