Ocean Geographic - OG 55 Update and Cover Voting

Message from Michael AW – Ocean Geographic

Hello Everyone

I trust this finds you happy and well. 2020 has been haunted by many bitter-sweet moments. Many of us have endured losses both at a commercial and personal level. At Ocean Geographic, we have endeavoured to adapt and pivot to survive into 2021. We are grateful you have stayed with us … associates, partners, members, our deepest thank you.

Perhaps the most significant adaptation, born out of this pandemic year, is Ocean Geographic LIVE & Forum programs. Our expanse of coverage comprises of arts, photography, conservation, sea science, sojourns are presented by celebrities, experts and emerging professionals. Of the 60 or so sessions, the one that is the most important is NextGen Youth for Ocean Conservation – the four participants from Australia, New Zealand and the USA are our hope for the future of our planet. Watch at https://bit.ly/3qZBroA. Because of this session, we are inspired to do more for our youth; Ocean Geographic can be a platform to encourage and empower future leaders. We are planning to set up OG NextGen Youth Society and scholarship in 2021 – as an individual or corporate, you can help us support to make dreams come true for future leaders. Message with NextGenYouth in the subject line for more information.

More than ever before now is the time to be hopeful and make a plan for 2021. I have just returned from a Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea coral spawning expedition. The reefs are healthy and well – some reefs are adorned with 90% live young corals – of course, we witnessed the spectacular spawning over 3 nights, with sharks, turtles and Potato Cods as well. I am so impressed that I am planning a repeat for next year’s spawning week. I am also planning a small group of 5 or 6 for the sardine run expedition with Walter Benardis in June; I have been doing the run with Walter almost every year since 2005 – we pick the best date for success.

For the warm water, coral triangle enthusiasts; we are planning a trip in October on the GAIA LOVE to the Forgotten Islands & Triton Bay – this is the other Raja Ampat with more soft corals coverage, more endemic fishes especially Flasher wrasse and great possibilities of whale sharks. In November, we have set up with a new vessel for swim with the orcas and humpbacks in the fjords of Northern Norway in November (10 pax only) You are the first to know about this; again, if any of the aforementioned, sparks an interest, email us. There is one spot remaining for our expedition to Socorro in June and if you are into Dolphins, Giant Hammerheads and Tiger sharks, join us in Bahamas, November 2021 – these you can check out here.

Our first edition for 2021 will be very special – the Silver Seas edition inspired by Ernie H. Brooks II. Ernie, acknowledged as the Ansel Adams of the ocean was our principal photographer for all three Elysium expeditions; Antarctic 2010, Arctic 2015 and Coral Triangle 2018. We are super excited to release a special selection of Ernie’s work from the three expeditions, comprising pictures that have never been seen before. The special will also include a selection of work “Inspired by Ernie” contributed by David Doubilet, Michael AW, Cathy Church, Richard Salas, Brad Doane, Alex Rose, Amanda Cotton, Christian Vizl and Jack Drafahl.

Our cover story is Lord Howe Island - An Overwhelming Wonder. This was my escapade in 2020, to discover Australia’s most underrated attraction – find out why Lord Howe is a perfect model for sustainable tourism. While Katherine Lu reveals to us the World of Otters in a Jungle City, Alex Rose will take you through Baja, a sea of endless natural wonders.

For now, take a sneak preview of the selection of covers for our special Silver Seas edition – please help us pick the first cover of 2021: http://www.ogsociety.org/covers/og55vote.html

(if you can't see all 3 images you might need to scroll accross to the right on your desktop or phone to see the third one)

We thank you for your support.

All the Very Best

Michael AW

OceanGeographic.org.

Expeditions 2021

June- Socorro on the Vortex (giant mantas, hammerheads, dolphins)

June – Sardine Run – 6 pax (dolphins, sharks, baitballs, humpbacks)

July – Arctic – 12 pax (polar bears, walrus, arctic fox, glaciers, Ivory gull)

October – Triton Bay, Forgotten Islands, Indonesia

November – 10 pax, Tromso, Norway (orcas, humpbacks, Northern lights)

December – Tiger Beach, Bimini – Bahamas (Tiger sharks, Giant Hammerheads, dolphins)