Island and Ocean Ecosystems
New milestones are being celebrated in the Pacific islands as the very first marine-based ecotourism conference this month resulted in a plan of action to strengthen this tourism niche in the region.
Called the Blue Days conference, it kick starts the framework for a multiyear programme under the Blue Days Project that will be put before decision-makers during the annual conferences of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in September and the Regional Meeting of Tourism Members in October this year.
Tours to see Spinner Dolphins in Tahiti - photo - Yan Peirsegaele
Jointly organised by the Government of French Polynesia and SPREP, the conference brought sixty participants from around their Pacific islands to form the programme framework that focuses on charismatic marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks.
The framework also acknowledges the importance of involving local communities and their cultural relationships with wildlife and how this can be strengthened and respected in marine-based ecotourism.
"This was a very inspiring conference that discussed ways for us to better understand and work with the notion that a healthy and sustainable marine life will grow our economies through marine-based ecotourism," said Ms. Pascale Salaun of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management Team at SPREP.
"We all feel empowered and ready to help see some very positive results that will see a healthy and vibrant marine life as well as a thriving ecotourism market in the Pacific."
A communiqué was developed from the conference which has designated SPREP and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) as the lead organisations to drive the Blue Days Project.
The Conference brought together over 60 participants for the Blue Days Project
This framework will allow both organisations to work together, raising funds to implement the multiyear programme. Held from 1 – 5 June in French Polynesia, the week-long conference finished with a Heava, a dance performance competition, an excursion to see spinner dolphins in Papeete's crystal waters as well as a Museum visit.
"As we head towards the Year of the Whale in 2016, we are very much excited about the Blue Days Conference and the excellent input and collaboration that will make the Blue Days Project a success," said Mr Michael Donoghue, the Threatened and Migratory Species Officer of SPREP.
"We are pleased that this project will be a win-win all round, the protection and safeguarding of our marine species as well as a growing economy through marine-based ecotourism. We look forward to what comes ahead from this."
For more information on the Blue Days Conference and the Blue Days Project please email [email protected] or [email protected]
Called the Blue Days conference, it kick starts the framework for a multiyear programme under the Blue Days Project that will be put before decision-makers during the annual conferences of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in September and the Regional Meeting of Tourism Members in October this year.
Tours to see Spinner Dolphins in Tahiti - photo - Yan PeirsegaeleJointly organised by the Government of French Polynesia and SPREP, the conference brought sixty participants from around their Pacific islands to form the programme framework that focuses on charismatic marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks.
The framework also acknowledges the importance of involving local communities and their cultural relationships with wildlife and how this can be strengthened and respected in marine-based ecotourism.
"This was a very inspiring conference that discussed ways for us to better understand and work with the notion that a healthy and sustainable marine life will grow our economies through marine-based ecotourism," said Ms. Pascale Salaun of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management Team at SPREP.
"We all feel empowered and ready to help see some very positive results that will see a healthy and vibrant marine life as well as a thriving ecotourism market in the Pacific."
A communiqué was developed from the conference which has designated SPREP and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) as the lead organisations to drive the Blue Days Project.
The Conference brought together over 60 participants for the Blue Days Project"As we head towards the Year of the Whale in 2016, we are very much excited about the Blue Days Conference and the excellent input and collaboration that will make the Blue Days Project a success," said Mr Michael Donoghue, the Threatened and Migratory Species Officer of SPREP.
"We are pleased that this project will be a win-win all round, the protection and safeguarding of our marine species as well as a growing economy through marine-based ecotourism. We look forward to what comes ahead from this."
For more information on the Blue Days Conference and the Blue Days Project please email [email protected] or [email protected]