PIPA Newsletter

Only 4 hours & 2 minutes of illegally fishing in the PIPA

costed Marshall US$1million fine ……………………………………....p1

Dr. Greg Stone received the Kiribati Prestigious Award

from HE Anote Tong……………………………………………………p1-2

PIPA Trust Board Meeting Report..………………………..………….. P2-3

Rock Expedition Tasted the Giant Traverly of the PIPA..………………p4

TIGHAR & Betchart in Nikumaroro………...………………………..…p4

International Scientists Study the PIPA Deep Seas………………….….p4-5

Would El Nino be able to Strike the PIPA Corals Again

as in Year 2002?…………………………………...……………….……p6

PIPA Aims at Improving its Eyes in the Skies…..……………...….…….p7

Green Peace Augmented PIPA Surveillance Efforts………………….….p7

Prince Albert 11 of Monaco Visited our Shores………………………….p8

Silversea Silver Explorer is Visiting Kanton Island in the PIPA……...….p8

PIO will launch its Kanton Branch in November 2015..………………....p9

Kanton Airport will Open for Domestic Service in 2016………………...p9

The PIPA House Remains a Burning Dream of the PIO.………...……...p10

The PIPA House; What is it for?…………………………………….pp11-12

Picture extracted from the PIPA webpage (I-volutions)

Gambling a chance to fish illegally in the PIPA is a very Risky Game -

Don’t ever try it…..! Warned the PIPA Implmentation Office.

In this edition: Only 4 hours and 2 Minutes of illegal activity in the

PIPA costed FV Marshall 203 US$1million fine.

The Marshall 203, call-signed V7TX4 was confirmed car-

rying out illegal activity in the PIPA waters according to

RSP Google-Earth for live tracks. Based on the vessel

tracks extracted from VMS ST the vessel was confirmed to

have fished along the borderline to South-West of the PIPA

area and then continued fishing into the PIPA area approxi-

mately 104.8 nautical miles to McKean Island. However,

the fishing in the PIPA actually occurred on the early hours

of Tuesday, 23rd of June 2015, starting from 4.14am to

8.16am - a total fishing period of only 4 hours and 2

minutes.

The PIPA Implementation Office (PIO) was alerted by the

Kiribati Maritime Patrol Unit (KMPU) in the afternoon of

Wednesday, 24 June 2015 and was asked for funds - for

fuel. PIO instantly instructed the Kiribati Oil Company to

provide fuel for RKS Teanoai which then immediately

sailed to the PIPA the next day, 25th of June 2015. The

chase mission, named Operation PIPA, set of in the after-

noon of Thursday, 25th of June 2015, after getting the re-

fill, pooling the strategic crew, and in seeing the timing

was right to start.

The Operation PIPA was engaged in a chase for 4 days (96

hours) and after then intercepted into Marshall 203 in the

early hours (2100hrs) of 28 June 2015 and at 9am of 29th

of June 2015 FV Marshall 203 was successfully arrested

and escorted back to Betio port. The perpetrator was se-

curely escorted into port 6pm on 2nd of July 2015 with the

captain and crews put in prison and awaited prosecution.

After a weeklong celebrations of Kiribati Independence

starting from 12-17 of July, 2015, the FV Marshall 203

was prosecuted in court and was sentenced to a fine of

US$1million. The fishing company whose fleet is Marsh

203 also made a special goodwill arrangement with the

Government of Kiribati and agreed to donate another

US$1million, as a form of grant. To sum this up, the FV

Marshall paid US$2million packaged as a fine and dona-

tion.

Though the PIO wanted more punitive measures applied,

this is the best and just decision reached - based on data

surrounding the arrest and also respectful to the Laws of

Kiribati. The KMPC expressed thanks to the PIO for the

prompt offer of financial support that had made the PIPA

Operation mission a success. The PIO however silently

owed more thanks to the Ted Waitt Foundation and Oceans

5 for the grant they have generously made available to-

wards protecting the PIPA for the year 2015.

