Food for sailing: Our guide to the best options – Yachting World

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Looking to choose the right food for sailing? Toby Hodges and Rupert Holmes highlight and review a variety of easy meals, snacks and supplements for the galley locker

While we know the top professional sailors, Olympians and Americas Cup grinders are lean, mean machines who inhale protein shakes to fuel their elite exercise routines, there is also a growing appetite from us mere recreational sailors to take nutrition more seriously when we consider the best food for sailing.

And while a liveaboard lifestyle of growing your own salads and herbs and living off fresh fish may be the dream, the reality for most is that were sailing for short periods and convenience food often comes first.

Volvo Ocean Race sailors tuck in to some much needed freeze dried food. Photo: Matt Knighton

Food for sailing typically still consists of meal deal affairs, comprising sandwiches, sugary drinks and chocolate bars, but replacing the sandwich for a nutrient and calorie rich meal could pay, and certainly opting for snacks and drinks based on natural ingredients rather than sugary foods which cause spikes and slumps in energy.

There are also a growing number of natural products becoming available in easily digestible forms to help with sports recovery, which could prove useful to keep in the galley lockers. Turmeric for example has been linked with aches and pain relief and ginger can help alleviate seasickness.

Perhaps the most well-known brand of freeze-dried and vacuum-pack meals is Expedition Foods. This UK brand, favoured by sailors, rowers, mountaineers and adventurers, has a big range of dried and wet food, ration packs, gels, and snacks, with good information about calorie intake and three different calorie versions of each meal.

Will Hodshon and Richard Mitchell relied on Expedition pouches as their main source of food for sailing during their record breaking sail around Britain in a Wayfarer open dinghy in 2019. Having ingested two 1,000 calorie meals a day for their 15 day voyage, Hodshon says these ready meals were often a highlight of their day.

Rich being a veggie, crossed his fingers for the mac and cheese, but I thought it was hard to beat the spag bol for a bit of home comfort on the high seas, he tells me.

Buy Expedition Foods Spaghetti Bolognese from Amazon (UK)

Buy Expedition Foods Macaroni and Cheese from Amazon (UK)

This French firm is a giant in the industry and supplied a number of Vendee Globe skippers, including Louis Burton and Jean Le Cam, as well as Dutch Golden Globe Race competitor Mark Slats.

The premise is to produce meals that are as close to restaurant quality as possible. Portions are vacuum-sealed in aluminium pouches and can be boiled in their bags or heated in a conventional oven.

The cuisse de canard confite (confit duck leg) is super tender and juicy if plated up with veg and potatoes youd never guess it had come out of a sachet with a 3-year shelf life at room temperature.

On the downside this option falls short of being a complete meal in a bag and needs to be accompanied by carbohydrate and veg. Its one of a range of 20 different recipes in which classic French meat dishes figure heavily.

Buy confit duck leg from Le Bon Bag

Available in pouch form to which you add boiling water, or, as we tried, as a ready to go meal with self-heater supplied with the pack. The heater bags just need a little water (50ml) to activate them, and can then heat the meal (or a soup or hot drink) in 12 minutes, with no fuel or fire needed.

The food pouches are ready meals, so no need to rehydrate them. This means the texture and taste is a lot closer to a freshly made meal than dried food, yet they still have a three-year shelf life.

The chicken Madras is tasty and spicy, with proper chunks of meat and texture. I was puzzled by the zero trace claim on what looks like landfill packaging, but Forestia says all its packaging is 100% recyclable.

Buy Fiorestia Chicken Madras from Amazon (UK)

Adventurers started this Dorset company in 2017 after they couldnt find tasty natural portable food. Founder John Fisher wanted a preservative-free alternative to the freeze-dried meals he was used to relying on when trekking and insisted on using locally sourced fresh ingredients with no additives or flavourings.

The complete one-pot meals are hand-cooked and then dehydrated as opposed to the common method which mixes ingredients after they have been freeze-dried.

I have tried a couple of these, back when the company was fairly new and was impressed with the taste particularly the chilli and risotto meals. Perhaps there is a psychological element at play, knowing youre eating properly sourced and prepared food, but it certainly helps it taste a cut above any other dehydrated food.

Firepot has now extended the range of foods offered and developed a range of eco-packaged meals, which use bio-sourced compostable bags. These obviously need to be heated in a pan not a bag and have a reduced shelf life (one year as opposed to the three of its yellow plastic waterproof pouches), but present a great eco-alternative for those seeking environmentally friendly food for sailing.

Buy Firepot Chilli at Amazon (UK)

Ive found that vegetarian freeze dried meals can have a more realistic texture than those with meat and Summits vegetable chipolote chilli with rice is no exception. Indeed there were few signs that it was freeze dried, though I allowed it to absorb moisture for longer than the stated period.

A recommendation from Tony White, veteran of many double-handed Rolex Fastnet races, as well as the AZAB and Round Britain and Ireland, is to empty the contents of a freeze-dried pack into a wide-neck Thermos jar, then leave the meal to soak up water for at least 30 minutes (three times the usual recommended period).

As well as the palatable texture, this chilli tastes good as well, especially if you like spicy food, though my first choice would still be a wet meal.

Buy Summits Vegetable Chilli with Rice from Amazon (UK)

Part of the Katadyn group, which includes Katadyn and Spectra watermakers, these German made products cater for all meals, snacks and rations.

TreknEat has partnered with the Global Challenge Race 2023 to provide skippers with reduced cost meal options. These freeze-dried products are quick and easy to make. The Chicken in Curried Rice smells and looks like it tastes not great. Stodgy and unnecessarily sweet.

However, while these are not an everyday option for a cruising sailor, their five year shelf life makes them a handy alternative to have in the locker to warm you up and give you the protein and energy needed on a cold day at sea.

They average 600 calories per pouch. Breakfasts and desserts are also available, including muesli and mousse.

Buy TreknEat Chicken in Curried Rice from Amazon (UK)

Described as the ultimate super-fruit, this African fruit is one of the most nutrient dense foods, which is rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin C.

The smoothies are created by blending wild harvested baobab with high-quality organic ingredients to provide a pouch that aids slow energy release, digestive health and strength.

These vegan friendly products are less concentrated than most energy smoothies so are easier on the stomach. Taste wise, if youre not used to energy gels it does feel like youre ingesting pureed baby food and its a tad acidic.

But I like that this Westcountry-based firm is bringing out prototype recyclable propylene pouches this summer and its founder Chris Martin tells me it is part of an initiative to produce a compostable pouch from seaweed in Falmouth bay which will take 18 months.

Buy Tribal Baobab Smoothies from Amazon (UK)

Yachting World is the worlds leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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Food for sailing: Our guide to the best options - Yachting World

On the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, Pew Advocates Discuss Their Work – The Pew Charitable…

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June 5th marks the third annual United Nations International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. Peter Horn, who directs efforts by The Pew Charitable Trusts to end illegal fishingas part of the organizations international fisheriesprogram, spoke to three of his Pew colleagues: Gina Fiore, who focuses on maritime security and fisheries crime; Tahiana Fajardo, who works with governments, enforcement authorities, and the seafood industry to adopt regulations and policies to prevent IUU; and Alyson Kauffman, who focuses on reforming transshipment and improving fisheries enforcement through technology.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Kauffman: Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to focus on the ocean when I grew up. In college, I decided to pursue a career in oceanography. After graduating, I worked as a satellite oceanographer for eight years, analyzing remote sensing data for fishing vessels, to help improve their fishing efforts. When I got to Pew, I knew that I could leverage that skill set to help enforcement officials target areas where protected species are located, or where known overfishing activity has occurred, in an effort to reduce instances of illegal fishing.

