Category Archives: High Seas

Here are some events happening from Oct. 13 to 19 in the Chicago suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

RED ALERT: Beyonc and Taylor are back

Did you miss the boat on the two biggest concerts of the summer Taylor Swifts Eras tour and Beyonc Renaissance tour? Well, fret no more. Both are coming to a movie theater near you this fall. Taylors tour hits the big screen on Oct. 13. Beyonc's hits movie theaters Nov. 30. Go to fandango.com for local showtimes, ticket prices and locations.

Falling for fall

Cantigny Fall Fest is 4-11 p.m. Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 14 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Tickets are $15 per car. At 1s151 Winfield Road. 630-668-5161; cantigny.org.

The Cantigny Fall Festival expands to a full weekend of activities this year. Look for a biergarten serving Oktoberfest beer and food, a craft fair, live entertainment, hayrides, a petting zoo, pumpkins and kids activities.

Pumpkins galore

Jack OLantern World continues Oct. 13-29 (excluding Oct. 16-18) at The Forge in Lemont. At 227 Heritage Quarries Drive. Tickets are $14.99-$24.99. thejackolanternworld.com.

Walk a half-mile trail filled with thousands of jack-o-lanterns hand carved by more than 50 artists, including giant pumpkins.

Author event

Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Bob Odenkirk, with his daughter Erin Odenkirk, will appear at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 Community Christian Church in Naperville. Tickets are $29. At 1635 Emerson Lane. 630-355-2665; andersonsbookshop.com.

Odenkirk, a Naperville native, and Erin Odenkirk, celebrate the release of their new book of poetry, Zilot and Other Important Rhymes. They will be in conversation, followed by an audience Q&A. After their talk, there will be a signing line and photo opportunity.

High-seas high jinks

Footlight Players presents Four Old Broads of the High Seas at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12-13 and 2 p.m. Oct. 14-15 at Footlight Players in Michigan City, Indiana. Tickets are $12-$17. At 1705 Franklin St. 219-874-4035; footlightplayers.org.

The titular old broads are on a sassy seniors cruise that includes a topless sun deck, a fabulous drag queen, costume contest and a murder mystery.

Orchestral performance

Fire and Ice is presented by the Lake County Symphony Orchestra at 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at The Barn at Hawthorne Woods in Hawthorne Woods. Tickets are $40. At 2 Lagoon Drive. 847-746-3472; lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com.

A chamber performance pairs musicians from the Lake County Symphony Orchestra string quartet with dancers.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

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Things to do Oct. 13-19 in the Chicago suburbs, Northwest Indiana - Chicago Tribune

Humpback whale calf, Tonga, 2015. The bumps on the whale's head reduce drag and have inspired many engineered applications (GRID-Arendal / Glenn Edney / CC BY NC SA 2.0)

Published Oct 9, 2023 2:32 PM by China Dialogue Ocean

[By Emma Bryce]

Deep in the Pacific Ocean, a strange, diaphanous balloon drifts by. Inside, tunnels and chambers coil like a miniature floating Guggenheim around the talented architect within: a tadpole-like creature called a larvacean. Incredibly, the organism has crafted this entire structure out of mucus.

This is an animal without legs, arms, or eyes, and it secretes this complex house of mucus around itself, explains Joost Daniels, a research engineer. Daniels is part of a team at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute that has3Dmodelled these structures, which theyve christened snot palaces. Their modelling work, carried out at the institutes Bioinspiration Lab, revealed how the larvacean uses its tail to pump detritus-filled water through the passageways of the snot palace, using it like a filter to snag food.

The magnificent structure could inspire inventions on land. This could be very interesting for very efficient vehicle propulsion or other pumping systems. There are lots of medical applications as well, says Daniels.

Such innovations belong to the growing collection of biomimetic products which mimic the form, structure, or function of organisms. Taking inspiration from nature isnt new, but marine biomimetics is relatively nascent partly becausejust 5%of the ocean has been explored. And yet, the ocean is where all life started, and where a lot of things have evolved from, says Daniels, which creates huge potential for discovery in its vast depths.

Researchers think that, as discoveries related to marine biomimetics grow, they could contribute billions to the economy annually, with applications across diverse industries including energy, transport, pharmaceuticals, and deep-sea exploration. This could also serve as a more sustainable source of marine revenue than industries likedeep-sea mining, believes Robert Blasiak, a researcher in the sustainable management of ocean resources at the Stockholm Resilience Centre. I think it gives a bit of a different flavour to how we can explore this final frontier, he says.

Wild inventions

It was Blasiaks personal enthusiasm for the subject that drove him to start cataloguing marine biomimetic inventions, which together with his colleagues he described in a 2022research article. The paper explored a glittering array of innovations some under development, and several already on the market.

One of them takes inspiration from the tapering fins of the humpback whale. These leviathans glide effortlessly through the water, despite having knobbly fins that look like they would slow them down. In the early 2000s, engineersdiscoveredthat those bumps, called tubercles, actually generate lift, reducing drag in the water. This has sinceinspiredthe design of bumpy fan blades andsurfboard fins, as well as patents to apply tubercles to wind farms.

Another source of inspiration is shark skin, which bristles with billions of microscopic scales called denticles. Arranged in adiamond patternand imprinted with peaks and troughs, these channel water and allow the animals to glide seamlessly through it. This structure has inspired newcar tyresthat aim to reduce the risk of aquaplaning, and materials foraircraftthat streamline airflow and cut carbon emissions by1.1%. Sharks arent coated in algae and barnacles, Blasiak explains, because their skin is very hard for stuff to settle on, to actually stick to. Materials scientists have replicated this microscopic architecture inantibacterial surfacesfor hospitals, andantifouling materialsto protect ships from organisms that may latch on to their hulls, affecting their speed and seaworthiness.

Meanwhile, animals such as therams horn squidhave inspired better ways to explore the ocean itself. The creature controls itsbuoyancywith the help of an internal coil-shaped shell containing gas-filled compartments. As the squid grows, explains Blasiak, more of these compartments appear. Most famously, these inspired the submersible used by filmmaker James Cameron totravelto the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

In 2021, scientists successfully mimicked the jelly-like structure of the deep sea snailfish to create a remotely operatedsoft robot, made of flexible materials, capable of withstanding the crushing ocean pressure at depths of 11,000 metres.

