Update from a local cyberactivist

(C) Greenpeace

There are not a lot of cyberactivists in this part of the world yet, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in enthusiasm. Two of them came down to see the Rainbow Warrior yesterday, and Marilyn wrote a great update about the visit. Marilyn also works with the International Water Program, which has sustainable coastal fisheries as a focal area. They also work on sustainable management of tuna stocks, working closely with the department of Fisheries and FFA. Here's her update...

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[Editor's note: Just received an update from Sunil as well. Posted it bellow. Thanks both of you for your excellent updates!]

Monday, July 12: a windy and cool Suva afternoon. There were no rainbows in the sky, but one moored in the Suva Harbor. My friend Sunil Prasad and I experienced an hour in the life of a crewmember of the Rainbow Warrior (RW), Greenpeace's noble sailing vessel. At 2.15pm we boarded a bright red inflatable boat, sharing the wet "floor" with food supplies such as milk, soy milk, and frozen food. We braved the choppy waves to the RW, where we were helped on board by its friendly, multi-ethnic staff and commenced on a short tour of the vessel after helping move supplies into the galley (kitchen). Malcolm, our host, took us indoors and showed us the compact living quarters, the mess (which was quite clean!), the galley, and then we walked onto the deck and then the bridge deck, where we saw the navigator busy at work mapping out the RW's next journey.

Malcolm explained the meaning of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and told us we were "cyberactivists" that supported Greenpeace's cause. We realized cyberactivists are concerned and responsible people who communicate and advocate environmental sustainability, staying in touch via email from around the world. Greenpeace is a truly international organization, since the RW was registered in Amsterdam and was visiting Suva, Fiji, where an Australian was giving a tour to a couple of Fiji citizens with Indian ancestry! Our discussion and tour ended with an expression of our shared goal: to actively facilitate the process whereby human beings undergo a change in consciousness so they not only understand the importance of resources, but act to conserve and protect those resources.

Sunil and I left the RW feeling elated and even more supportive of the RW's mission to protect the Pacific's fish stocks. The RW itself is a beautiful symbol of the spirit of stewardship and responsibility, and it's crew is a brave and committed one. It's true...you can't sink a rainbow.

-- Marilyn

Our Rainbow

The Pacific Island Countries, its people, culture, traditions and future are all interconnected and linked to each other through the many faces of the sea. This unique relationship has evolved through eons of interdependence of the Pacific Island Countries people’s need for livelihood from the sea and in return the guardianship provided to the vast marine life by these “harvesters of the sea”. Centuries of sustainable and subsistence utilization of this resource has ensured a constant supply from the sea. However, the thin threads of pirate fishing threaten this very essence of life. I had never realized that this was such a big problem for us in the Pacific until I took a tour of the majestic “Rainbow Warrior” which was organized by Greenpeace. Rainbow Warrior berthed in Suva on the 8th of July 2004 and began its public tour soon after its official opening ceremony. I was lucky enough to have had knowledge of this, week before from Malcolm a friend and a fellow of Greenpeace, through the Greenpeace electronic newsletter.

I had anticipated that a ship such as this would be a one of its kind. I was proved absolutely right, as soon as Marilyn (a friend and a colleague) and I stepped on board the ship. We have been fortunate enough to get a first hand experience at loading the ship with supplies. Mind you this is a very rare opportunity as this happened to be “the Rainbow Warrior”, thank you. After making sure that the supplies reached the right room, kitchen for the laymen but Galley for the people on board, we were given a tour of the ship and we met with the crew. While walking through the corridors and decks we noticed, after being told, that the ship was littered with the memories and artifacts from its predecessor, the “Rainbow Warrior I”. Walking through the corridors I also noticed several pictures which showed how life on board the original Rainbow Warrior must have been. If you think heroes are commemorated in Museums, you should visit the Rainbow Warrior. It really is true that you can not sink a Rainbow.

One hour after getting on board, we were told that out water taxi was ready to take us back to land. Although I have never had a “moment”, going down the stairs that day made me realize that “this was my moment” and I swear I will never forget this experience. I take off my hat for all the man and woman who have dedicated their lives for this Peaceful Convoy of the Environmental Goodwill.

Sunil Raj Prasad
Interim Coordinator
PYEN-Fiji, Fiji Islands