Message from Michael AW – Ocean Geographic & OG update
Help us choose the next cover for Ocean Geographic OG 57 ( see link below)
Dear OG members & friends
Abnormal has now become a new normal. Donning face masks, virtual meetings, being poked up the nose and down throat with cotton buds and paying to be in a quarantine jail are somewhat part of the new standard routine. As we navigate through this pandemic that has sparked changes in the way we live, we must still celebrate our ability to adapt to a changing environment.
A new study, published in the journal Nature, finds that the Antarctica ice sheet could reach a critical tipping point in just a few decades. The Antarctic holds enough land ice to raise global sea levels by more than 60 meters – imagine a landscape of a submerged San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Maldives … it is almost beyond the wildest imagination. This threat is imminent, we’re already seeing signs of trouble. Find out more about big trouble in the Antarctic and how Ocean Geographic and Mission Blue plan to inspire solutions. The next edition of Ocean Geographic will outline an Antarctic Climate Epic expedition with Dr. Sylvia Earle in 2023 on a new expedition ship aptly named ‘the SYLVIA EARLE’.
As always, we are super excited each year for our 3rd quarter edition – this is when we reveal the best pictures of the year. Pictures selected by legends and luminaries of underwater arts and science. While some of these award winners have the power to inspire appreciation of our natural world, some direct our attention to the plights and destruction we as a species have inflicted upon our natural environment. The final set of 150 pictures are a stunning showcase selected from this year’s submissions. We were privileged to have Her Deepness Dr. Sylvia Earle share with us the opening address and keynote message for the OGPICOTY Awards Show. You can view the show at: https://bit.ly/35xTVmB
We are born to explore, otherwise we would have roots like a tree instead of feet. As we emerge from this pandemic, it is now time for a return to where we came from! Time to work on aspirations and dreams and Vitamin SEA! We have two expeditions planned for the Maldives in 2022; two special expeditions to the Maldives and to see some of the healthiest coral reefs on our planet. The first is in March the Deep South Maldives Sharks & Rays expedition with a focus to interact with the most diverse shark population in the world: tigers, silver tips, oceanic whitetips, threshers, hammerheads, whale sharks, silkies, and of course the usual suspects – white-tip, grey reefs, and nurse sharks. Find out more - https://bit.ly/3c8P13H. The second is in April 2022 which will focus on mantas, whale sharks, and some of the signature reefs of Maldives. This is part of our Rainbow Sea book project. Write us for more information. And we are also running a special for the remaining spots for Bahamas Tigers, Great Hammerheads, and Dolphin expedition confirmed for Dec of this year: https://bit.ly/3d1QIjh
Meanwhile, we need your help; here is a sneak preview of a selection of covers for OG57 – the 2021 Sharks edition. Help us pick your favorite shark cover. We would appreciate your VOTE HERE. Thank you.
Have a Splendid Winter or Summer wherever you are!
Michael AW
Expeditions 2021 / 2022
November 2021 – 10 pax, Tromso, Norway (orcas, humpbacks, Northern lights)
December 2021– Tiger Beach, Bimini – Bahamas (Tiger sharks, Giant Hammerheads, dolphins)
March 2022 – Deep South Maldives – sharks and oceanic mantas
April 2022 – Central Maldives – Mantas, sharks and Rainbow Reefs
Nov 2022 - Socorro on the Vortex (giant mantas, hammerheads, dolphins)
歐
Instagram: @oceangeographic