Dr. Gregory Stone, the main architect of the PIPA Initiative was

awarded by His Excellency Anote Tong one of the highest Kiribati

National Honours prestigiously known as the National Order of the

Pride of Kiribati during the 36th Anniversary Celebrations of the Re-

public of Kiribati, on Monday morning, 13th of July, 2015.

This national event witnessed by more than ten thousand people and witnessed

by Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentarians, Speaker of Parliament, ...continued p2

Dr. Greg Stone received the Kiribati prestigious Award

from HE President Anote Tong

PIO stands for the PIPA Implementation Office which publishes this newsletter.

1

A week before the Board meeting, the island was in full

swing to prepare the island for the visiting delegations

mainly from the US, New Zealand, Dominica and Tarawa,

the capital of Kiribati.

Kiritimati, the largest atoll in the world is the second capital of

the Republic of Kiribati, after Tarawa. The island is one of the

world top game-fishing destinations lies far east of the Gilbert

and Phoenix islands and is part of the Line Islands. It is two

hours away from Honolulu or 5 hours away from Tarawa by

plane and its selection for the PIPA Board meeting venue was

again based on the fact that the island is only 700 km away

from the PIPA and holds many resemblances of the PIPA,

which the delegation would find useful in inspiring the meeting.

Dr, Gregory Stone, the Chairman of the PIPA Trust Board, and

who also serves as Vice President of the Conservation Interna-

tional, one of the founding partners of the PIPA, said in his

opening remarks that the island of Kiritimati (pronounced

Christmas) is always the right venue where he can listen to the

sounds of the waves, birds, planktons, and smell the breeze and

natural scent of the sea, the corals...so much a place conducive

in pondering ways forward to foster protection and development

of the PIPA - the world class MPA. He continued to express his

heartfelt gratitude to the hospitality that always flowed forth

freely and naturally from the people of Kiritimati. The island

has been host to the Board’s meeting for the second time and

the level of support, hospitality and friendliness has never fet-

tered.

Attending the meeting were the PIPA Board Directors, Hon.

Tiarite G. Kwong, as Vice-Chairman, and also serves as Minis-

ter for Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development of

the Government of Kiribati, Ms. Nigella Hillgarth, a Treasurer

and also a President and CEO of the NEAq, Jacob James, a Di-

rector, and also a Managing Director of the Ted Waitt Founda-

tion. Also in attendance are the Honourable Ministers of the

Ministry of Communication, Transport and Tourism Develop-

ment, Mr. Rimeta Bineamina, Ministry of Lines and Phoenix

Islands, Mr. Iete Temoku, the Attorney General, Mr. Titabu

Tabane, Government Secretaries, Tiimi Kaiekieki of the Minis-

try of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development, Ms.

Wiiriki Toma of the Ministry of Lines and Phoenix Islands De-

velopment, the PIPA Trust Managing Director Dr. Teuea Toatu,

who is also Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors, the

PIO Director, Mr. Tukabu Teroroko, Christine Greene, the PI-

PA Cultural Ambassador, Sue Taei, Managing Director of CI

New Zealand Office, and all other representatives of Ministries

and public companies that are stakeholders of the PIPA and

have investment interest in the PIPA.

Also present were the High Commissioners of Australian High

Commission, George Fraser and New Zealand High Commis-

sioner, Don Higgins.

For the first time, the representative of Google was received and

the Board acknowledged with thanks Google’s interest to help

the PIPA. (continued p3)

Dr. Greg Stone Receives Kiribati

Prestigious National Order of ‘The

Pride of Kiribati’...continued from p1.

9th Board Meeting of the PIPA

Trust: 18 - 20 June 2015 -

Kiritimati Island

the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, Heads of Diplomatic

Missions, top Government Officials, school children, and church

groups was quite historical and declared a milestone for the

whole of the PIPA Family here in Kiribati and abroad.

Dr. Stone first discovered the “underwater garden of Eden” in

the PIPA in 1999 and 2000 on a New England Aquarium scien-

tific expedition. In 2002 Stone and his team compiled a report

and DVD documentary of the PIPA capturing the unique beauty

and pristine conditions of the PIPA and reported to Government

of Kiribati. Starting in 2004 the PIPA Concept was accepted by

the Government of Kiribati and Stone since then worked closely

with the Government of Kiribati on a number of programmes

that perceived as essential starting points to protect the PIPA and

making it recognised on the world stage.

