“To become familiar with Parque Natural da Madeira means valuing it and conserving it better! The area of Parque Natural da Madeira, which covers approximately two-thirds of the territory of the Island of Madeira, is protected by legal mechanisms and concrete measures. It also enjoys the dedicated actions of private and public services and, in particular, counts on the determination of Madeiran citizens to preserve and hold it in high esteem.” – Manuel Antonio Rodrigues Correia, Madeira Regional Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources

Despite the fact that most sharks are among the most threatened marine wildlife in our oceans, shark conservation efforts continue to face great challenges due to sharks’ “reputation” as dangerous predators. Learn more about sharks from Hawaii Shark Encounters and be part of the global efforts to fight misconceptions, support more research and further conservation initiatives. Hawaii Shark Encounters works closely with Shark Allies, a non-profit organization that promotes proper understanding and respect for sharks and supports ocean conservation.

(This article was first published by our friends at whl.travel, who have agreed to its republication here.) In April 2001, John and Silvana Nicholls, today owners and operators of Vanuatu Hotels, arrived in Vanuatu to launch and manage the new White Grass Ocean Resort on the island of Tanna. It was their intention to ensure that it would operate according to strict environmental guidelines, so they immediately declared it a bird sanctuary, protecting fowl from the indigenous practice of hunting and eating them.

(This article was first published by our friends at whl.travel, who have agreed to its republication here.) Somewhere along the line we have all heard of the Maldives, renowned for their turquoise waters and year-round idyllic weather. With over 1,000 islets and 26 atolls, the Republic of Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean about 700km southwest of Sri Lanka. Beauty through purity is one of the things that make the Maldives a premium romantic location targeted by honeymooners. However, unlike the typical visitor, why not jump at the occasion to see the country from a completely different perspective

From TIES EcotourismTrend YouTube subscriptions: Our favorite beach & ocean eco-videos! Seacology: Seacology’s Indonesia EcoReef project – Manado Tua Island is a towering extinct volcano fringed with picturesque reef drop-offs and capped with a rainforest at its summit. The island’s 3,200 inhabitants form a very tightly-knit community of farmers and fishermen who cling tenaciously to their Sangir cultural traditions. Large sections of Manado Tua’s coral reef have been reduced to rubble fields due to blast fishing activities that took place over a decade ago…

This summer, ecoDestinations will feature “Beaches, Marine & Coastal Ecotourism Experiences,” highlighting opportunities and challenges facing the world’s oceans and coastal areas and the inspiring travel experiences that they offer. Looking for last-minute tropical summer vacation deals? Passionate about marine animals? Want to share best practice stories on coastal communities and ecotourism? Bookmark ecotourism.org/ecoDestinations and be sure to come back often for regular updates!

The fundamental objective of The Southern Right Whale Project is to guarantee the survival and population recuperation of the Southern Right Whale, an endangered species, in Brazilian Waters. The season for whale watching in the state of Santa Catarina is from July to November, with peak sightings occurring between mid-August and early October. In addition to getting up close and personal with this spectacular species, a journey through Santa Catarina offers great breaks and a shipwreck for surfers, kite and wind surfers, quaint fishing villages, and a true escape.