Fiore: I grew up fishing recreationally with my family on the east end of Long Island, where the Atlantic Ocean has always been a vital part of the local economy. I saw first-hand with the Long Island lobster industry how disruptions in the ecosystem lead to devastation for communities that rely on the ocean to make a livingnot just on Long Island, but in coastal areas all over the world where people build their economies from fishing. So its important for me to try to stop people and companies that threaten fisheries, especially small-scale and the artisanal fisheries.

Courtesy of Gina Fiore

Fajardo: Illegal fishing is a complex problem, and the public needs to understand that theres no one-layer solution to ending it. The solution is multilayered, and involves all States, the fishing industry, tech companies, NGOs, and end consumers; its not the responsibility of one stakeholder, one country, or one group. Awareness, communication, and coordination are key, and progress can be made faster if every party takes responsibility for their part and holds themselves accountable.

Fiore: Being able to see whos fishing in your waters is an important facet of maritime governance, and a major part of maritime domain awareness. When a country knows what fishing vessels are doing in their countrys waters, it builds better awareness locally and allows for that information to be shared regionally. And as information is shared between countries, it starts to close off ports to bad actorsand eventually disincentivizes illegal fishing in exclusive economic zones. That means improved sustainability, more fish for local and smaller-scale fishermen, and more money coming back into the economy.

Fajardo: A critical problem posed by IUU fishing is that it weakens efforts to sustainably manage fish stocks. Thats because fisheries management measures are based on data that may not be accurate if IUU catches and efforts are not accounted for, putting stocks that are already vulnerable in even more danger.

Fajardo: Unfortunately, how fishers are affected by IUU is an even less discussed problem, but its just as criticalbecause it ultimately affects their safety and lives. What evidence has shown is that because illegal operators cut as many corners as possible when it comes to increasing their profit, they often do so at the expense of anything and anyone. This usually translates into not maintaining minimum safety standards on their vessels, and terrible living and working conditions for their fishers, which adds unnecessary threats and danger to an occupation already considered to be one of the most dangerous in the world.

Courtesy of Tahiana Fajardo

Fajardo: Its the country to which a vessel is registered, and from which the vessel takes its nationality. A flag State ensures proper registration of its fishing vessels and is responsible for having a robust monitoring, control, and surveillance system of its fleets.

Fajardo: Theyre in the unique position to control their fishing fleets, which is a critical responsibility. This oversight carries even more relevance for vessels operating on the high seas, where States other than the flag State have limited jurisdiction. So flag States are fundamental in preventing IUU fishing from taking place in the first placeand for enforcing, on their vessels, international and domestic laws designed to end IUU fishing and related illegal activities.

Kauffman: Transshipment is the transfer of fish from a fishing vessel to a carrier vessel that takes the catch back to port, and it often takes place far out on the high seas, where its difficult to monitor. It plays a really important role in the fishing industry, but it adds one more step in the supply chain, increasing the risk of IUU fish being landed at port.

Courtesy of Alyson Kauffman

Kauffman: Overall, the benefits of technology have provided us the ability to have eyes on whats happening at sea and validate whats being reported, while also detecting increased risk of IUU activity. For instance, data from automatic identification systems (AIS), which are required on vessels over 300 gross tons, can be used to show where fishing vessels are going. Enforcement officials can review this data to see if the vessels are fishing where theyre not supposed to. However, bad actors can look for loopholes to avoid complying with international fisheries policiessuch as turning off or obstructing the AIS to avoid being monitored. Ultimately, technology helps us determine levels of risk and allows us to ask the right questions about whats happening on the high seas.

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These non-profits are determined to conserve the vast oceans of the Earth – YourStory

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Recently, a Filipino ocean microbiologist and an American explorer deep dove into the third-deepest spot on Earth the Phillippines Trench. To their horror, instead of finding ghoulish ocean creatures, they found plastics.

In fact, after a cargo ship caught fire and sunk in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, authorities are mulling the damage that will be caused to the marine ecosystem, including oil spillage and plastic pellets, from the ship.

These are only a few instances from the recent past that highlights how human activities, including the dumping of waste, chemicals, and plastics, are damaging the diverse and rich marine ecosystem.

However, marine biologists, environmentalists, and ocean conservationists, with the help of marine engineers and other experts, are putting in their best effort to create an impact.

They are installing floating trash barriers, waste interceptors, and other technologies that can prevent the trash from entering the sea every day.

Ahead of World Ocean Day, SocialStory identified some of the ocean cleanup projects that are generating awareness about ocean conservation and restoring its biodiversity.

Beach cleanup by Bay of Life

Bay of Life Surf School and Ocean Literacy was started in 2011 by Showkath Jamal. While activities like cleaning beaches and saving marine life, including turtles, have now become popular, Showkath and his team have been doing it for over a decade.

Situated at the Kovalam beach, Chennai, Bay of Life Surf School aims to generate interest in sustainable ocean sportsand activities. While the school comprises a major part of the organisation, it also carries out marine social causes, including beach and ocean clean-ups, through the Bay of Life Foundation.

Some of the major activities of the foundation include beach trash analysis, beach cleanup, andfree surf lessonsfor people who clean upfive kilos of trashfrom the beach. The team has removed over 24,000 kg of wastes from the ocean and the beaches.

Founded in 2013 by Boyan Slat an inventor-entrepreneur The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit based in The Netherlands.

The non-profit has been developing technology, similar to floating trash barriers, to extractplastic from the oceans and intercept it in rivers before it can reach it. It also conducts ocean-specific scientific research to understand the levels of plastic pollution in these water bodies.

In 2019, the organisation announced a new initiative called the Interceptor, which tackles this pollution problem closer to the source, preventing about 80 percent of the trash from rivers from entering the ocean.

US-based Oceana is a non-profit organisation founded in 2001 by a group of leading companies, including the Rockefeller Foundation, focusing on ocean conservation.

Oceana does this by influencing specific policy on the national levels to restore the worlds oceans by conducting research and providing policy recommendations.

The organisation has also taken over other organisations like The Ocean Law Project by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the American Oceans Campaign by actor and environmentalist Ted Danson.

Some of the notable victories of its impactful projects include the rescue of the dusky sharks, creating a marine national park in Spain the second-largest in the country.

The High Seas Alliance (HSA) is a coalition of over 40 NGOs and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It aims to focus on conserving the High Seas. High Seas is an open ocean that isnt governed by any country.

The team works together and engages the public, the experts, and the decision-makers to support and strengthen the governance of the high seas.

Even though there are no binding terms and rules for the establishment of protected areas in the high seas, these regions are severely impacted by pollution.

The HSA works to create awareness about the same while also ensuring that effective conservation measures are taken to address these ocean conservation gaps.

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These non-profits are determined to conserve the vast oceans of the Earth - YourStory

Beverly High graduates encouraged to enjoy the little things, do some deep introspection – Wicked Local

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VIDEO: Danvers & Beverly High Graduations of the Past

Some images from past commencement ceremonies for graduates of Beverly and Danvers High School

Jennie Oemig, Wicked Local

BEVERLY It may have been a sweltering day at Hurd Stadium, but Beverly High Schools 2021 graduates, along with their friends, family members and loved ones, were just happy to be together in the same place celebrating the occasion.

These past four years have been filled with laughs, smiles, tears, a lot of ups, and a lot of downs, said graduating senior Cameron Jones in his welcome address. As a whole weve been through hell; without stating the obvious, our class is very special, and will be forever remembered for our perseverance.