Since year 2000, Dr. Greg Stone has become a regular visitor to

Kiribati and recognised as one of the most trustworthy advisors

and friends of Kiribati on matters related to marine and ocean

conservation. In addition to his noted passion for the ocean

Stone has been recognised by the Government of Kiribati and

family members of the PIPA in Kiribati as holding deep respect

for Kiribati, its cultures and its people and particularly his re-

spect to the political leadership which he always claimed inter-

nationally as main driving force behind the successes of the PI-

PA Initiative, which indisputably stands now as an iconic MPA,

a global leader in Ocean Conservation, and the largest and deep-

est MPA in the UNESCO’s World Heritage. PIPA has put Kiri-

bati on the world map and Dr. Stone has been the major contrib-

utor working hard on the initiative for more than 16 years.

President Tong, on the occasion, which was aired live on radio

Kiribati, reverberated; “Dr. Gregory Stone has been the real

Pride of Kiribati and though this Honourary has never been

awarded to any foreigner, Dr. Stone duly deserves the right to

receive it, as he has done so much to Kiribati and to the people

of Kiribati for almost 20 years.”

On the eve of the event, the State Banquet followed at the Bairi-

ki State House where more than 500 guests attended, the PIO

team joined up with Stone to congratulate him. One of Stone’s

responses was simple to remember; “This Award is not just for

me but for all of you and the whole of the PIPA family - so I

acknowledge and thank you all.”

Dr. Gregory Stone is the current Chairman of the PIPA Conser-

vation Trust, he is also the Conservation International Vice-

President, and Chief Marine Scientist. He is recognised interna-

tionally for his deep understanding of the Oceans and has also

been given a number of international awards for his wide re-

search, expeditions in unexplored seas, and many publications.

We wish you all the best Greg and you duly deserve the award.

We will continue to work with you on the PIPA Initiative, also

known as Kiribati’s Gift to Humanity, and which the people of

Kiribati takes pride in and sees as their true ‘Okai’ (traditional

storehouse) to strengthen their food security base and economic

development today and into the future.

2

The meeting checked on the progress and performance of the PIPA

Implementation Office in 2014. Also went through the financial

reports of the PIPA Trust Office based in Tarawa.

In this Board meeting, Jacob James, Managing Director of the Waitt

Foundation was welcomed as new Director of the PIPA Trust.

James conveyed the greetings of Mr. Ted Waitt and the foundation

and the Board acknowledged with thanks the receipt of the financial

contribution towards the PIPA Management in the amount of

US$1million for the year 2015.

Some interesting updates include the PIPA Science and sharing of

scientific findings in the PIPA expeditions conducted in 2012 and

2014 where tuna larvae was a major find. Dr. Nigella Hillgarth of

NEAq presented that NEAq in conjunction with WHOI and Scripps,

will lead a scientific research expedition to PIPA in September 2015.

In addition, the Sea Education Association (SEA) will be leading an

expedition to PIPA in July 2015 that will be following a similar ship

track to last year, spanning the full latitude of PIPA and exploring

stations along the Tokelau Ridge to provide insight into seamount

dynamics versus islands. She also flagged a pre-proposal that has

been submitted to the Trust for consideration that would provide

funding to support scientific capacity building for I-Kiribati national

to participate in the SEA expedition and assist with the collection

and processing of larval tuna samples. To date, the Government of

Kiribati through the PIO expressed deep thanks that the July Expedi-

tion has been successfully completed and its official report is now

awaited while the September Expedition is still underway.

Mr. Brian Sullivan of Google Ocean did an eye-opening presentation

on the powers of the programme called Global Fishing Watch in

partnership with Ocean and Sky Truth to see what is happening in

the oceans or in the MPAs. The Board acknowledged the importance

of the technology and the good progress towards improving remote-

sensing surveillance. Brian added that the program utilizes AIS data

to track vessels in aggregate or monitor down to the individual vessel

level. The system can also identify vessels that have switched off

their AIS and hone in on areas of higher risk. Since the Board meet-

ing, PIO was in constant contact with Brian Sullivan seeking advice

on surveillance matters.