Many more biomimetic inventions are in the works. Materials scientists are developinghyper-strong materialsfor buildings based on the chitin structure of the mantis shrimps crack-resistant club. Others have found unlikely fashion inspiration in theslime-producing hagfish, whose goo contains thousands of silken but powerful strands that could inspire next-generation textiles. Elsewhere, researchers havepatentedthe unique water-repellingproteinsinbyssus threads the strong filaments that tether mussels to rocks which could lead to corrosion-resistant steel for ships.

Big money in the blue economy

Marine biomimetics could generate significant revenue through novel products, designs, patents, and by reducing maintenance and materials costs in several industries, Blasiak believes. One significant area is shipping, which spends US$30 billiona year dealing with the added fuel and cleaning costs of biofouling by barnacles and other creatures. Biomimetic antifoulants, such as sharkskin-inspired coatings, could offset this expense, while also supplying the marine coatings industry that is worth nearly$15 billion.

According to Blasiaks research, biomimetics could add billions to the tissue-engineering industry, which generated sales of$9 billionin 2017, with corals and sponges becoming increasingly important ingredients. Underwater robotics, meanwhile, is projected to reach almost $7 billion by 2025. And, in 2010, researchersestimatethat cancer drugs derived from yet-to-be-discovered compounds in marine organisms could be worth between $0.5 trillion and $5.7 trillion.

Yet this huge potential is being overlooked, Blasiak believes. All these conceptualisations of the ocean economy, theyre all looking at fisheries, cruise tourism, containerships, mining of aggregates but theyre never looking at biomimetics, he says. In his view, not only can marine biomimetics contribute significantly to economic growth, it also aligns with the emerging blue economy growth thats derived from the sustainable use of the oceans resources.

Sharing the oceans treasures

But there are growing concerns about how to share these benefits fairly. Blasiak has found that 98% of the several thousand patent applications related to marine genetic resources belong to institutions in just10 countries. Typically, ocean discoveries are made by a small number of wealthy nations, often off the shores of less wealthy nations.

The highly productive seas surrounding the Caribbean are one example, says Judith Gobin, a professor of marine biology at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. If you look [at] the literature, you will see [that] quite a few commercial drugs, already on the market, have been found from Caribbean sponges [and] organisms, she says. And a lot of it, we in the Caribbean werent even aware of. She describes some of these scientific expeditions as ships passing in the night, explaining that even though they were legal, they have failed to share their benefits.

The inequality has only grown as wealthier nations have been able to advance into the little-explored deep sea that often falls beyond the jurisdiction of any one nation. But Gobin is hopeful that the recently agreedHigh Seas Treatywill start to even out this playing field. She explains that the historic treaty, formallyadoptedin June this year, includes requirements to share the scientific and financial benefits of any marine genetic resources discovered in the high seas. Gobin participated in the treaty negotiations as an adviser with CARICOM, an intergovernmental organisation that represents the interests of Caribbean countries.

More important than financial benefits is the treatys hard-won obligation for countries to share resources, she says. Ideally, this means that future marine expeditions led by wealthy nations will be treated as an opportunity to bring scientists from developing nations on board, to share training, technologies, and expertise. Lets get the local scientists involved, and then lets build the capacity, Gobin says.

According to Blasiak, its this spirit of shared curiosity and discovery that drives marine biomimetics in the first place, and which he believes could turn it into a force for the good of the ocean. I think that one of the most attractive things about biomimetics is that it first requires you to look at the natural world, to interact with it, be curious about it, and try to understand it better, he says. Thats the starting point for caring about the ocean, and then for thinking we should be stewards of it.

Emma Bryce is a freelance journalist who covers stories focused on the environment, conservation and climate change.

This article appears courtesy of China Dialogue Ocean and may be found in its original form here.

Top image: Humpback whale calf, Tonga, 2015 (GRID-Arendal / Glenn Edney / CC BY NC SA 2.0)ww.grida.no/resources/3544

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.

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Marine "Biomimetics" Could Be the Blue Economy's Next Big Hit - The Maritime Executive

TV WEEK (Wednesday 11th to Tuesday 17th)

Published: Tue 10 Oct 2023, 4:45 PM

This critically acclaimed drama series returns for a fourth season, as the World War II focus shifts to the Mediterranean, where Germanys U-Boats face impossible odds. At home, secrecy and intrigue lurk within their ranks at German Navy Command in Berlin, where a dangerous conspiracy unfolds.

In this first episode of season three an unforeseen UK environmental disaster causes enormous destruction and loss of life, and the crisis spirals to encompass the governments secret connections to the malignant corruption of the arms industry and the rise of shadowy corporate security firms.

Mary Lamb Waugh, daughter of renowned painter Charles Lamb, is 90 and blessed with an unquenchable zest for life. Her story is a kaleidoscope of subjects that bookend the emerging nation: feminism, emigration, art, education, sailing the high seas, and a deep and abiding love of Connemara, an affection she carried all her life.

Lifts the lid to reveal the inner workings of various areas of life in Ireland, the Secrets series takes audiences behind the scenes and into the shoes of some remarkable people. With an access-all-areas approach, these stories take us into the private thoughts of often unsung everyday heroes.

Sun, Sea and Scalpels follows some of the thousands of Irish people opting to travel abroad for cosmetic surgery, and delves behind their stories to outcomes where many Mummy makeover dreams of whiter teeth, tighter tummies and pert posteriors are fulfilled but also including the traumatic downside where botched work causes some tales of terrible trauma.

From Steven Spielberg comes a loosely autobiographical drama based on the directors own childhood, which shaped his life and career. Its a universal coming-of-age story about an isolated young mans pursuit of his dreams and artistic ambition. An all-star cast includes Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Seth Rogen.

This modern take on Cyrano de Bergerac stars Steve Martin as a witty fire chief of a small Pacific Northwest town who, due to his enormous nose, indirectly pursues the girl of his dreams by feeding a colleague the words of love to win her heart. A winning romcom with Daryl Hannah.

Ben Affleck is a mathematics savant who makes his living as a freelance accountant for some of the worlds most dangerous criminal organisations. But with a Treasury agent hot on his trail, the million dollar secret accounts are in jeopardy as the body count starts to rise.

Tom Hanks stars in this winning adaptation of one of Stephen Kings most acclaimed novels. He plays a kindly death row chief warder who has walked the final mile with a variety of convicts on their way to the electric chair. Then he meets John Coffey a man possessing a supernatural gift at odds with his supposed guilt as a murderer.

