Marine conservation organisation Sea Shepherd has launched into the Middle East with a United Arab Emirates chapter.
Celebrating 40 years in operation, Sea Shepherd is known globally as a direct-action organization focusing on innovative tactics to investigate, document, expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas.
Some of Sea Shepherd’s most successful campaigns have seen Sea Shepherd work with authorities to arrest illegal fishing operations in places such as Africa, East Timor and even in Antarctica.
Recently, the organisation, in a joint operation in partnership with the Liberian Ministry of National Defence to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Republic of Liberia, West Africa, assisted the Liberian Coast Guard in the arrest of a notorious fishing vessel the F/V Labiko which is on three different international blacklists.
Since September 17 this year, the marine conservation organization has been patrolling the waters of the Republic of Liberia in West Africa in an operation under the coordination of the Honourable Minister Brownie Samukai. Sea Shepherd’s vessel the MY Sam Simon is patrolling Liberia’s coastline with 19 crew under Captain Bart Schulting, in addition to ten Liberian Coast Guard sailors with the authority to board, inspect and arrest ships suspected of violating Liberian law, and two Israeli maritime advisors and conservationists providing training assistance.
But the fleet of Sea Shepherd ships, which now numbers 11 and the crew of volunteers offshore is not just what Sea Shepherd is about. By also having access to volunteers onshore, the organization ensures local issues as also being addressed.
For Sea Shepherd UAE these issues include marine debris whereby volunteers assist with beach and ocean clean-up days as well as promoting the use of their replacement merchandise to combat single-use plastics.
Sea Shepherd globally has partnered with Keep Cup to promote reusable takeaway coffee cups, while also offering replacements for plastic water bottles and plastic bags through the sale of stainless steel flasks and canvas bags in additional to a great deal of high quality, eco-friendly merchandise.
Since officially being registered as a not-for-profit in September, Sea Shepherd UAE has already held a number of pop up stalls such as those at the Dubai Creek Pre-owned Boat Show and the SeaYou Watersports Challenge. They have also partnered with a number of key stakeholders to host beach cleanups, movie screenings and educative days.
Captain Paul Watson
The 1st December saw the chapter celebrate its launch while also celebrating 40 years on the frontline of marine conservation for Sea Shepherd globally. With a video from the founder, Captain Paul Watson welcoming the chapter and the future direction of Sea Shepherd globally shared by the group’s Asian Director, Gary Stokes, the night was filled with memories from veteran crew member Trevor Van Der Gulik as well as footage of the successes throughout the history of Sea Shepherd.
The UAE chapter, headed by shark conservationist and PADI Scuba Diving Instructor Natalie Banks looks to have a bright future, with plans to obtain a support vessel for the organization’s campaigns, including marine debris, which could also provide training skills for those interested in offshore campaigns. There are also already talks taking place about plans to work with authorities to assist in the removal of ghost nets (fishing nets left in the water) which consistently ensnare and kill marine life.
Natalie herself is excited to have the chapter operating in the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s an exciting time to be involved in marine conservation in the Emirates and I’m really looking to working with authorities and stakeholders to defend, conserve and protect the marine environment,” Natalie said.
Sea Shepherd volunteers Ryan and Rachel remove debris from their local beach
By safeguarding the biodiversity of the delicately balanced oceanic ecosystem, Sea Shepherd works to ensure its survival for future generations.
Natalie is supported by an enthusiastic and passionate board as well as having 28 volunteers register locally since officially launching.
“The enthusiasm our onshore volunteers have for marine conservation and the networks we are building is what continues to motivate me everyday to improve and at this stage, build Sea Shepherd UAE,” Natalie said.
“We have had volunteers from all walks of life join us, from lawyers, pilots and air hostesses to at-home-parents, scuba divers and surfers and that is the beauty of Sea Shepherd; you only really need to have a strong commitment to marine conservation to become a volunteer and from there the opportunities are endless.”
Sea Shepherd UAE Managing Director Natalie Banks
Natalie herself started as an assistant to the Managing Director of Sea Shepherd Australia before working her way up to being an adviser to the Board of Sea Shepherd Australia regarding shark conservation and now President/Managing Director of Sea Shepherd United Arab Emirates after being involved in three offshore campaigns.
“Volunteering for our global offshore campaigns is one of the most exciting adventures a person will experience at sea,” Natalie said.
“You get to be a part of a crew all focused on saving the marine environment while also learning new skills on the job and making friendships that can truly last a lifetime.”
To show your interest or express your support of Sea Shepherd, please email uaeadmin@seashepherdglobal.org ■