Chairman Stone and Christine Greene did a presentation on the Pa-

cific Rising Concept, a PIPA Climate Change Strategy, a “Marshall

Plan” of Opportunity & Growth for the Pacific built on a public/

private platform of technology, enterprise and culture. They pro-

posed the creation of a new non-profit organization in the U.S. to

amass funding (from the U.S. private sector) to implement a

“Marshall Plan” for the Pacific called “Pacific Rising”, focusing first

on “Kiribati rising”. The initiative would allow people to adapt to

climate change impacts by creating local and regional stability, low-

er costs, economic opportunity and prosperity and cultural preserva-

tion and mitigate potential higher disaster recovery costs, greater

number of refugees, regional instability and lost culture. They ex-

plained that the initiative is broken up into three pillars: technology,

enterprise and culture which is an unprecedented public/private part-

nership blueprint for Pacific elevation plan success.

PIO presented on the outreach which continued to reach out

communities, schools by way of roadshow and Night of the

Turtle entertainments and use of radio. Also the concept of

the PIPA House was also presented in full details. The Board

saw appropriateness in setting up the House which will be-

come a center of learning and museum for PIPA and with a

purpose of serving students in Tarawa. Funding for the PIPA

House remains the delaying factor and PIO will continue to

seek supporters locally and abroad.

Mr. Cliff Juillerat, PIO’s consultant who worked on Kanton

Resource Utilisation Sustainable Plan (KRUSP) and Eco-

Tourism Development in the PIPA presented ways forward to

prepare Kanton, the hub for the PIPA, for resources use and

zonation and eventual development of the island as a global

center for controlled eco-tourism and research. Cliff presented

plans to zone the island into multiple use that will guide and

control eco-tourism and research activities and at the same

time to generate enough money for the Government of Kiri-

bati and some revenues that will help meet costs of protecting

the PIPA. The PIO is now continuing works on the KRUSP

and other manuals which are expected to complete before end

of the year.

Mr. Jeff Jong, Managing Director of Coral Ace, a locally

based company that manages the Pacific Flyers Club did a

presentation on the potential of his company to do timely and

cost-effective surveillance and charted runs by his two planes.

The Board noted this local capacity and PIO is now mindful

of this available service in times of need.

The delegations spent a whole week on Kiritimati island and

outside meeting hours, they went out on different tours. In the

weekends some went for diving, some chose offshore fishing,

and some went on land tours for the birds, milkfish ponds, vil-

lage tour, school visit, and so forth.

Every night, the delegations were invited to over the beach par-

ties in the villages of Ronton (London), Banana and Tabwakea

(Turtle). Feasting and dancing were always major highlight and

some island entertainment from youth and women groups.

Honourable Ministers coming from Tarawa, Tiarite G. Kwong

and Rimeta Bineamina said their vote of thanks to the Minister of

Line and Phoenix Islands Development, Tawita Temoku, who is

also host of the meeting for the continuous support to the PIPA

and being a source of inspiration due to the unfading

hospitality.

9th Board Meeting of the PIPA Trust: 18 - 20 June 2015 -

Kiritimati Island...continued from p2

Picture of the delegations of the 9th PIPA Trust Board meeting

held at Captain Cook Hotel, Kiritimati Island.

3

Mr. Luke Wyrsta of the Rock Expedition enquired possibilities of

doing catch and release sports fishing (Trevally Popper Fishing, Fly-

Fishing & Bonefishing), photography and snorkeling in the PIPA in

June 2015. In last week of June he was awarded the PIPA Permit -

confined to controlled catch and release on all targeted fish species

and under the supervision of a local PIPA Observer.

The expedition took 6 days from 10-16 of July and involved 7 game-

fishers from the US, UK, South Africa, Malaysia and Australia. This was

also the first game-fishing ever executed in the PIPA under a Recreation-

al Activity.