Noting that the senior class has had an uncomfortable and strange year, Jones encouraged each of his peers to enjoy the little things in life.

Try your best to not take them for granted, he urged. Life is too short, and if you dont stop to appreciate it you just might miss it.

Class President Tobey Archibald referenced the many ways in which his bucket list for high school fell short of expectations, with things like junior prom, senior pep rally and a big Thanksgiving game forever left unchecked.

Eventually, he realized the list just needed to be ripped up and thrown away.

Not to say that I believe bucket lists are antiquated and evidently useless, but if there is anything weve learned in the past four years it is that life clearly, and painfully, does not adhere to a certain list, he said. It may feel wrong, and sad, and scary when you cant cross off all of the things that are supposed to make you feel the happiest and have the most fun, but it's so crucial that we all take the time to have the awareness that we just accomplished so much more than what could ever be written down on a bucket list, or taught in a class or heard in a speech.

Mayor Michael P. Cahill congratulated the Class of 2021, noting the incredible struggles the seniors have had to grapple with during a year that was shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.

You have shown incredible inner strength and resilience as you have been challenged this past year, he said. And I hope, with all my heart, that this will be the silver lining to this past long year, that what you have faced and overcome will have helped prepare you for success and much happiness in your lives ahead.

Without question, the high school experience for members of the Class of 2021 has been far different from those who have graduated from Beverly High School in the past.

A little over a year ago, who would have imagined wearing masks, holding classes in a hybrid model, social distancing and even one-way hallways? said Superintendent Sue Charochak. The past 15 months have all of us learning new ways of communicating, and have led to each of us examining our perspectives about so many things.

Salutatorian Jackson Clark reminded everyone in attendance that as people age, life passes them by faster and faster, a concept that makes some feel anxious, as if they are a small boat in high seas.

It is momentous days like these graduations, big exams, and first days when we find ourselves feeling like small boats in high seas, he said. Undoubtedly, each challenge you overcome will prepare you for the next, and together, our small boats will weather the storm.

Valedictorian Alexia Vayeos implored her peers to do some deep introspection this summer.

Dont be afraid to admit that you messed up in high school or have some (or many) (or a lot of) regrets, she said. Even if you thought you had the perfect high school experience which you probably (no, definitely) didnt consider what you can do to become a better person and make the most of your life. There is a reason most graduations are called commencements. Youre about to start a new chapter in your life, and you can be whoever you want to be.

To view more photos from Sunday's ceremony, visit http://www.wickedlocal.com/heraldcitizen.

Jazlynn Marie Abbott

William Lawrence Adams

William Joseph Adisho

Sarah Jennifer Allushi

Christopher Joseph Almeida

Ali Farazdak Alsahlawi

Jack David Andersen

Sydney Christine Anderson

Jayla Lynne Anderson-Jaber

Colin David Andrew

Tobey Ellis Archibald

Shalissa Marilyn Arias

Austin Tyler Ayer

Joseph John Balkus

Shania Rose Bancroft

Camille Shannon Barror

Julia Ann Barry

Sarah Katherine Barth

Dorothy Rose Bartlett

Jonathan Thomas Bates

Nathaniel Belizaire

Hailey Sara Bello

Mario Anthony Bermudez

Andrew Michael Bernfeld

Kaylee Marie Bettencourt

Virginia Lily Betts

Ivi Biu

Amanda Persis Blanchard

Julia Thi Block

Adolfo Antonio Bonilla

Jordin Lillian Bonilla

Rachel Paige Botte

Carson Frederick Brean

Richard Coelho Brito

Amber Lynn Brook

Alexia Jaelyn Brown

Sofia Deni Bucco

Nicholas Albert Buoniconti

Joshua George Burnett

Matthias Wernaa Butin

Jack Augustus Butterfield

Justin Robert Butters

Christian Michael Butterworth

Bryn Meredith Cafferty

Justin William Cahill

Eamon Joseph Callaghan

Nathan James Campbell

Grace Yuan Carella

Samantha Lyn Carnevale

Julia Rose Carpenter

Ariane Catherine Chanda

Zachary Daniel Charette

Emily Marija Chase

Emma Catherine Clark

Jackson McCaffrey Clark

Erin Suzanne Clark

Sarah Ann Codding

Cassidy Ann Coe

Clayton Thomas Gregory Cogswell

Nicholas Landan Cole

Anthony John Coletti

Dariangelys Colon

Gabriel Josue' Colon

Yaniel Olmo Concepcion

Kolton Philip Cook

Lily Rose Cook

Travis Michael Coombs

Annalise Rachel Cormier

Maya Marie Cormier

Brett Anthony Costa

Hannah Margaret Costa

Kevin Francis Costa

Emma Rose Costain

Griffin Matthew Coyne

Rosemary Abigail Cunney

Anne Elizabeth Curtin

Robson Antonio Da Silva Jr.

Kelsi Susan DalBon

Julieann Damas DaSilva

Ryan Tyler Day

Madison Judith Delano

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Beverly High graduates encouraged to enjoy the little things, do some deep introspection - Wicked Local

Didn’t get enough of a ‘Friends’ fix from the reunion? How about a ‘Friends’-themed cruise? – USA TODAY

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Chris Gray Faust, CruiseCritic.com Published 11:00 a.m. ET June 4, 2021 | Updated 12:47 p.m. ET June 4, 2021

We would have posted this sooner, but "we were on a break." USA TODAY

Could it BE any more fun?

If the recent reunion of everybody's favorite Friends isn't enough for you, a theme cruise that celebrates the iconic '90s TV show will take place May 15 to May 21, 2022, on Celebrity Equinox. The cruise ship will leave from Fort Lauderdale, with scheduled ports of Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Like many theme cruises, the sailing is being put together by an outside company, the travel agency Fan World Travel. It is a partial charter of the ship, with events dedicated solely for people who book through the agency's siteCruise With Friends.

The site promises Friends-themed costume contests, trivia games and more: "Get ready to eat like Joey, joke like Chandler, cook like Monica, shop like Rachel, yoga like Phoebe and dig like Ross."

Theme cruises:From '80s music to auto racing, there's a cruise for every fandom

This image provided by HBO Max shows Matt LeBlanc, from left, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow in a scene from the "Friends" reunion special.(Photo: Terence Patrick, AP)

No actors from the show are scheduled to be on the cruise. But we speak from experience when we say that there's nothing like being on a cruise with 1,000 other people who love the same TV show that you do.

Review:The 'Friends' reunion is everything fans hoped it would be

Don't want to miss out on "The One With The Cruise"? Fares range from $1,648.66 per person for an inside stateroom up to $3,048.66 for a Sky Suite with a balcony. On Celebrity, Wi-Fi, a premium beverage package, $150 shore excursion credit per person, gratuities, taxes and fees are included in the fare.

Theme cruises often have different payment policies than regular cruises, and the Friends one is no exception. Deposits are $1,000 per person for inside, oceanview and balcony cabins and suites are $1,500 per person -- due at booking and nonrefundable. (The site encourages travel insurance).

So who will be there for you on the high seas? Grab your besties and find out.

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Didn't get enough of a 'Friends' fix from the reunion? How about a 'Friends'-themed cruise? - USA TODAY

Protecting the ocean from 5 big threats (photo gallery) | US Embassy & Consulates in Italy – US Embassy Rome

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A snorkeler swims near a whale shark, the world's biggest fish, in Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia. ( Helmut Corneli/Alamy)

There is only one global ocean a vast body of water that covers 71 percent of the Earth. That ocean is geographically divided into five ocean basins: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Southern.

