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Sailaway

 

 


THE TASK: "Analyse available information about a marine based eco- tourism project in Queensland and highlight its goal, how it functions, what are its restrictions, achievements, positives and negatives."

 

THE PROJECT: 

Sailaway visits the unspoilt Low Isles where the first coral research was undertaken back in 1928. The lagoon is home to a large number of turtles that have little fear of snorkellers, as they know it’s a safe area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THEIR GOAL: Their goal is for the approximately 2 million visitors to the Great Barrier Reef annually to be inspired and take up their own climate change action and reduce their individual impacts.

Sailaway’s owner, Steve Edmondson says;

 “We have plans to continue with carbon offsetting and will do this through the revegetation of an ex-cane paddock and neighbouring World Heritage Rainforest, which we recently purchased.  I hope that the continual development of carbon trading and offset schemes will create incentives for more businesses to think and act green. I believe that allowing renewable forestation and carbon offsetting is the smart way forward as the environment can be a sound investment and benefit the future security of our children.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW DO THEY FUNCTION? Sailaway offers a number of amazing boat tours to the Great Barrier Reef, particularly the Low isles. These trips vary from full day trips to afternoon cruises to tranquil evening voyages.

 Sailaway is a family run business operated by Steve and Katrina Edmondson. The Edmondson’s love the Great Barrier Reef and want to share its beauty and wonder with guests from all parts of the Globe.

Certified marine biologists are employed by sailaway to educate guests on the marine animals and environment. Sailaway also makes daily records that are sent back to the ‘Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’- GBRMPA to help with a program called “Eye on the Reef”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESTRICTIONS: I could not find any restrictions that Sailaway have. Their sustainability and eco-tourism standards are above what is minimally required.

 

ACHIEVEMENTS: Sailaway owner/operator Steve Edmondson’s relentless commitment for environmental sustainability and eco- tourism caught the attention of journalists at one of Australia’s leading travel magazines; Travelling in Australia.

Sailaway has been eco- tourism credited and was the winner of the Best eco- tourism operator, voted as #1 by their visitors.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACHIEVEMENTS:

  •          A safe area for turtles and other marine life.

  •          Their newest boat was chosen for its improved quality and standard of environmental values.

  •          The low isles have recently achieved carbon- neutral status thanks to the investment in a reworked solar-power system, battery banks and use of Biodiesel.

  •          Employs qualified marine biologists

  •          Contribute to the GBRMPA project, ‘Eye on the Reef’.

  •          All food provided is locally and organically sourced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEGATIVES:

  •          Although Sailaway has a clearly genuine interest in environmental preservation and is doing many things to make their eco- tourism business as ecofriendly as possible, by taking guests to the isles it is inevitable that a small carbon footprint is left behind.

 

 

 

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