On his return Luke submitted a report on the expedition and experience

of his fishermen as also required by the PIPA. He said; “Oh, this is world

-class. I never thought it would be like this….I haven’t seen this any-

where in the world.” On the earlier communications with Luke, he was

alerted that the PIPA waters surrounding all its atoll 8 islands is so abun-

dant in all species of fish. The PIPA Office also conveyed to Luke that

while only small-scale gamefishing is permitted, fishermen are expected

to follow strict procedures to ensure good handling to all catches and

their timely release back into the sea. The PIPA was so grateful to Luke

for his high professionalism in doing this catch and release fishing in the

PIPA and for taking time with his fishermen to intermingle with the 25

lonely people that stay on Kanton - as Government caretakers.

In the separate report of the local Observer, Mr. Tiare Etei, it was stated

that Luke and the seven fishermen knew well how to handle the fish

when caught, taken up beyond the sea for photograph in a carefully

timed period and then its eventual safe release to the sea. Luke was the

first applicant on gamefishing in the PIPA and is now put on PIPA’s

record as a Pioneer in the PIPA Catch and Release Fishing. Because of

his professional performance the PIPA is now working with him on ways

forward to improve this recreational activity in the PIPA and based on

his experience the PIPA will count on him for future plans to expand and

market the PIPA as top destination for Giant Trevally Popping and

Bonefishing games. PIO thanked Luke for his good recommendations

and kind gifts of food and extra fuel to the community in Kanton.

The International Group for Historical Aircraft Restora-

tion (TIGHAR) and the Betchart Expedition visited Niku-

maroro to continue their famous research surrounding the

8-decade search for Amelia Earhart and Noonan whose

disappearance details are said to be centered on this remote

island of Nikumaroro.

The TIGHAR team led by Dr. Richard Gillespie was comprised

of 14 experts in different areas (historians, archeologists, video

and drone experts, ROV pilots, etc..) arrived in Nikumaroro on

13th of June to do their work and at the same time to further

explore the beauty and pristine condition of the island - locally

known as ‘Land of the Coconut Crab’. They left on the Nai’a

on 26th of June 2015.

This was the 12th visit of TIGHAR to Nikumaroro in their

Earhart search which started in 1989. The Kiribati government

has a separate exclusive agreement with TIGHAR to carry out

its research in a concerted effort to confirm the strong claims

that Nikumaroro is really the graveyard of this mysterious Avi-

ation legend, Amelia Earhart. Now the PIO awaits results of

this June expedition.

On 25th of June 2015, the Fiji Princess brought in a new team,

the Betchart Expedition to Nikumaroro. This is another US-

based group jointly organised with TIGHAR. Aside from the

archeological and other scientific works in support of what the

TIGHAR has been doing, the Betchart leader, Mr. Robert Nan-

sen used this expedition to acquaint the participants to the work

of TIGHAR and to introduce them to the unique and fragile

resources, with particular emphasis on the natural environment

and history, notably Nikumaroro’s possible association with the

disappearance of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan. The

Betchart spent 4 days in Nikumaroro. Again the PIO is await-

ing the report on their work. It is anticipated that these reports -

from the TIGHAR and Betchart will not only help build the

resources of the PIPA, which stands now as one of the most

documented MPAs; these same findings will be used by the

PIPA, Government of Kiribati, and also by the TIGHAR and

Betchart to help promote the PIPA as one of the world-class

MPAs rich in history, stories and marine lessons that will bene-

fit the world.

Scientists of the NEAq, WHOI, Scripps and the SEA had

completed their scientific surveys once again around the

PIPA EEZ and deep seas - 18 July - 7th of August 2015..

The expedition comprised of international students and lectur-

ers from around the world with major funding support of Ted

Waitt Foundation, continued the paths and methods of surveys

done in 2013 using the modern scientific laboratory and equip-

ment aboard the research vessel; Robert C. Seamans. .