A healthy planet needs a healthy ocean. The interdependency of the five basins and humans dependence on the marine environment will be highlighted June 8, onWorld Oceans Day 2021, with the theme The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods.

Listed below are five interconnected threats that pose the biggest challenges to ocean health, along with measures to tackle each of these issues:

The German research vessel Polarstern in the Central Arctic Ocean, with a team of scientists from 20 countries, completed a mission to the North Pole in 2020. The mission found dramatic effects of global warming on sea ice, a finding backed by U.S. satellite images. ( Abaca Press/Alamy)The climate crisis is also an ocean crisis. The ocean has absorbed 20 to 30 percent of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions since the 1980s. And more than 90 percent of the warming that has happened on Earth during the past 50 years has occurred in the ocean.

As the ocean absorbs more heat and carbon dioxide, sea surface temperatures, sea levels andocean acidificationrise. This can increase storm and flood damage, harm to marine species and biodiversity loss.

The U.S. supports efforts to achieve net-zerogreenhouse gas emissionsby 2050 to protect the ocean. Ocean-based ways to help decarbonize include scaling up offshore renewable energy, reducing emissions from shipping and ports, and restoring coastal blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrasses which not only capture and store carbon dioxide but also protect coasts.

A green sea turtle swims over coral reefs with azure vase sponges in the Caribbean Sea. ( Matthew Banks/Alamy)Fish provide nutrition for more than 3 billion people and support the livelihoods of 12 percent of the worlds population. But more than one-third of the oceans fish stocks are being harvested beyond sustainable levels.

Overfishing can affect entire ecosystems, depleting fish stocks and endangering vulnerable species likesea turtles. Overfishing threatens fishers long-term livelihoods.

The United States champions building cooperative, science-based rules to ensure that fisheries can be sustainable for the long term. The U.S. also works to reduce bycatch of other marine life along with a target catch. For example, the U.S. requires that shrimp imported from other countries are not caught in ways that also harm endangered sea turtles.

Boats sit idle during a ban on fishing to protect the industrys sustainability. Overharvesting due to illegal fishing is one reason such temporary bans are needed. ( STR/AFP/Getty)

One of the greatest challenges facing international fisheries is illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Such fishing costs the world tens of billions of dollars each year. It harms coastal communities that rely on sustainable fishing for income and for food to eat.

IUU fishing operations can involve criminal activities like money laundering, drug trafficking and human trafficking including forced labor.

The United States works closely with other countries tocombat IUU fishingand is working to build international rules that can help countries to monitor and control their fishing vessels and their waters. The U.S. wants strong multilateral programs and standards in place such as the Port State Measures Agreement that increase oversight of seafood in trade and prevent IUU-caught fish from entering the market.

Plastic, which never fully biodegrades, can entrap or be ingested by fish. ( Andrey Nekrasov/Barcroft Media/Getty)Scientists estimate that there are more than 150 million tons of plastic pollution in the ocean, with another 8 million tons added each year. That works out to a full garbage trucks worth of plastic pollution entering the ocean every minute!

Once in the water, plastic never fully biodegrades. It can entrap or be ingested by fish, seabirds, turtles and marine mammals.

The United States manages waste to reduce marine debris at home and helps other countries improve their waste management, including finding ways to stop abandoned fishing gear from entering the ocean. The U.S. also undertakes research and promotesinnovation to reduce plastic wastein the ocean.

The United States supports protection of marine habitats in Antarctica like this one in Paradise Bay. ( Samantha Crimmin/Alamy)Withmarine lifeunder threat, its important to establish marine protected areas, which can protect biodiversity and critical habitats, support fisheries, capture and store carbon, and build ocean resilience.

The United States has set a goal of conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. While most areas in need of conservation are closer to shore, there are also areas of the high seas such as waters around Antarctica that warrant protection. The U.S. continues to support marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean and elsewhere around the globe.

By U.S. Mission Italy | 7 June, 2021 | Topics: News | Tags: Protecting ocean

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Protecting the ocean from 5 big threats (photo gallery) | US Embassy & Consulates in Italy - US Embassy Rome

Where Sun, Sand and Splendor Are Still to Be Discovered – The New York Times

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Waterfront living is a concept that seems to have endless appeal. It doesnt matter whether you swim or partake in water sports or not, said Danny Hertzberg, a real estate agent with the Jills Zeder Group in Miami Beach, who sees nonstop demand in waterfront properties. For most people, the ultimate amenity is the water. Its always desirable.

Interest in waterfront properties has grown significantly in the last year. Sales at the Jills Zeder Group, for instance, increased to over $1 billion in 2020 from $500 million in 2019. According to Mr. Hertzberg, a majority of these sales were waterfront homes. Were already on track this year to outpace 2020, he said.

And during the first quarter of this year, page views for waterfront amenities and features on the website of Sothebys International Realty increased to 56,517 from 11,818 in the same period in 2020 an increase of more than 378 percent.

South Florida; Los Cabos, Mexico; and Marbella, Spain, are mainstays for waterfront properties, but other places are starting to get attention, too, like these five emerging destinations.

This Caribbean island nation has more than 300 white-sand beaches and four marinas, including one that housed the British fleet during colonial times and is now a base for megayachts.

Justin White, the co-owner of Anchor Antigua Realty, an affiliate of Christies International Real Estate, said the island was ideal for those who enjoy watersports. We have great snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and kite surfing, he said. You can come here and be active all day and start your evening with a cocktail on the beach during sunset.

Antigua has low crime rates, making safety an advantage of owning a home there. Grocery stores, which abound, sell both imported goods and local delicacies like lobster. Although roads on the island can be bumpy, Mr. White said they were being improved.

Home buyers will find a cross section of properties in Antigua, from apartments to townhouses to spacious villas. Mr. White said that prices for a two-bedroom townhouse started at about $200,000, and that villas in upscale developments, such as Galley Bay Heights, were well into the seven figures.

More recently, Barbuda, a virtually undeveloped island, has been getting attention because the luxury real estate developer Discovery Land Company is building Barbuda Ocean Club, a community that broke ground in 2019. A chic-meets-rustic beach club with waterfront safari tents is already complete and gives interested buyers an opportunity to visit and explore ownership. The community, which occupies more than 700 acres, has seven miles of beachfront and will have 450 residences, including estates, golf villas and waterfront cottages. Ranging from 2,000 to 7,500 square feet, they have a starting price of $3 million.

Discoverys project is the pinnacle of luxury and is going to elevate Antigua and Barbuda to another level, but there are plenty of affordable housing options as well, Mr. White said.

While Mexico is a well-established site for a waterfront home, Rick Moeser, executive director of Christies International Real Estate, said Careyes, a private resort community, and the surrounding Costalegre region were still largely uncharted.

Unlike the rest of the country, which is overbuilt and crowded, this coastline is spread out and somewhat undiscovered, he said.

On the Pacific coast, between the cities of Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, Careyes is where the jungle meets the sea. Mr. Moeser described the landscape as dramatic, with many cliffs, surrounded by lush trees, framing scenic beaches.

Founded in 1968 by an Italian entrepreneur, Gian Franco Brignone, Careyes has grown over the last several decades to more than 35,000 acres. It includes a polo field and a biosphere reserve with 70 species of animals and more than 1,200 varieties of flora and fauna.

