Safeguarding the Ocean [Celine Murphy]

Pete and I attended the launch of First Descent at the home of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London last week. The event centred around the First Descent collaboration of Ocean Research, Nekton, the Commonwealth and other partners working on deep ocean exploration and marine conservation.

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, the RT Hon Patricia Scotland QC was inspiring in her address to the audience educating all on the effects of climate change, pollution and over fishing. I learned, during the course of the evening, that over 8 million tonnes of plastic is dumped in the Ocean each year, with devastating consequences.  We met a very interesting and diverse group of people from renowned scientists and world leading maritime conservationists to arctic explorers and journalists, all passionate about one common goal – to reverse this damage to our environment. 

The Commonwealth Blue Charter aims to conserve 30% of worlds Ocean by 2030 and the Seychellois government is leading the way, aiming to hit target by 2020. This will help protect biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, support fisheries and safeguard cultural traditions tied to our oceans. The Nekton project is a pioneering series of missions for scientific exploration and conservation of the Indian ocean, the worlds least explored and least protected ocean. Mission II will endeavour to create a toolkit for all 53 commonwealth countries for change and environmental conservation. The data collected from this First Descent will inform the development of the Commonwealth Blue Charter other ocean conservation initiatives globally. 

Priavo will be contributing to this important mission through the charitable provision of marine security, risk management and armed security personnel for the Nekton vessel, scientists and crew throughout Mission II. 

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