The scientific activities were carried out along the site stations

they had fixed in the earlier mission within the PIPA. They

used hydrocast deployed to 600m deep to collect sea water

samples as their raw data. The datasets collected from the sta-

tions and between stations during the day and night were then

instantly analysed. Aboard the vessel. The fish larvae, other

small tiny planktons so called Salps were thoroughly studied

and categorized.

Within the PIPA there are many seamounts, submerged moun-

tains, which have a noticeable impact on the current flow and

other biological and physical characteristics of the surrounding

water. The study used data collected in and around the stations

and the Winslow Reef, a seamount in PIPA, and assessed the

parameters of current flow, salinity levels, chlorophyll concen-

trations, and zooplankton density for the seamount area. An

assessment of the potentiality of ……..continue (p5)

Rock Expedition Tasted the Giant

Trevally of the PIPA

TIGHAR & Betchart in Nikumaroro

Mr. Luke Wyrsta, owner of the Rock Expedition holding the PIPA

Giant Traverly caught in shallow waters of Kanton Lagoon.

The great fishermen of the Rock Expedition who set

the professional standard in gamefishing in the PIPA.

International Scientists Study the

PIPA Deep Seas

4

seamounts to be hotspots of biodiversity/biomass, as well as their

display of the Island Mass Effect (IME) was carried out; the data

collected supports that Winslow displays specific changes in the

primary and secondary productivity levels, and has characteristics

descriptive of the IME.

The Robert C. Seamans vessel is really a full-fletched floating lab

and classroom at the same time. And the good thing about this pro-

gramme lies in what it will produce as its results at end of all anal-

yses. The PIPA and Government of Kiribati as well as the world are

waiting for the full scientific result of this survey. The government

of Kiribati has more interest in seeing mounting reports that tuna is

really spawning in the PIPA to augment what previous reports have

stated. Our scientist, Mr. Toaea Beiateuea, said that they found out

more tuna larvae and they even saw more than 10 medium sized

sperm whales. These are all interesting and exciting findings.

This expedition focused more on the following tasks which the

PIPA sees as crucial and important:

(1) Distribution of Larval Tuna in the Phoenix Islands Protect-

ed Area;

(2) Abundance of Seabirds in and Around the Phoenix Islands

Protected Area;

(3) Bioluminescence within the Phoenix Islands Protected Area

Spatial Distribution;

(4) Density and Relation to Chlorophyll-a Concentrations of

Pelagic Tunicates within the Phoenix Island Protected Area;

(5) The Seamount Effect: an Empirical Characterization and

Visualization of Winslow Reef, a seamount in PIPA;

(6) Fresh water resources in the island nation of Kiribati;

(7) Examination of MPA & recommendations to the PIPA for

the protection of the biodiversity.

(8) Examination of climate change impacts in Kiribati islands

and the PIPA;

(9) What can the i-Kiribati and other Pacific Islanders teach the

Westernized World about climate change and it’s Impacts?

(10) Depositional patterns in the Phoenix island atolls, i.e. a

subsurface analysis of Kanton and Orona in the Phoenix

Group. The mission spent 37 days at sea and all crews, scientists and stu-

dents dispersed to their respective countries from Pago Pago on the

14th of August, 2015.

SSV Robert C. Seamans is a 134-foot steel sailing brigantine

operated by the Sea Education Association (SEA) for oceano-

graphic research and sail training. She is equipped with hydro-

graphic winches, bathymetric equipment, biological and geological

sampling equipment, a

wet/dry laboratory, and a

computer laboratory. The

Robert C. Seamans runs an

undergraduate academic

study abroad program,

with intensive research in

oceanography, maritime

studies, and nautical sci-

ence with hands-on experi-

ence aboard a traditional

sailing ship. (Source: Free

Wikipedia).

Great news that in the late summer of 2017, another deep-sea will

continue on the RV Falkor meeting the priorities of the PIPA 10-

year plan. Randi, PIPA International Scientist and NEAq Associate

Research Scientist said; “this will enable a substantial categoriza-

tion of PIPA seamounts and deep-sea habitat in a very rapid period

of time. Given that our current knowledge is essentially zero, this

is a huge boon!” She conveyed to PIO Director in her email dated

15th of October, 2015.