In real estate, Careyes has 65 villas, most with infinity pools, along cliffs overlooking the Pacific. There are also 40 colorful casitas, inspired by the Amalfi Coast of Italy, and El Careyes Club & Residences, which comprises 60 homes of one to four bedrooms. Prices for a one-bedroom casita start at about $400,000, while oceanfront villas average around $2.5 million.

Mr. Moeser said the community, with its Italian roots, attracted home buyers from Europe, although Americans were starting to filter in.

About an hours drive down the coast, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, Mxico, scheduled to open at the end of this year, will include clifftop villas and beachfront estates. (The exact number is still to be announced.) Sitting on a 3,000-acre private natural reserve, the resort will have three pools, a spa, a watersports center and an 18-hole golf course.

Architecturally, buyers should expect traditional Mexican homes, with stucco and natural stone. Theres a feeling of authentic Mexico here, Mr. Moeser said.

About a 30-minute drive west of Riga, on the Baltic Sea, the resort town Jurmala is an attraction for its golden-sand beaches, which are framed by dunes and rock formations. According to Michael Valdes, the president of eXp Global, a division of eXP Realty in Bellingham, Wash., Russians have vacationed and bought second homes there for years, but more recently, other Europeans have started to come. Youre seeing buyers from the Czech Republic, Poland and Lithuania, he said.

Mr. Valdes added that the beaches in Jurmala were among the most scenic in Europe, and that its strong infrastructure was supported by good medical care, restaurants and grocery stores.

Jurmala offers diverse real estate options, from modest apartments in the center of town, which start at a few hundred thousand dollars, to luxury seven-figure villas on the secluded coastline.

Eriks Reinicans, the director of the local real estate company Jurmala Invest, said that for around $500,000, buyers could find a three- or four-bedroom apartment in an upscale development with a pool that was about a 10-minute drive to the beach. You get much more value for your money if youre willing to be away from the water, he said.

Because Latvias winters can be brutally cold, Jurmala is not an ideal year-round destination, though it does offer access to historical sights in Riga and hiking in the forests that surround the sea.

The Bahamas has long been a popular vacation and second-home destination for travelers from all over the world. Some foreign home buyers even make the country their primary residence because it has no income tax. This international influx has mostly gone to New Providence Island, home to the capital, Nassau, and numerous residential developments and beach resorts.

Lately, however, in a search for more privacy and a relaxed lifestyle away from the hubbub, buyers have been setting their sights on the Exumas. Consisting of about 365 islands, many privately owned, this chain promises secluded beaches with turquoise waters, an abundance of marine life and a wide range of watersports, including fly-fishing, scuba diving and kiteboarding.

Edward de Mallet Morgan, a partner at Knight Frank, a global real estate consultancy based in London, said the interest in owning a home in the Exumas had increased in the wake of the pandemic. Properties used to sit on the market for six months to a year and now sell within a few weeks, he said. People want to be away from the crowds, and thats what the Exumas offers.

This new set of home buyers is mainly from California, New York, Britain, mainland Europe and South America.

Homes throughout the islands run the gamut from affordable to extravagant.

Great Exuma, for example, the biggest island and site of the district capital, George Town, has brightly colored single-family homes that each cost a few hundred thousand dollars. The Marina at Hoopers Bay, a residential community on the northwest part of the island, offers 30 residences a mix of townhouses and villas that cost from $350,000 to more than $3 million.

Private islands run from $5 million to $100 million, Mr. Morgan said. Little Pipe Cay, for example, a 38-acre private island with multiple homes, is currently on the market for $85 million.

Even with such lavishness, the Exumas are unpretentious and welcoming, said Brent Hurt, the managing partner of the Marina at Hoopers Bay. This is a place where the very wealthy and everyday locals mingle together in shorts and flip-flops, he said.

In northwest Idaho, about a 30-minute drive from Spokane, Wash., Coeur dAlene is known for its lake and national forest.

Lately, the city has become appealing to buyers who are seeking vacation homes in rural settings where the waterfront takes center stage, said Tammy Fahmi, the vice president for global operations and international servicing at Sothebys International Realty. Many are from California, Washington State and Oregon, but Canadians are also finding their way there.

Coeur dAlene is a year-round destination, Ms. Fahmi said. People love it for the fishing, boating, swimming and hiking in the summer, while in the winter, theres snowmobiling, snowboarding and cross-country and downhill skiing.

But beyond the city, there are more than 50 lakes within a two-hour drive, said Mike McNamara, a real estate agent with Windermere/Coeur dAlene Realty and Windermere Hayden. They include Lake Pend Oreille, the largest in Idaho. The area is an outdoor paradise every month of the year, and life revolves around the lakes, he added.

Prospective buyers can expect single-family homes in Coeur dAlene, with few apartments and townhouses, although some are currently being built. Home prices average around $477,000. You can get a three-bedroom new-construction 1,800-square-foot house for that amount, but there are definitely more upscale options, Mr. McNamara said.

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Where Sun, Sand and Splendor Are Still to Be Discovered - The New York Times

The Best Smaller Islands to Visit in the BVIs – AFAR Media

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Four of the British Virgin Islands get the most attentionTortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegadabut there are more than 60 isles and cays to explore in this Caribbean archipelago. Visit one of the lesser-known islands and youll find the same white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, just with smaller crowds and the added bonus of endangered wildlife, exclusive resorts, water-level caves, and prime dive sites.

Below weve rounded up the four best smaller islands to visit in the BVI, whether you want to hike through the jungle, hobnob with celebrities, search for hidden treasure, or dive down to a shipwreck. Expect a wholly different kind of day in paradise.

Fulfill your castaway fantasies by chartering a boat in Tortola and sailing it yourself to Sandy Cay. Once part of Laurance S. Rockefellers private domain, the uninhabited island, roughly three miles west of Tortola, is a nesting site for leatherback turtles and was declared a national park in 2008. A hiking trail tunnels through the jungle interior, topping out at the north-facing cliffs that rise above the churning surf, but most day-tripping Robinson Crusoes row dinghies ashore simply to sink into the soft sand.

Owned by Sir Richard Branson, this 74-acre gem just north of Virgin Gorda is surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with white sand. While beaches here are technically open to the public, the island operates as a luxury resort, complete with Balinese-style accommodations, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and specialty dining like a floating sushi bar. Its most often rented exclusively by groups (housing up to 22 people), but individuals, couples, and families looking to experience Necker Island for themselves can book a room for a seven-night stay on select Celebration Weeks throughout the year. Those lucky enough to snag a reservation may rub elbows with celebrities or even Branson himself at the beautiful main residence, which was entirely rebuilt after a fire in 2011 and again following Hurricane Irma in 2017.

At the southern tip of the BVI archipelago, Norman Island was once a favorite spot for pirates to store their booty. Its now referred to by locals as Treasure Island and is said to have been the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevensons novel of the same name. Still, the islands real treasure lies in its three water-level caves, which line the western edge of the large harbor. Spend the day here snorkeling or diving to spot jewel-toned tropical fish, then finish with a drink or two at Willy Ts, a pirate-themed bar on a converted cargo ship anchored just offshore.

A favorite spot for scuba divers, Cooper Island sits adjacent to the BVIs wreck alley, where several ships were deliberately sunk as dive sites. On shore, the island is home to a handful of private homes and the seriously cool Cooper Island Beach Club hotel, which uses solar power to brew its very own beer.

>>Next: The AFAR Guide to the British Virgin Islands

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The Best Smaller Islands to Visit in the BVIs - AFAR Media

Norwegian Donates $25000 to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation – Cruise Industry News

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Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it has donated $25,000 to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) in honor of World Oceans Day on June 8.