An all-star Irish cast led by Cillian Murphy, Eva Birthistle, Adam Scott and Laoise Murray is set around two apparently happy Dublin couples and the deadly ripples into everybodys lives that follow an affair. Written and directed by Mark ORowe, the engaging plot explores modern ideas of love, lust, and family relationships,

The hilarious antics of Lulu, Frankie and Bruce as they move from Australia to a B&B in an isolated west of Ireland seaside town called Tubbershandy with their parents who happen to be zombies

Cameras in space tell stories of life on our planet from a new perspective the weird and wonderful patterns covering Earth. The Australian outback is covered in pale spots; a clearing in the Congo rainforest has been created by an elephant gathering; and the twists and turns of the Amazon make a home for rehabilitated manatees.

Mass UFO sightings from the last 50 years are investigated in this docuseries featuring eyewitness accounts, expert interviews and new evidence. Strange lights over a small town in Texas; submersible space crafts haunting a Welsh coast village; an alien encounter with schoolchildren in Zimbabwe; and non-human intelligence reportedly interfering with a nuclear power plant in Japan.

A musical comedy-drama film written and directed by John Carney, Flora And Son features original songs by the late, great Gary Clark. Starring Eve Hewson, Jack Reynor and Orn Kinlan, the plot centres on a Dublin single mother trying to keep her rebellious son out of jail by finding an old guitar in a skip discovering one persons rubbish can be another persons salvation.

Delta Goodrem is a fiercely independent private plane pilot fighting to keep her family business afloat who starts to fall for the man sent by a large corporate rival to ground her operation forever. A watchable romcom whose main appeals are the spectacular locations filmed in Australias Whitsunday islands.

Brie Larson takes a break from the Marvel franchise to play a disrespected scientist in the early 60s who becomes a TV chef. Despite her skill as a chemist, the male dominated field leads to her sacking. Nurturing a desire for revenge, she becomes a TV cook using her experience to teach housewives more than the kitchen allows.

Here we are, at that fateful place where Ireland have sadly met the end of the dream down the decades of the Rugby World Cup theyve beaten them before, and whod bet against them repeating the feat?

Published: Tue 10 Oct 2023, 4:45 PM

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All eyes on France this Saturday evening - Offaly Independent

This 80s-themed cruise by P&O lets passengers line up in colorful 80s attire, complete with neon colors, side ponytails, and parachute tracksuits, ready to relive the vibrant era. Photo / Supplied

Frankie says relax... onboard an 80s-themed high-sea adventure with P&O Cruises. Melinda Healy dons her legwarmers and gives it a whirl.

Rocking up anywhere in daylight hours decked out in 80s gear can be a daunting proposition, perhaps even more so in 2023 when neon is so not a thing.

Uber drivers across Brisbane are no doubt provided with their entertainment for the day, and as the cohort of lairy 80-inspired passengers come into sight the fear of embarrassment swiftly turns to excitement.

Its a blue-sky Saturday thats ideal for cruising and the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal is a sea of parachute tracksuits, side ponytails, body suits, legwarmers, and neon as far as the eye can see; passengers lined up for their right to paaartay. See what I did there?

Laughter fills the air from he lively crowd, some of whom have taken adopting the 80s as far as dressing up as Fleetwood Macs frontwoman Stevie Nicks. Others are repping Aerobics Oz Style as they prepare to board the 281-metre, 998-cabin cruiser theyll be calling home for the next three nights.

Recognising friends who have arrived separately proves the ultimate challenge, especially given the number of fluorescent wigs, big sunglasses, tie dyed shirts and leather pants going around not the usual everyday garb these days.

Themed cruises are having a moment, with travellers opting for easy, relaxing holidays offering that added entertainment factor, whether it be a decade like the 80s or 90s, tributes to personalities like Elvis, or comedy cruises, there appears to be fun for everyone.

P&O is one of a number of companies that service the Queensland hub, and its obvious that P&Os Pacific Explorer is a well-equipped to handle the fun and frivolity of the 1998 passengers now onboard.

Formerly the Dawn Princess, this vessel was built in 1997 and last refurbished in 2017. It has six pools, a casino and is bursting with restaurants, bars and public spaces ideal for 80s tragics to let their hair down and celebrate.

Simone Baker has chosen this liner for her 50th birthday celebrations, and with 18 friends and family in tow, the Mackay local who flew down from North Queensland is prepped and ready to let loose with dancing, laughing, and tunes from Cyndi Lauper, Salt n Pepa and Men At Work firmly in her sights.

For us its about leaving the daily stresses at the dock, throwing our hands in the air and singing our hearts out, the marine teacher and avid cruiser tells me.

The 80s were some of the best times of my life, it was a time when our family was living under the same roof, I was at school, such good times. It feels like I am back there, its such a great feeling!

From the time we arrived at the terminal cars were beeping with people yelling out love your outfit.

A group ranging in age between 34 and 75, Simone and her crew are in their element, throwing themselves into it, no energy spared.

A big chunk of the appeal of P&Os 80s cruises is the non-stop fun factor. Passengers can do as much or as little as they like, the most dedicated of them lining up for not only the Neon Sailaway and 80s Icons nights but also the Totally Awesome Costume Party, which is just as crazy and outrageous as it sounds.

If thats not enough, there are feature performances to sing and dance to with headlining acts Tina Unleashed, The Badloves, Popsicle and the Forever 80s Band keeping the crowds entertained.

Like many of the groups on board, whether they be families or retirees, Simones gang didnt shy away from the karaoke sessions or aerobics classes, some even lining up to learn the Thriller dance, while others preferred to test their trivia skills.

After 76+ hours of high 80s spirits on the high seas, even if it was just to Yeppoon and back with not much to see on the horizon apart from clear skies, ocean for miles and a few dolphins for good measure, the verdict is, in Simones book at least, that Girls Just Want to Have Fun and that happens Time After Time on P&Os themed cruises.

A Little Less Conversation and definitely no Suspicious Minds! Prepare to get All Shook Up on this three-night cruise from Sydney. With themed parties, karaoke, trivia, a movie and a concert marathon on the menu, youll be saying Thank You Very Much the whole time. From $539 per person twin share.

For those who take their laughter seriously. Passengers are offered front row seats to shows by the best and brightest comedic talent from Australia and beyond. Departures from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland and Adelaide. From $674 per person twin share.

P&Os new country music-themed cruises offer an incredible range of toe-tappin acts, events, and experiences sure to delight country music fans of all ages and backgrounds. Pack your cowboy hat and boots and brush up on your yee-haws. Departs from Auckland. From $453 per person twin share.