International Scientists Study the

PIPA Deep Seas...continued...

SSV Robert C. Seamans (Wikipedia)

International Scientists Study the

PIPA Deep Seas...continued...

GOOD NEWS AND A MAGNIFICENT SIGHT

According to the live blog (pipa.neaq.org) made ready to post daily up-

dates on this expedition, there were many exciting sightings, from above

the water and below. Many turtles were spotted during snorkeling, as were

Blacktip and Grey Reef Sharks, and the fish were found to be curious and

unafraid of us. Some giant Maori Wrasses sized us up as we swam along

the reef. For many of the students on board, these are their first tropical

snorkeling experiences, and even to the novices it was clear how special

this place was.

Almost as good as what we saw was what we didn’t see. Coral bleaching

associated with these warm water episodes seems absent, and save some

very few isolated colonies in the lagoon of Kanton Atoll, we have seen

little evidence of any bleaching. This is good news, as these reefs are still

recovering from a severe El Nino-related bleaching event in 2002 when

much of the reef died. Reported Jan Witting, a SEA chief scientist.

Jan continued to say; “most of the imagery we see about these tropical

oceans feature coral reefs. It is natural, given the dazzling array of colors,

the sheer abundance of marine life. At 2:30pm on some 30NM from Oro-

na, we were reminded of the importance of the rest, the deep ocean waters

as we encountered a large pod of sperm whales. This was a magnificent

sight, six, seven spouts of their exhale to be seen at any given moment all

around us, the closest within 200 feet of the ship. The total number of the

whales we’ll never know, but it must have been some dozens. We woke

everyone up for this spectacle, and watched in awe as the pod slowly

passed us by on both sides of the ship. “

Jan made a most relieving comment here since the PIPA, known as an

MPA without whales, does have whales! When did the whales start to

revive, no idea! And how many whales are there now? Again not known

but the fact is that the PIPA does have sperm whales now which were in

the 18th-19th century so abundant but were inconsiderably and hugely

decimated by the US New England whaling company. A prominent histor-

ical landmark in the Woods Hole village, the home port of our fine ship

Robert C. Seamans, is a tan-colored stone building called the Candle

House. It was so called as this is where the whale oil from the Pacific (and

elsewhere) was rendered into candlesticks that would light the houses and

mills of New England.

The whaling sailors on those voyages would have been delighted by the

sight as well, their delight very different in nature in form of a prospect of

a profitable voyage. It is uplifting to think about this evolution in attitudes,

in appreciation and in priorities. Although on the ship we shared the sense

to a person, this transformation is far from universal of course. I do hope

that in the broader society we will in time extend this sense of delight and

awe to the other sights of the ocean that we’ve been lucky enough to see

on this voyage - the thrashing school of feeding, leaping tuna making the

surface waters boil, the wheeling masses of seabirds diving into the sea.

So this expedition rekindles hope since two key things were reported to be

seen in good conditions; the coral reefs that still strive forward and the

sperm whales which had been reported missing form this Phoenix Islands

waters since the 19th century. With the latter there is a lot more to learn as

when do these sperm whales start returning to the PIPA. Are they spawn-

ing and breeding in the PIPA or they just happened to pass through? These

are the kind of questions that need to be properly addressed by the PIPA

scientists in the future.

The PIO is also delighted to learn the latest update of Sue Tae, CI Execu-

tive Director of the NZ Office that in the upcoming visit of the Silversea

Explorer to the PIPA, Olive Andrews and Cory Weaver will join the cruise

to focus on whale research (sightings and acoustics) during this cruise.

They will have a towed acoustic array which will be able to listen to

whales and we hope to confirm sperm whales in the PIPA area. As you

know no sightings have been seen of this species in expeditions to PIPA

despite this being a sperm whaling ground during the 18th Century. The

research is non invasive, harmless and will add to the experience of those

visiting PIPA. The Research Reports will be provided to the PIPA office,

and this work complements the NEAq intern compilation of information

and we hope contributes to whale conservation more widely. Sue, added.

5