Additionally, according to a press release, the world-renowned artist will create a custom masterpiece that will wrap the Lighthouse on Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise lines private island in the Bahamas.

The donation, which is part of a continued partnership to raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation, will further benefit the foundations scientific research, including first-of-its-kind shark tracking programs which have revealed discovery insights into the lives of these species and therefore encouraged increased protection efforts.

The donation will also assist in the development and availability of the GHOF Educational Program, designed to provide state-standardized curriculum that introduces students K-12 to the beauty of the worlds oceans and its delicate ecosystem.

"I am thrilled to celebrate World Oceans Day with Norwegian Cruise Line," said Guy Harvey. "(Norwegians) support of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation has been instrumental in conducting our cutting-edge marine research and engaging cruisers with our award-winning video content and educational programs. We all look forward to safely getting back out on the water to sustainably enjoy our ocean resources."

As part of the partnership, Guy Harveys iconic marine wildlife depictions including sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and more will decorate the Great Stirrup Cays Lighthouse, which at nearly 100 feet high, also serves as the launch pad to the private islands zipline, which spans a total of 1,200 feet long at 110 feet above the ground.

Later in 2021, guests will be able to enjoy this work while zipping to new heights and taking in endless ocean vistas, the cruise line said.

"We have a responsibility to protect our ocean resources now and for future generations to come," said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer at Norwegian Cruise Line.

"Through our global corporate sustainability program, Sail & Sustain, we are always looking for new partnerships, technologies and processes to protect and preserve the world around us. Our continued partnership with the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation has allowed us to continue to fulfill our environmental commitments of preservation, while also fostering a culture of awareness among our guests," he added.

Norwegian Cruise Line and GHOF have a long-standing partnership of working together to bring awareness to the importance of protecting marine wildlife and the benefits of a naturally balanced ocean ecosystem through various initiatives, including annual conservation cruises aboard Norwegian Escape, whose hull art was designed by Guy Harvey and depicts a magnificent underwater scene.

During these voyages, guests have the opportunity to interact with Guy Harvey through curated events and panel discussions led by him and the leading experts and scientists from Nova Southeastern Universitys Guy Harvey Research Institute.

The next annual conservation cruise will take place in 2022, with additional details forthcoming, Norwegian wrote.

As part of its sustainability initiatives, Norwegian became the first major cruise company to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles across its 17-ship fleet and private islands, replacing over six million single-use plastic water bottles each year through its partnership with JUST Goods, Inc. The Company has also eliminated all single-use plastic straws, plates and cutlery on Great Stirrup Cay.

The partnership between the brands parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University includes a coral reef restoration initiative to reduce the effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors around the coral reefs surrounding Great Stirrup Cay as part of its global corporate sustainability program Sail & Sustain. Through this program, the company has launched many successful initiatives to mitigate waste, invest in new technologies to improve fuel and energy efficiency and promote water conservation and management across the fleet. The implementation of initiatives by the dedicated ship crews and unique company partnerships are essential to the programs success.

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Norwegian Donates $25000 to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation - Cruise Industry News

The 15 most beautiful Scottish islands to visit – goodhousekeeping.com

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1111IESPDJ

Here at Good Housekeeping, we love relaxing on gorgeous beaches, soaking up the beauty of the worlds best natural landscapes and learning about different cultures.

But you dont always have to travel long distances for exciting experiences as weve got a wealth of stunning beaches, amazing landscapes and interesting traditions right here in the UK.

Cornwall, the Isle of Wight, the Jurassic Coast and the Isles of Scilly are home to some of our favourite British beaches, but for really remote landscapes, bracing dog walks along the shore, unique food and drink tastings and fascinating heritage, there is nowhere quite like the Scottish islands.

There are over 900 offshore isles to explore, grouped into four main clusters: the northernmost Shetland Islands, the Neolithic Orkneys and the Inner and Outer Hebrides - famous for their white-sand beaches and brilliant outdoor activities.

Visitors will also find islands in Scotland's inlets and firths and on its iconic freshwater lochs (just watch out for mythical monsters!). Yet somehow, Scotland's beautiful islands are still one of Britains best-kept secrets.

To make things easier, weve narrowed down our 15 favourite Scottish islands and all of their best bits, with how you can visit, whether you love a spot of island hopping, travelling in luxury or you're after an eco-friendly escape.

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1Mull

Located in western Scotlands Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Mull is the fourth-largest Scottish island, known for its white-tailed sea eagles, a favourite on the BBCs Coast and Springwatch, the 700-year-old Duart Castle and the colourful houses that line the waterfront of Tobermory.

This town, which is the largest on Mull and the inspiration for CBeebies Balamory, is sprinkled with pubs, eateries, specialist shops and nature trails.

You can visit on a luxury private yacht with fellow Good Housekeeping readers.

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2Islay

Islay - also known as the Queen of the Hebrides - is Scotland's whisky isle, where you can sip single malts in one of nine working distilleries.

Its also the perfect spot for bird watchers, who will be keen to see the beautiful hen harriers up on Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve and the large flocks of wild geese who visit the isle every winter on their long journey to Canada.

Top tip: its pronounced 'eye-lah'.

You can visit Islay with Good Housekeeping this summer.

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3Eigg

Although tiny Eigg is only home to 90 people, its community is also made up of marine animals and birdlife, including gorgeous Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds.

On Eigg you can climb Britains largest pitchstone ridge, watch eagles fly over dreamy white sand beaches and learn about the worlds first renewably powered electricity grid, plus its just a short sail to the town of Inverie in Loch Nevis, where you can have a drink at the most remote pub in the British Isles.

Visit Eigg on a luxury cruise with Good Housekeeping.

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4Arran

One of Scotlands most popular islands, Arran packs in the culture. Time your visit to check out one of the many cultural festivals held on the island and make sure to taste the local cheese, beer and oatcakes.

You can also while away the hours admiring artworks inspired by the island scenery at Arran Art Gallery, or taking in the magnificent period furniture, waterfall and woodlands of Brodick Castle.

Other fun activities on Arran include seeing the early Christian carvings in Kings Caves, or a walk from Arran Brewery to Glen Rosa, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Goatfell ranges scraggy peaks.

5Lewis and Harris

Lewis and Harris are two real Scottish heritage islands. Youll still hear Gaelic spoken on the streets of Stornoway, the islands main town, and you can browse hand-woven Harris tweed clothing in the shops - perhaps what the area is most famous for.

Archaeology buffs will love the mysterious Neolithic landing stones at Callanish, which are even older than Stonehenge, and at the ancient blackhouse villages you can experience the unique Gaelic farming system of crofting.

You can visit Lewis during a cruise along the west coast of Scotland.

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6Jura

Jura gets its name from the ancient Norse word for 'deer', so its no surprise this narrow Southern Hebridean island is one of the wildest places in Scotland, where the 200-odd inhabitants are outnumbered by the local deer.

Jura is a walkers paradise and the west of the island is especially unspoilt - featuring wealth of wildlife, stunning views and a sense of total peace. Its probably why George Orwell chose Jura as the place to finish writing his bestselling novel 1984.

7Fair Isle

One of the craftiest of the Shetland Islands, Fair Isles past is interwoven with a rich history of wool, textiles and the inimitable Fair Isle technique. Fair Isle knits, with their classic geometric patterns, were made famous by the royal family back in the 20s and are still popular today.

You can learn all about the process of knitting with our sister magazine Prima. From seeing Uradale sheep on a local farm, to watching the dying process and even trying your hand at knitting in a workshop alongside experts Hazel Tindall and Kathleen Anderson, this is the perfect short break for everyone from beginners to knitting pros.

