In February 2019, four women will embark on an unprecedented
100km stand up paddle boarding expedition around Baa Atoll, Maldives.
Veterinary surgeons Dr. Cal Major and Dr. Claire Petros from
the UK, and ocean advocates Dhafeena "Dhafy" Hassan Ibrahim and Shaaziya
"Saazu" Saeed from the Maldives, will be exploring the threats faced by the
environment and marine life from plastic pollution, ghost fishing gear, and
climate change.
Stand Up for Our Seas is sponsored by Coco Collection and is
being conducted in collaboration with Coco Collections CSR partner Olive
Ridley Project (ORP), a UK charity based in the Indian Ocean which rescues and
rehabilitates turtles entangled by discarded fishing nets.
The team will travel on stand up paddleboards around Baa
Atoll, stopping off at different local islands and resorts, running beach
clean-ups, hosting talks at schools, and giving presentations to various
resorts and their guests. They will also be highlighting the steps and
initiatives already underway by the local communities to tackle these
issues.
The Stand Up for Our Seas team will set off from Coco Palm
Dhuni Kolhu on February 21st, and they will travel around the majority of the
atoll. They will end their expedition back at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu on February
28th.
The Stand Up for Our Sea Team
1. DR. CAL MAJOR
Cal is an ocean advocate, veterinary surgeon, world record stand up
paddleboarder and founder of the Paddle Against Plastic campaign. Her most
recent expedition saw her SUP the entire length of the UK to raise awareness of
plastic pollution.
2. DR. CLAIRE PETROS
Claire is a conservationist and lead veterinarian of the Olive Ridley Project.
She spends much of her time in the Maldives treating and rehabilitating injured
turtles, and educating people on the threat of plastic pollution and discarded
fishing nets.
3. SHAAZIYA SAEED
"Saazu", also
joining the SUP expedition, is a Dive Instructor by profession, co-founder of
Raalhu Edhuru Raajje tour and a volunteer for the "Farukoe" program.
She is determined to spread awareness of how to protect our islands, coral
reefs and the animals that make the Maldives unique.
4. DHAFEENA HASSAN IBRAHIM
"Dhafy", joining the SUP expedition, is a personal trainer, environmental
enthusiast and co-founder of the Raalhu Edhuru Raajje Tour - an initiative to
teach children all over the Maldives to surf and to protect the seas: she is
determined to spread awareness on protecting what makes the Maldives unique.
The Stand Up for Our Seas team will be accompanied by a support boat comprising of a team from the Olive Ridley Project. They will also be joined by award-winning landscape and adventure photographer and filmmaker, James Appleton. James will be documenting the entire expedition with photographs and films.
To follow along on this exciting journey, make sure to follow the team on social media:
Facebook: @standupforourseas
Instagram: @standupforourseas
Twitter: @up_seas
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