For more go to pocruises.com.au

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80s-themed cruise: A blast to the past with P&O's high-sea adventure - New Zealand Herald

Looking up at the distinctive black and red funnel of Cunards Queen Elizabeth, which has navigated Alaskas Inside Passage and the sapphire Mediterranean, as well as Australias own dramatic coastline in 2023,its hard not to experience a sense of awe.

That feeling is one thatll soon be increasingly common down under again, as the luxurious vessel bases herself out of Sydney and Melbourne for her annual summer residency between November 2023 and March 2024.

Queen Elizabeth returns to Australia for her annual summer residency in November. Cunard

Christened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, the 294-metre-long ship is a part of a proud sailing legacy spanning over 180 years, back to the days when founder Samuel Cunard operated his first transatlantic mail service between Liverpool and Boston via Halifax.

Red and black funnels are a staple across all Cunard Queens. Cunard

A common thread since that time is the black and red funnel adorning every ship, from those early wooden steamers originally crossing the frigid North Atlantic to the three Queens of glass and steel currently in service: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and, of course, Queen Elizabeth.

Though each ship offers a distinct experience and its own highlights Queen Elizabeth has a two-storey library beneath a beautiful glass ceiling, for example all three share the same sense of timeless glamour and design, with contemporary touches.

The two-storey library on board Queen Elizabeth. Cunard

Soon, theyll be joined by a fourth monarch, when the hugely-anticipatedQueen Anne hailed as Cunards most luxurious ship yet enters service in May 2024.

Queen Anne will welcome up to 3,000 guests when she sets sail in May 2024. Cunard

By all accounts, Queen Anne is set to take Cunard in a bold and exciting direction, one where the golden age of cruising has been reinvented (some may say perfected) for the modern era.

But what sets Cunards grand dames of the sea apart from rivals? How do the ships differ from one another and what kind of experience awaits curious travellers embarking on a high seas adventure?

Four words sum up the Cunard experience perfectly: the height of luxury. Its about opulence and refinement from bow to aft, while still remaining accessible and affordable with destinations and itineraries for diverse tastes and budgets.

Queen Victorias Grand Lobby is a picture of elegance from top to bottom. Cunard

Naturally, given the ships royal connections, regal splendour runs deep. Picture soaring lobbies and chandeliers dripping in crystal, complimentary daily Afternoon Tea served on delicate plates, not to mention genuinely stunning staterooms and suites.

Varying in size across the fleet, Cunards Queens Grill Suites are the pinnacle of accommodation options. Each comes with a bottle of Champagne on arrival, pre-dinner canaps and attentive butler service, plus entry to an exclusive Queens Grill restaurant and Grills Terrace enhanced by Cunards signature White Star Service (more on this soon).

This Grand Suite is just one of the lavish accommodation options on board Queen Anne. Cunard

Its not purely about heritage charm though, there are plenty of 21st century refinements on every Cunard ship, including that all-important WiFi to share your discoveries on the go (though its a welcome opportunity for a digital detox!).

With more spaciousness and impeccable service, Cunards Queens are designed for those seeking only the very best with plenty to see, do and discover too.

Memorable service is an essential ingredient of every Cunard voyage, whether dining in the Britannia Restaurant, having a pint at the Golden Lion pub or treating your mind and body at Mareel Wellness & Beauty. Simply chatting with the crew leaves an impression.

Cunard dubs this White Star Service, and its about thoughtful and refined service, making you feel entirely looked after and completely at ease. Youll encounter it the moment you cross the gangway, when white-gloved officers and crew welcome and invite you to explore your new floating abode.

Every crew member is trained at Cunards own White Star Academy, ensuring consistency across the fleet, so you know exactly what to expect no matter which ship you sail on.

White Star Service puts you at ease the moment you cross the gangway. Cunard

Queens Grill Suites, like this on Queen Victoria, are the pinnacle accommodation on every ship. Cunard

That opulence continues in the exclusive Queens Grill Restaurant on board Queen Anne. Cunard

The globe-spanning ports visited are incredibly diverse as well. From local voyages in Australia to the iconic Transatlantic Crossings, to a life-changing World Voyage, theres something for both new and long-time cruisers, with itineraries from three days to three months.

Heres a teaser of what else awaits on board each Cunard ship:

Queen Elizabeth (not to be mistaken for her predecessor the QE2) is the jewel in the Australian summer cruise season. Her interiors take design cues from the symmetry and style of the Art Deco era, with all the contemporary features guests seek.

Queen Elizabeth has travelled the globe, from wild Alaska to the balmy Mediterranean and beyond. Cunard

A soaring triple-storey Grand Lobby sets the tone for the splendour flowing throughout, and the glamour and indulgence only ramp up across each of the ships 12 passenger decks.

Queen Elizabeths triple-height lobby harks back to the golden age of cruising. Cunard

Britannia Restaurant and Steakhouse at The Verandah are two of the 10 dining venues ready to satisfy guests taste buds, whether in the mood for fine dining or casual al fresco bites. And with complimentary Afternoon Tea served daily in the Queens Room why not?

Complimentary daily Afternoon Tea is an experience worth relishing. Cunard

Settle into a good book from the two-storey library set under a beautiful glass ceiling; see a show at the 800-seat Royal Court Theatre, an impressive venue spanning three decks of the ship; or embrace the transformational power of the ocean at Mareel Wellness & Beauty equipped with a sauna with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the sea.

As the only true ocean liner in the world regularly crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Queen Mary 2 is much more than your average ship. Shes also Cunards flagship and has some rather special features on board.

The glittering New York skyline is a popular sight on Queen Mary 2s Transatlantic Crossings. Cunard

For starters, there are 24 kennels allowing dogs and cats to cross the Atlantic Ocean in style (on Transatlantic Crossings only). This unique space even features a dedicated owners lounge, not to mention ample room for pets to stretch their sea legs.

Four-legged friends also get to travel in style on board Transatlantic Crossings. Cunard

In addition to the largest library at sea, with some 8,000 hardbacks and no less than 500 paperbacks within its storied walls, Queen Mary 2 also boasts a 3D cinema and planetarium known as Illuminations. Here you can lose yourself among the stars and rousing classical soundtracks, or enjoy some inspiring films, stunning concerts and recitals.

Illuminations takes guests on an immersive journey through the stars and closer to home. Cunard

Londons West End is known for its spectacular shows and grandiose theatres. That same spirit is alive on Queen Victoria, which was the first Cunard ship to debut West End-style theatre boxes within its Royal Court Theatre. Naturally, the views are rather impressive.

