Kuril Islands cruises, bird watching cruise

Our conservation activity on this trip includes visiting the Horned Owl Project on Kunashir Island, observing the significance of the Pacific Trench for cetaceans and allowing participants to discover the little known breeding grounds and diversity of many pelagics breeding in this region. Conservation within the Russian Federation is discussed and the work of various agencies is highlighted.

Fees are paid to enter nature reserves on Kunashir Island and Commander Islands, and local guides are employed on Kunashir, Commander and Iturup Islands. Local transport and drivers are contracted, and participants dine at a local restaurant on Iturup Island. Museum entry fees are paid on Commander Island, while local artists have the opportunity to sell goods on Iturup and Commander Islands. Local schools benefit from donations of writing materials and pens.

With our emphasis on natural history, we work principally in unpopulated areas. We visit a number of nature reserves where we work very closely with the government agencies responsible for managing the reserves. We operate an annual “Cruise for Conservation” in which 5% of the advertised fare is given to a specific conservation cause. To date the following agencies have benefited: Save the Albatross, Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust, and Marine Mammal Research Trust. We make significant annual donations to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Russian State Reserve Agency. We also partner with the Enderby Trust to provide scholarships for young people, who could not otherwise afford to travel, to join their expeditions.

Tourism to this part of the world is relatively new, so we prepare clients/passengers in advance of their expedition by providing extensive pre-departure information on the region they will be visiting, highlighting conservation issues and providing background information on the history and, where applicable, customs, religion and politics of the region they will be visiting. When a group visits a populated area a lot of care and attention is given to ensure that the interaction is meaningful and appropriate for both parties. Group sizes are kept small, local customs and traditions are respected and observed, and reasonable time is allocated to each visit. Passengers are encouraged to purchase local goods (always mindful of CITIES Agreements). Where local personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge they are employed as guides while the vessel is working in their region. We also have a policy of training young local guides so that we have a pool of staff to draw from.

When selecting our specialist expedition equipment, vehicles and vessels, we research carefully to ensure the most suitable and the most environmentally responsible. All waste generated on our expeditions is disposed of in a responsible manner. On our vessel it is treated as prescribed by MARPOL, and on land expeditions recycling is encouraged. Non-recyclable waste is brought back for disposal at approved sites. We own an area of native forest in New Zealand and employ a part-time Conservation Officer for predator control and a replanting project. The forest is covenanted to protect it.