Visit the Shetlands with Prima.

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8Orkney

Weve all heard of Orkney crab. Well, theres nowhere you can have it fresher than here, in a restaurant on the craggy cliffs of Orkneys wild Atlantic Coast. But theres plenty more to do on Orkey.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site to see the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar and the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae - where remarkable dwellings appeared from beneath the sand dunes in a storm just 150 years ago. Interestingly, Gaelic was never spoken in Orkney, and locals - who speak a distinctive dialect of the Scots language - are called Orcadians.

9Skye

The Isle of Skye is on everyones bucket list, and with less foreign travel on the cards this year, we think nows the perfect time to make the trip. Skye offers spectacular sunsets over the mountains and into the sea, delicious seafood with a French twist in the Michelin-starred Loch Bay and magical hikes around the otherworldly Fairy Glen.

Portree, the isles capital, has a lovely harbour fringed by dramatic cliffs which is great to stroll around - a walk up to the Apothecarys Tower offers a view thats simply not to be missed.

Visit Skye and Scotlands West Coast gems with Good Housekeeping in July or on an East to West sailing from Edinburgh to Glasgow, both on the square-rigged sailing ship, Golden Horizon. For something more intimate, visit in autumn on a luxury yacht.

10Eriska

To arrive at this private tidal island on Scotlands West Coast you have to cross a rattling wooden-decked bridge at low tide. But its worth it. The views across Loch Linnhe and its maze of small islands are spectacular, and the blue-green hills of Appin to the North and Morvern to the South stand proud in the distance.

There are also 300 acres of private gardens on Eriska, a gorgeous coastline, wildlife including deer, otters and badgers, and a Victorian mansion which was renovated into a luxury hotel and spa. Stay for pampering, sports and leisure, and walks through the secluded grounds.

Read Good Housekeeping's review and book a stay.

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11Gigha

Tiny Gigha (pronounced 'Gee'a') is the 'Good Isle' of the Hebrides, and is owned by the islanders themselves. The community here has been growing since the island was bought by its inhabitants back in 2002.

With a warm microclimate, Gigha is perfect for holidays taking in the sandy beaches and clear turquoise seas. Achamore House, set in over 50 acres of woodland gardens, has a renowned Rhododendron and Camellia Collection and exotic plants that are beautiful year-round.

Experience island hopping in the Hebrides with Good Housekeeping.

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12Inchmurrin

Inchmurrin in Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater island in the British Isles. Now covered in woodland, it used to be a deer park owned by the Dukes of Montrose and features the atmospheric ruins of a castle.

Stay in self-catering accommodation on Inchmurrin to enjoy swims from one of its many pretty beaches and visits to the highly rated Inchmurrin bar and restaurant.

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13Hirta

Although Hirta is a UNESCO double World Heritage Site and the 'jewel in the crown' of the National Trust for Scotland, a visit to the remote St Kilda archipelago is totally dependent on the weather - which is what makes it feel all the more dramatic.

The islands are the stunning remains of a volcanic crater, where thousands of seabirds like to nest. Its also a spot known for sightings of minke whales. But its difficult to live on this exposed island. Although Hirta was inhabited for over 5,000 years, the remote island community all self-evacuated in 1930. Want to know more? Head to the tiny St Kilda museum.

Visit Hirta during Good Housekeeping's island hopping cruise in the Hebrides.

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14Inchconnachan

Another of Loch Lomonds islands, Inchconnachan is in the Trossachs National Park and has an especially unusual feature: its home to a population of wallabies - yes, those cute marsupials native to Australia and Papua New Guinea!

It turns out the eccentric Lady Arran was fond of exotic animals and introduced them to Loch Lomond, where she grew up. You can visit the island on a ferry from Luss and stay at the old coaching inn, The Winnock, which has been welcoming weary travellers passing through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs for centuries.

If youre feeling inspired to explore Scotland, browse the full list of Good Housekeeping Holidays Scottish breaks.

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The 15 most beautiful Scottish islands to visit - goodhousekeeping.com

This Entire B.C. Island Could Be Yours For Less Than $640000 – 604 Now

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Its no secret that the cost of living in Vancouver is incredibly high. So high in fact, that you can buy your own island for around the same price as a typical condo in the city.

Burts Island is currently up for sale and it will set you back approximately $637,317 Canadian dollars.

You can find this hidden gem in the Bamfield Inlet within Barkley Sound on Vancouver Islands rugged west coast. The area is known as being one of the top fishing destinations in B.C.

RELATED: No Mans Land: Forbidden Places In B.C. Nobody Is Allowed To Visit

According to Private Islands Inc., the non-developed 5.3 acre island is one of the most affordable private islands on the B.C. coast.

The website states: Unlike the Georgia Strait and Inner Coast, very few private islands become available for sale on the west coast of the island.

That makes this steal of a deal even more rare.

Photo: Google Earth

Other highlights of the island include how easily accessible it is and that it features multiple choices for building sites.

With such a low cost, the potential owners would also have more of a budget to spend on building a dock and home surrounded by all the lush trees.

Where: In the Bamfield Inlet within Barkley Sound on Vancouver Island

Cost: Approximately $637,317 Canadian (listing online)

For more cool things to do and see in beautiful B.C., check out our Travel & Outdoors section.

Plan your next night out, enter contests, and stay connected.

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This Entire B.C. Island Could Be Yours For Less Than $640000 - 604 Now

St Barts to re-open its borders to vacationers on June 9 – GlobeNewswire

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St Barthelemy, June 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nils Dufau, the President of the St Barths Tourism Committee announced a plan today to re-open the islands borders to residents of the US and most other countries, effective June 9, 2021.

US Residents will be allowed to enter St Barts if they meet these two conditions:

For Residents of the UK & European Union

UK & European Unions residents only require a PCR test with 72 hour prior to arrival or Rapid Anti-gen test 48 hours prior to arrival

Villa rental agencies and hotels are tasked by the local government with collecting this proof of vaccination from their clients prior to arrival to verify that they meet the requirements for entry. Once a traveler arrives on St Barts they can move about freely, with no restrictions. Villa rental specialist WIMCO has summarized the requirements for entry in its St Barts travel bog.

CDC Lowers St Barts Travel Risk advisory from Level 4 to Level 1, June 7, 2021

In related news, As the COVID-19 situation evolves, the CDC is monitoring COVID-19 risk in destinations around the world and making travel recommendations. On June 7 the CDC issued new guidance on St Barts on June 7, reclassifying it as a level one the lowest level of risk.

Where to Stay in St Barts

Those visiting St Barts this summer would do well to consider renting a private villa. With spacious open-air living areas, fully equipped kitchens and private pools, travelers vacationing for the first time since the pandemic started might find staying private villa the most comfortable option. WIMCO Villas, which has operated in St. Barths for over thirty-five years, confirms that all 360 private villas it represents on the island are open and available to rent.

Most of the top restaurants on the island are open for business this summer including popular beach spots like Nikki Beach, Shellona, Lil Rock and Pearl Beach. For dinner, travelers have a wealth of options including Mayas, Tamarin, Black Ginger, Isola, Ociela and many more. Those seeking after dinner excitement will love Bagatelle, Baz Baz, Modjo and The Sky Bar.

Life on the island has returned to normal, added WIMCO president Stiles Bennet. the Islands highly regarded restaurants are open without restriction, and boutiques in Gustavia and St Jean are operating as usual.

