Editorial #02

A few years ago, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to sail along the eastern coastline of the Arabian Peninsula with a team of passionate explorers from the United Arab Emirates. We travelled along the coast of the Sultanate of Oman to the formidable island of Socotra. This odyssey was an exploration of cultures and places, but more importantly it represented an inner journey. The warmth and generous hospitality of the people was unsurpassed. We were the first to explore many of the dive sites, which is a rare experience in our world today. This second issue of the Save Our Seas magazine celebrates Arabia’s seas, places still full of beauty and diversity.

The mystery and wonder of our sharks and rays is another theme in this issue. Last June, the second Sharks International conference was held in Durban, South Africa. Scientists and conservationists from around the world met to present and discuss advances in our knowledge and understanding of elasmobranchs. I am fortunate to be able to meet and collaborate with the world’s best scientists, conservationists and educators and to nurture this individual contact that is so dear to the heart of the foundation. The ambition of the Save Our Seas magazine is to share these personal and passionate stories through text, pivotal imagery and artwork, and modern graphic design.

My vision of the world has changed dramatically over the two years as CEO of the Save Our Seas Foundation. I see our planet not only through my eyes, but also through the eyes of my two-year-old son. His unfolding perception constantly reminds me how lucky we are as humans to be able to share and take part in this planet’s wealth of biodiversity. I hope this sense of wonder comes across in the magazine and its stories.