Page 18 - Holidays with Kids - Volume 62 (January 2020)

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Diving deep “There are lots of places that allow kids to and Snorkel Trail offers guests of all ages the
With kids’ natural curiosity and their passion get actively involved in marine conservation opportunity to swim with anemone fish,
for our oceans, more and more families are and others where they can simply observe which have been drastically overharvested,
booking dive holidays, according to Deborah and learn about projects supported by the while helping research scientists collect data
Dickson-Smith of dive travel agent, Diveplanit. resorts they visit – perhaps by taking a tour through a citizen science program.
“Part of that must be SCUBA-mad parents with a ranger or visiting a turtle sanctuary.”
wanting to share their passion with their kids, One such provider is Captain Cook Cruises Education in action
but also, I think as more parents understand Fiji, which has a resident Ocean Ambassador Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji, on the
our oceans need protecting, more want to whose sole job is to educate villagers about island paradise of Savusavu, is a pioneer of
share this understanding with their kids – the plastic pollution and lead passengers on eco-tourism. Founded by Jean-Michel
next generation of ocean advocates,” she says. beach cleanups on all the remote islands they Cousteau – environmentalist, filmmaker and
Dickson-Smith also believes travel is one of visit on each cruise. Kids on board the cruises son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, who
the greatest educators, opening young eyes can participate in citizen science, as the says, “Protect the ocean and you protect
and minds to issues they may not realise exist, plastic pollution data collected is sent to a yourself” – it’s no surprise that marine
let alone understand. central database which studies the types of conservation and education is at the forefront
“When it comes to marine conservation, plastic waste found in the South Pacific. of the resort experience.
introducing kids to the underwater world With one of the world's best coral reefs just Recognising the part travelling plays in
gives them a better appreciation of the off the beach, Indonesia's Wakatobi Resort is nurturing young advocates, the resort
wonders that lie beneath the waves. With another great place to introduce youngsters encourages kids to participate in interpretative
that familiarity comes understanding – and to the wonders of the underwater world. The cultural and nature-based activities to help
a desire to protect,” she says. resort's award-winning conservation program them become better-informed future
But families must do their research to learn combines environmental stewardship with decision makers.
about marine environments and the threats tangible benefits for the local community. Besides its incredible location, one of the
faced before going on holiday, and strive to Attentive dive and snorkelling guides are resort’s greatest assets is its Marine Biologist
support the tourism operators – and available to point out unique marine life and and Naturalist, Johnny Singh. Johnny teaches
destinations – doing the right thing. there are activities and programs for all ages. guests about the significance of the natural
“Good examples include the Maldives, In north Bali, Dickson-Smith recommends world and the necessity of direct action
which has banned fishing trawlers and Sea Communities, which gets kids involved and advocacy.
net-fishing from its entire archipelago. in a coral restoration program that not only Under Johnny’s guidance, Jean-Michel
Another example is the tiny Micronesian helps regenerate a reef once destroyed by Cousteau Resort’s School Under the Sea
nation of Palau, which established the world’s dynamite fishing, but provides a new source provides an innovative educational experience
first ever Shark Sanctuary and now asks all of income for poor local fishermen. And at for kids. Activities include guided snorkel trips,
visitors to sign the ‘Palau Pledge’, a written Rawa Island Resort in Malaysia, dive interpretative nature hikes, mangrove
commitment for guests to act in an company OrcaNation has teamed up with excursions, coral and mangrove planting, and
environmentally responsible way, before they Flinders University to create the world’s first a school visit, with local buddies encouraging
will issue a visa,” says Dickson-Smith. IC-Anemone Trail. The Conservation Dive visiting kids to complete the program.

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