Queen Victoria was the first Cunard ship to debut West End-style theatre boxes. Cunard

A love and passion for the arts is a theme echoing right throughout the ship, where some 500 displayed art pieces make walking down the hall akin to exploring an art gallery.

Outside, guests can breathe in an ever-changing view from the decks, get active or slow things down in one of two pools, or embrace cruising classics such as croquet, lawn bowls and shuffleboard.

Croquet, lawn bowls and shuffleboard are essential cruise classics. Cunard

The debut of a ship is always worthy of celebration. For Cunard, the arrival of Queen Anne is bigger news still, not only as the first new vessel since 2010 but the 249th ship to enter the fleet. Thats a staggering figure, one leaving many cruise lines in its wake.

Queen Anne sets a new course for the cruise line, elevating its trademark experience to even greater heights. Cunard

As you can imagine, a new ship is also a perfect opportunity to elevate the experience, giving long-time cruisers and those dipping their toes into the world ample reasons to step on board.

With this in mind, Queen Anne will host the largest array of dining options on any Cunard ship, including debuts of Japanese restaurant Aji Wa, and the high-end steakhouse Sir Samuels, which is primed to showcase the very best of British and Australian beef and seafood.

The iconic Queens Grill restaurant is also taking things up a notch, with an exclusive menu curated in partnership with two Michelin-star chef Michel Roux, in addition to a refined stable of British pub classics for the Golden Lion.

There will also be a Wellness Studio where you can salute the sun as it slips behind the horizon, the Panorama Pool Club to soak up some rays as you sail from port to port, and an exhilarating new bar and entertainment space known as Bright Lights Society.

Open from sunrise to sunset, the Wellness Studio will host regular fitness sessions, including yoga. Cunard

Queen Annes Panorama Pool Club is destined to be a popular hangout. Cunard

Bright Lights Society will be a whirlwind of entertainment, with unexpected performers and dazzling musicians. Cunard

Australians will get a chance to experience Queen Anne when she makes her way down under in early 2025. Until then, Queen Elizabeth is the finest way to embrace the Cunard way of life close to home with residency every Australian summer, or, if you fancy sailing further afield, youll want to check out Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2.

For those looking for truly unique experiences, Cunard runs local event voyages like the Sporting Greats & Wellness Voyage, Great Australian Culinary Voyage and Australian Literature Festival at Sea.

A Cunard cruise is a fantastic way to see the world, allowing you to wake up in diverse ports and enjoy the beauty of the ocean in style. Cunard

All you need to do is find a cruise that speaks to you and book. The rest from the food and wine to show-stopping live entertainment is all curated by the expert Cunard team.

To explore the world with Cunard, visit cunard.com

This article was produced in collaboration with Cunard.

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High seas glamour: what its like to cruise the world with Cunard - Executive Traveller

Massive multiplayer warfighting game Foxhole is expanding big time, taking its huge wars to the high seas for the first time by adding major naval vessels like submarines, battleships, destroyers, and more that will take dozens of players to crew and operate across duty stations like command, piloting, engineering, guns, sonar, depth charges, and sea mines. It'll also bring a huge overhaul to the mechanics of naval invasions, introducing sea-based headquarters vessels where players can spawn. Foxhole's Naval Warfare update will launch on October 26, 2023.

Foxhole is a huge game where thousands of players produce each bullet and shell, drive it to the front lines, and fire it at the enemy. In development since 2017, the first small boats and amphibious craft were introduced years ago but operations had been mostly restricted to coastal areas and near-shore islandswith the near-shore islands generally left off the map for recent wars.

This new expansion will expand the war map to include fully water-based regions once again, with players now able to use not just landing ships and undertake sea-based logistics, but construct portable harbors to support successful invasions. The new regions will have not just large strategic islands, but offshore oil platforms to fight over. The new Base Ships will be designed to spawn players at sea before ferrying them onto landing craft so they can relive the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan.

The Naval Warfare update will include a few other big thingsincluding some that developers Siege Camp had said probably weren't ever coming to Foxhole. Most notably is towing for infantry-pushed field weapons and equipment. Trucks, Half-Tracks, and other vehicles like them will now be able to attach and tow all those field guns. There'll also be attachable trailers for logistics players hauling expanded amounts of cargo to the front.

Rounding out the update are a few things that would be notable for Foxhole players in their own right: Large deployable field artillery guns, new massive Heavy Duty trucks to haul them, heavy self-propelled artillery platforms, and player-built launch sites for screen-obliterating ballistic rockets.

If this is the first you're hearing of Foxhole, it's a pretty unique game where thousands of players strategize, supply, and fight in their own wars as either the Warden or Colonial factions. It's roughly based on a time in a fictional world at the technology level of the after World War 1 interwar period, with in-game tech advancing as each war goes on to something like the end of, or just after, World War 2.

You can find Foxhole on Steam, where it's $30 US, or on its website foxholegame.com. Foxhole hit its proper 1.0 release last year, and developer Siege Camp has announced their next game will be a massive medieval warfare MMO, but that clearly hasn't slowed down the pace or scope of updates and new features on Foxhole.

Excerpt from:

Warfare MMO Foxhole is adding naval combat complete with huge ... - PC Gamer

A second season for Netflix's live-action One Piece series was officially announced, building upon the stellar Season 1 cast with a whole new batch of characters.

Led by Iaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, the live-action One Piece cast faithfully brought to life the beloved world of Eiichiro Oda's pirating anime, racking up stellar viewership numbers and rave reviews.

This led the streamer to green light Season 2, as the One Piece creative team ventures further into this swashbuckling adventure. According to series cinematographer Nicole Hirsch Whitaker, they have "definitely started writing" Season 2.

So with the ball rolling toward the sophomore season, here is every character expected to return.

Iaki Godoy's Monkey D. Luffy is the lovable captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. He wants nothing more than to find the elusive One Piece and become the king of the pirates. Luffy is also known for his rubber man powers, with the ability to warp and stretch his body at will.

Season 1 saw Luffy assemble the first iteration of his Straw Hat crew, procure a ship, and take down the villainous Arlong. The second season will likely see the character back in the spotlight, as his team of pirates ventures toward the Grand Line in search of Gold Roger's famous treasure.

Nami (played by Emily Rudd) is the Going Merry's navigator, having joined the Straw Hats despite efforts to betray them in Season 1. She came across Luffy early in the first batch of episodes as she attempted to steal a map to the Grand Line that Godoy's Straw Hat captain was also on the hunt for.

