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