After teases of searching for a doctor to join the Straw Hats in the first season, the second will likely cover the events of the Little Island and Drum Mountain Arcs where Nami falls ill, making the team's probe for a medical professional even more urgent as they try to save their navigator.

Jacob Gibson's Usopp is expected to return for One Piece Season 2. Usopp is the cowardly tall-tale-telling sniper of the Straw Hat crew, joining the band of pirates after they helped him save his home of Syrup Island and come into possession of their iconic ship, the Going Merry.

Following the events of Arlong Park, Usopp and the rest of the Straw Hats become even closer, something that will almost certainly affect the Straw Hat sniper. Given the live-action series made some significant cuts surrounding Usopp in Season 1, hopefully, the character gets his moment to shine in the next batch of episodes.

The most recent member to join the Straw Hat crew was Taz Skylar's Sanji. Sanji is a cooler-than-cool chef who heads off on a life of adventure on the Going Merry after getting a blessing from his mentor/guardian Zeff. Sanji now finds himself cooking for the crew as their full-time cook.

Sanji only just joined the Straw Hat Pirates toward the end of Season 1, helping the team take down Arlong and his Fish-men. In Season 2, fans can get a deeper dive into how Sanji does business, including his penchant for clandestine battle tactics.

Roronoa Zoro (more commonly referred to as simply Zoro) is a sure thing for One Piece Season 2, with Mackenyu likely back in the role. Zoro is the master swordsman of the Straw Hats who is on a quest to become the greatest sword-wielder to ever live.

Given the likelihood that Season 2 will tackle the first few arcs of the Arabasta Saga, the series will dive further into Zoro's backstory and his history with the dastardly Baroque Works.

After playing one of the primary villains and chasing around the Straw Hats throughout One Piece Season 1, Vincent Regan's Garp showed some compassion toward the merry band of pirates in the first season's finale. It was then revealed that the much-feared Marine vice admiral was, in fact, the grandfather of series protagonist Luffy.

This cliffhanger left audiences wondering whether Garp was going to continue his pursuit of the Straw Hat Pirates or not. Surely, this was a short-lived bout of empathy for the high-ranking Marine, and he will be hot on their tail yet again in Season 2.

Koby (played by Morgan Davies) is an enterprising young Marine cadet and reformed member of Alvida's pirate crew. During Season 1, Koby earned the trust of Vice Admiral Garp, helping the Marine in his quest to take down the biggest pirates in the East Blue.

The pink-haired recruit will only become more ingrained in the Marine way of life in Season 2, potentially even coming to blows with his former friend Luffy, who was responsible for his joining the Marine force in the first place.

Another one of the big bads of Season 1, Jeff Ward's Buggy the Clown is not done in this high-seas adventure. This colorful pirate captain captured Luffy during the events of Season 1, with the Straw Hats doing battle with this super-powered sailor.

While the Straw Hats ended up using Buggy's head (thanks to his disassembling abilities) to help them find Arlong in the first season, the clown pirate will almost surely flip back to being an adversary in Season 2. If the next batch of episodes tackles the events of the Loguetown Arc, then it will see Buggy team up with the villainous Alvida to take on the Going Merry crew.

Helmeppo (played by Aidan Scott) is the cowardly son of Marine Captain "Axe Hand" Morgan and a new recruit to the Marines alongside Kody. The character first saw Koby as a rival amongst the Marine ranks but came to appreciate his prowess in hunting down pirates.

It remains unknown just how involved Helmeppo, Garp, and Koby will be in Season 2 as the series' central trio of marines does not play a super big part in some of the upcoming storylines. However, seeing how much focus they got in Season 1, perhaps some changes will be made to include them.

Alvida (brought to life by Ilia Isorels Paulino) is the captain of the Alvida Pirates and the first antagonist Luffy comes across in the events of the series. After stowing away on her ship, Luffy befriends Koby, does battle with Alvida, and escapes all before the end of the first episode.

While Alvida was not heard from much after Luffy and Koby made their daring escape in Season 1, she will seemingly be a big part of Season 2, starting an alliance with Buggy the Clown known as the Buggy and Alvida Alliance.

Tony Tony Chopper (aka Chopper) is the next member of the Straw Hat Pirates who will seemingly come into the picture.

The anthropomorphic reindeer was teased in the Season 2 announcement video and even hinted at in the first season as the Straw Hats start their search for an on-deck doctor.

It looks as though Captain Smoker will be the primary antagonist of One Piece Season 2. The character was featured sporting his signature cigars and burning one of Luffy's wanted posters in the post-credits scene of Season 1.

Smoker is a Marine Vice Admiral who has appeared as a recurring adversary of Luffy and the Straw Hat crew throughout One Piece's prolific anime and manga, first appearing as a Marine Captain in the Loguetown Arc.

If Tony Tony Chopper is going to appear in Season 2 of the Netflix series, then so will Dr. Kureha. Kureha is the adoptive mother of Chopper and a renowned doctor calling Drum Island home.

While she is known by some as a witch, she has mentored Chopper as he aspires to be the best doctor the world has seen and cure every disease on the high seas.

Nefertari Vivi is a princess of the Arabasta Kingdom who debuts as an antagonistic Baroque Works bounty hunter known as Miss Wednesday during the Reverse Mountain Arc.

She eventually joins the Straw Hat crew for most of the Arabasta Saga after it turns out she was spying on Baroque Works as Miss Wednesday.

King Wapol is one of the primary antagonists of the Drum Island Arc, coming to blows with the Straw Hats as the Going Merry arrives on the Island Wapol once ruled as king.

Wapol is another pirate who possesses the powers of the Devil Fruit, who is the former monarch of Drum Island. However, he is forced to flee his throne after the Black Bear Pirates take over his home. The Drum Island Arc sees Wapol coming back to his kingdom after months since he and his citizens escaped to safety.

Portgas D. Ace is someone who plays a small part in what will likely be covered in the next season of One Piece but becomes a critical figure going forward.

Born the son of the famed Gold Roger, Portgas D. Ace allies himself with the Straw Hats during the Drum Island Arc after working on the crew of Captain Blackbeard. Following Blackbeard killing one of his own crew, Portgas vows to see the tyrannical pirate brought to justice.

Given the importance the mysterious Baroque Works organization is going to have in Season 2, it would make sense for the hulking Crocodile to be introduced.

Crocodile is the primary antagonist of the Arabasta Saga and one of Luffy's longest-running adversaries in the anime. He is first introduced as the president of Baroque Works and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea in the Little Garden Arc.

Another addition to the Straw Hat crew who will likely be introduced sometime in Season 2 is Nico Robin.

The Straw Hat archeologist is first seen by audiences during the Arbasta Arc as the vice-president of Baroque Works working under the villainous Crocodile.

Dorry is a giant from Elbaf who is one of the two captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates alongside Broggy.

Dorry and Broggy ally themselves with the Straw Hat Pirates during the Little Garden Arc as they take on officers of Baroque Works.

Broggy (like Dorry) is a giant co-captain of the Giant Warrior Pirates who has been at odds with Dorry for centuries on the prehistoric island of Little Garden.

Broggy teams up with Dorry and the Going Merry crew to take on Baroque Works during the Little Garden Arc.

Loan Shark Galdino (aka Mr. 3) is a bounty hunter for the mysterious Baroque Works organization.

Mr. 3 becomes a big part of the story during the Little Garden Arc, serving as the primary antagonist of that particular section of the story.

Bentham, who goes by the code name Mr. 2, is another agent of Baroque Works, playing as one of the big bads of the Arabasta Arc.

Bentham goes on to eventually flip sides, though, becoming an ally of Luffy's by the time the arc ends.

Captain Tashigi is a Marine officer who works under the dastardly Captain Smoker. While Smoker is hell-bent on taking down the Straw Hat pirates, Tashigi is less enthused by that conquest, helping Luffy and his crew at points.

Tashigi has become the subject of much speculation among fans, with many thinking the Marine officer is actually an aged-up Kuina (the deceased childhood friend and rival of Roronoa Zoro).

King Nefertari Cobra is the monarch of the Arabasta Kingdom and the father of Nefertari Vivi.

After allowing the evil Crocodile into his confines, he quickly loses control of his kingdom, with Luffy and the Straw Hats coming in to save the day and taking down the evil pirate captain.

Monkey D. Dragon is a pirate who has been labeled by the World Government as the "World's Worst Criminal" and is first introduced in the Loguetown Arc.

After Luffy is captured by Smoker following their first confrontation, Dragon is key in helping the Straw Hat Captain escape the cigar-chomping Marine's clutches.

One Piece Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.

Link:

One Piece Season 2 Cast: Every Character Expected to Appear - The Direct

Football, to the Portuguese, is not just a game. Its a pulsating beat of a nations heart, an ever-evolving symphony of talent, passion, and innovation. And while the pride and spirit of this small yet mighty nation remain unwavering, Portuguese football is on the cusp of a new era, and what an era it promises to be!

In recent years, weve witnessed the birth of a new generation of Portuguese prodigies, as clubs academies have been churning out young talents ready to take on the world. With figures like Joo Flix, Rafael Leo, and Nuno Mendes making headlines, its clear that Portugals future in football is on safe ground.

But it isnt just about individual talents. The Portuguese national team has showcased resilience, technique, and ambition that places them firmly among the worlds best. With their Euro 2016 victory and the subsequent UEFA Nations League triumph in 2019, Portugal is not just seen as a footballing nation that once revolved around the genius of Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, its a collective unit driven by young blood with a voracious hunger for silverware.

On the club front, Portugal has always been seen as a hub for nurturing young talent. The Primeira Liga, often considered the unsung hero of European leagues, offers a blend of experienced stalwarts and budding prodigies. With FC Porto, SL Benfica, and Sporting CP leading the charge in European competitions, its evident that the Portuguese club scene is no longer content with just being part of the narrative; they aim to make a big impression on it.

The recent investments, revamped infrastructure, and a more global approach to talent scouting signify that Portuguese clubs are ready for the limelight. More partnerships with big sponsors, deeper penetration into untapped markets, and a burgeoning fanbase reflect the renaissance of Portuguese club football.

Now, lets take a slight detour from the green pastures of football to the glitzy, pixelated world of online gaming. Portugals trust in online casinos has been nothing short of remarkable. Once a grey area, the legal and regulated online gaming sector has witnessed a surge in popularity. Likewise, across the ocean, casino Brasil as a search query and entertainment destination has been gaining momentum.

Why talk about online casinos in a football piece, you ask? The connection is deeper than one might think.

Football and betting have a long-standing relationship. With the emergence of online casinos, the nexus has only grown stronger. Many Portuguese football clubs have embraced these platforms as sponsors, benefitting from significant financial influxes, leading to better facilities and more competitive squads.

Moreover, its not just about placing bets on match outcomes anymore. The advent of virtual football games and e-sports competitions means fans can immerse themselves in an alternative reality of football, managing their favourite teams or even creating their own dream teams.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Both the gaming sector and football stakeholders in Portugal have emphasized responsible gambling. Clubs, in partnership with online platforms, have launched campaigns to ensure the experience remains fun and doesnt morph into an addiction.

Another interesting facet of the online surge is how technology is reshaping entertainment, including the football experience. From Virtual Reality (VR) experiences that take fans into the stadium from the comfort of their homes to Augmented Reality (AR) applications that provide real-time stats during live matches, the line between the digital and real is blurring rapidly.

Could you imagine a scenario where fans, through VR, walk alongside their favourite players in the tunnel before a big match? Or engage in tactical discussions in a virtual fan forum? The possibilities are endless, and we are just scratching the surface.

In many ways, Portuguese football is at a crossroads. On one hand, theres an undeniable resurgence on the field, with a fresh wave of talent and a renewed club vigour. On the other, theres the vast, untapped potential of online engagements with the best bookmakers, where the pixelated world offers avenues to amplify the beautiful game.

But amid all these changes, one thing remains constant: the passion of the Portuguese fans. Whether its cheering from the stands of Estdio do Drago or from a VR headset in a living room in Lisbon, the heartbeat of Portuguese football remains robust.

As we stride into this exciting future, its evident that Portugal, a nation once known for its Age of Discoveries, is on the brink of a new era of exploration. Only this time, the quest is not on the high seas but on the football pitches and the limitless realm of the digital world. And oh boy, what a journey it promises to be!

by Carolina Rocha Barros

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The future of Portuguese football: the pitch, the pixels, and the promise - PortuGOAL.net

High winds and rough seas are forecast for the northern area of the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) as Typhoon Koinu is expected to hit the area late Wednesday.

As of 1am Wednesday, the eye of the storm was at about 330km to the east-southeast of Taiwan (China), according to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

The strongest winds recorded were at level 14 (150-166km/h). The typhoon is heading northwest at about 10km/h.

It is expected to weaken as it enters the waters 270km to the south-southeast of Fujian Province (China) and then the East Sea on Friday.

The areas from Qung Tr to Bnh Thun provinces, the Central Highlands and the southern region will see moderate to heavy showers in the evening with rainfall of between 10-30mm, and over 50mm in several locations.

There are also chances of whirlwinds, lightning and high winds during the downpours. The warning for natural disaster risks remains at level 1, the lowest, said the NCHMF.

The NCHMF warns that heavy rain can also cause inundation in low-lying areas and risks of landslides and flash floods in the mountainous region. VNS

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Typhoon Koinu to cause high winds, rough waters in East Sea - VietNamNet

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Given the resource scramble for our oceans and the use of increasingly sophisticated technology for exploration, mining and fishing on an industrial scale, we urgently need transformative ocean governance because business-as-usual is destroying our oceans. The first step is to establish a set of principles towards achieving this transformation.

Since January 2020, a group of 21 senior researchers from around the world and across ecological, social, economic, industry and legal disciplines, have developed a set of 13 principles for transformative ocean governance and action. They focus on the reform required for ocean-use practices and address a combination of the UNs sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Led by Nelson Mandela Universitys Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, the Principles for transformative ocean governance, was published on 7 September in Nature Sustainability. The authors have a total of 440 years of experience gained from working in and influencing the ocean governance realm in over 30 countries.

While there are a lot of rules about sustainable governance on land, there are fewer for oceans, especially areas beyond national jurisdiction. Oceans are difficult to govern because they are dynamic and without borders, hence they require international cooperation and collaboration.

To date, governments, industry and organisations have failed to offer equal access for all humans to the ocean environment and have failed to halt the decline in ocean health and ecosystem service delivery. Ecosystem services, such as oxygen production, sustain life on Earth and half of the Earths oxygen is generated by tiny plants in the ocean called phytoplankton.

In South Africa, we have rules for catching certain species, and organisations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sets rules for the hake fishery and compliance is required in order to sell to Europe. But this is just one species and many species lack rules. Many other species are also caught as by-catch.

The large fishing companies and the oil and gas industries have the technology to provide researchers with data such as camera footage from the oceans so that we can work together to achieve a sustainable marine environment, but so far there isnt much willingness to do this.

Researchers rely on grants and donor funding and there arent sufficient funds to pursue the work we would like to do to better understand the ocean. Even our exclusive economic zones are not well understood and the high seas beyond are even more unknown; its the wild west out there with few rules.

To address these issues, we invited a group of researchers from around the world to a conference hosted by Nelson Mandela University in January 2020. The goal was to engage with the latest developments impacting ocean governance from a developmental, ecosystem-based and human-rights-based approach.

At the conference it was agreed to develop a set of ocean governance principles that work to establish a balance between the economic, conservation, social and cultural requirements of the wide range of role-players in the ocean environment. Our aim is to offer guidelines for countries and hopefully help to inform policy and enforceable regulations.

Its taken three-and-a-half years to develop the 13 principles because we are a very diverse, transdisciplinary group, representing a wide range of needs, including legal frameworks, international and domestic politics of ocean governance, developmental approaches including inclusive and equitable development, the blue economy and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and ecosystem-based and human rights-based approaches, including marine planning, ocean health, social justice and the role of civil society in governance.

The 13 principles, which are elaborated on in the article, span the following areas:

Its not easy to govern the ocean and apportion fair access to all the competing groups. And at the same time to respect non-measurable cultural needs, such as indigenous communities whose ancestors live in the ocean and who call for it to be respected and conserved because this is their spiritual home. Exemplary work has been done in Canada to include Indigenous ocean knowledge and the needs of the First Nations.

To illustrate the transformative principles of ocean governance in action we drew on our work done to date in Algoa Bay. Since 2017 a group of us have been working on Algoa Bays Marine Spatial Plan (MSP), which is the first in South Africa, and will be released early in 2024. The plan has been developed by the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research and the SARChI Chair in Marine Spatial planning at Nelson Mandela University, as well as the Chair of Marine Natural Products at Rhodes University, with a number of collaborators, and with funding from the South African National Research Foundation/ Department of Science and Innovation.

In 2019, the Algoa Bay project joined the One Ocean Hub (OOH), an international programme of fair research partnerships for sustainable development among the Global North-South, funded by UK Official Development Assistance. The aim is a healthy ocean for all.

Together, the Algoa Bay and OOH projects have brought together researchers from the biophysical sciences (including deep-sea and fisheries science), the social sciences (including anthropology and the arts), and ecological and resource economics and law (national and international law on environment, human rights and the sea), with the joint aim of helping to inform stakeholders and governments on what transformative ocean governance entails and what can be achieved through it.

It requires considerable consultation, including talking to industry, government, lawyers, biologists, small-scale fishers, ocean-dwelling communities and holders of Indigenous knowledge. It also requires investigating the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process used by industries such as oil and gas and marine minerals.

The EIA process that gets approved is often wholly insufficient. Exploration goes ahead in most cases, with some exceptions where multinationals are taken to court such as the contesting of seismic blasting along the Wild Coast in the search for oil and gas.

Industry has the power and money, and characteristically uses economics and job creation in their bid for a large slice of the ocean. Its very difficult pushing back against big industry and governments or any sector that gains the most benefit from the ocean but we have to reach a point of collaboration. We are hoping the ocean governance policies and MSPs will assist in putting pressure on industry and governments to work with other sectors and collaboratively come up with win-win solutions for ocean sustainability.

Many developing nations are working on their MSPs now and they regularly contact us for help. One of our teams is working with Madagascar; we work a lot with Western Indian Ocean countries from South Africa all the way up the east coast of Africa.

We are well into the UN Ocean Decade and the 2030 drive to protect the oceans, which cannot be a box-ticking exercise. We have to move beyond the blue team wanting to conserve the oceans and industry hitting back that they dont like what we are presenting. Its a constant fight instead of working as one team. The ocean environment is screaming for collaboration and hopefully this can be achieved.

Professor Amanda Lombard holds the SARChI Chair in Marine Spatial Planning at Nelson Mandela University and is lead author of a seminal article Principles for transformative ocean governance, published on 7 September in the leading international journal, Nature Sustainability.

More here:

Governing our seas using core principles of sustainability - Mail and Guardian