In tandem with renting private villas, from its office on St Barts WIMCO also offers 24/7 concierge service to its clients. Families can feel secure knowing that WIMCO will outfit a villa in advance to make the arrival day less stressful. Their local WIMCO concierge team will provision a villa, deliver take-out, as well as arrange private chefs, whether for seated meals, or to prep for easy self-assembly.

About WIMCO Villas

Recently voted one of the Top Three villa rental companies in the world by the readers of Cond Nast

Traveler magazine, and featured in the New York Times, and on the Today Show, WIMCO offers a selective and personally visited collection of private villas in the Caribbean and Europe. Well-traveled Villa Specialists match clients with the right villa for their preferences and needs, and then arrange every aspect of their trip, including: booking international flights, pre-stocking groceries, and meeting guests at the airport. In addition, they can arrange rental cars, restaurant reservations, and local activities, all supported by itineraries.

WIMCOs portfolio of private villas with concierge service includes properties on eleven Caribbean islands (including St. Barths, Turks & Caicos, and Anguilla), a dozen private island resorts, and Southern Europe (including the Amalfi Coast, St. Tropez, and Mykonos). Browse villas at wimco.com or speak directly with a Villa Specialist at +1 (401) 849-8012.

WIMCO also operates a real estate sales office on St. Barths, with listings ranging from undeveloped land to spacious villa compounds. Inquiries for villa rentals or real estate sales may be sent to info@wimco.com

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St Barts to re-open its borders to vacationers on June 9 - GlobeNewswire

Celebrate World Oceans Day 2021 All Year Round At These Sustainable Luxury Resorts – Forbes

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Since 2008, when the UN General Assembly passed a resolution designating June 8 as World Oceans Day, the date has reminded those around the globe of the vital significance of the ocean: covering some 70% of the planet, it produces at least 50% of the earths oxygen, is home to most of its biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people worldwide.

With 90% of big fish populations now depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, were taking more from the ocean than can be replenishedstark realities that inform this years theme, The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods, and the UNs reassertion of the commitment necessary to achieve its Sustainable Development Goal 14Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resourcesby 2030.

For the following inimitable resorts, conserving and sustainably using the oceans resources has long been a defining mission. By booking them, youll help directly support the crucial rehabilitation of our imperiled seas.

Baros, Maldives

Baros Maldives has been a pioneer of Indian Ocean coral reef conservation and education since its ... [+] debut in 1973.

Since its opening in 1973, BarosMaldivessituated in the North Mal Atoll, just 25 minutes by speedboat from Mal International Airporthas been a pioneer of Indian Oceancoralreefconservationand education, a passion that manifests today in initiatives to improve the condition and biodiversity of its surrounding reefs. This year, Baros introduced coral cubes to encourage coral regeneration. Living coral fragments are attached with reef-safe glue to the plastic-free, reusable cubes and then placed directly on the reef, with the goal of afforesting areas damaged by crashing waves and weather events.

Guests of Baros Maldives can help preserve the region's fragile biodiversity by installing coral ... [+] cubes on damaged segments of surrounding coral reefs.

Guests of Baros can plant their own coral cubes and learn about the surrounding ecosystem. Baros resident marine biologists carefully monitor the cubes as part of the resorts conservation strategy.

If You Go: Rates at Baros Maldives start from $675 per night in a Deluxe Villa on a B&B basis, excluding taxes. For more information, visitbaros.com.

Miavana by Time + Tide, Madagascar

Nestled on a protected island with a full-time environmental team trained in wildlife monitoring and ... [+] reforestation, Miavana's approach to conservation is truly hands-on.

Surrounded by a pristine reef offering superb snorkeling and diving opportunities as well as turtle, whale, and dolphin watching, fly-fishing, and deep-sea fishing beyond the reef, Miavana by Time + Tideis a private-island hotel located on Nosy Ankao, off the northeast coast of Madagascar. With a conservation heritage dating back to 1950, the sustainability-mindedTime + Tide contributes more than $300,000 annually to community, health, education, andwildlife conservation through its Time + Tide Foundation.

Uniquely positioned on a protected island with a full-time environmental team trained in wildlife monitoring and reforestation, Miavana cultivates a truly hands-on approach to conservation. To date, its efforts include monitoring nesting sea turtles on Nosy Ankao, conducting marine and terrestrial biodiversity surveys, seabird ringing and monitoring, and championing a conservation program for crowned lemurs, an endangered species endemic to Madagascar.

If You Go:MavrosSafaris offers journeys to Madagascar from $11,384 per person based on two guests sharing, which includes three nights atMiavana, roundtriphelicopter transfers from Nosy Be, all meals,butler, selected premium wines, top-shelf spirits and bar drinks, laundry, conservation fees,selectshared activities, and roundtrip international flights to Nosy Be.

Islas Secas, Panama

Separated from mainland Panama by 20 miles of pristine ocean, Islas Secas offers guests an idyllic, ... [+] conservation-driven adventure.

Located in the Gulf of Chiriqu,theprivatelyownedIslasSecasseparated from mainland Panama by 20 miles of pristine seais an unrivaled destination for a marine-focused adventure with conservation at the fore. One of Central Americas best-kept secrets, the virtually untouched regionis home to sprawling coral reefs off PanamasruggedPacific coast, pristine beaches, and two vast, protected marine parks teeming with a plethora of underwater fauna and flora.

Designed to exist in seamless harmony with its surroundings, Islas Secas is designated an environmentally preserved protected area under Panamanian law. The privately funded Islas Secas Foundation also partners with conservation organizations to support efforts ranging from mangrove restoration to marine area protection, as well as environmental education in Chiriqu.

If You Go:RatesatIslasSecasstart from $1,500 per Casita, per night on an all-inclusive basis, including all F&B, select activities on and off-island, and road and boat transfers between the city of David Airport andIslasSecas.For more information, visitislassecas.com.

BawahReserve, Indonesia

Indonesia's Bawah Reserve is located in one of the world's most biodiverse marine environments.

An under-the-radar group of six tropical islands in Indonesia's Anambas Archipelago, BawahReserve's protected lagoons and powder-white sandsoffer guests the opportunity to explore this remote paradise while contributing to protecting its future.A pioneer ineco-friendly practices and all-encompassing marine and forest conservation, the plastic-free resort is certified by WWF Signing Blue program (an Indonesia-based WWF conservation initiative) as a five-star destination for responsible marine tourismthe first resort in Indonesia to receive this distinction.

To help protect Bawahs surrounding seas, thereservelaunched theAnambasFoundationin 2018, an independent charity whose goal is to improve the overallecosystem. The foundation works alongside local communities to educate residents about ways to combat the negative impacts of fishing and waste management.In 2020,thefoundation launched new initiatives for mangrove conservation and integrated waste management (IWM) on the surroundingAnambasIslands. Guests can also spend time with Bawahs expert marine biologists who educate during snorkeling trips and kayaking adventures.

If You Go:Rates at Bawah Reserve start from $1,980 per night for two people on a full board basis including daily spa treatments, laundry, in-room minibar, a host of land and water-based activities. For more information visitbawahreserve.com.

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Celebrate World Oceans Day 2021 All Year Round At These Sustainable Luxury Resorts - Forbes

Why agents need to have villas and private homes in their sights – TTG

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Margot Estate in Corfu features with Luxury Villa Living

With villas, residences at hotels and private high-end home rentals already having been in growth mode before the pandemic, there are now so many great places to be found, whether in typical hot spots that might (eventually) make the green list this summer or more exotic options for future planning, especially for those looking for family reunion and special occasion locations.

With a growing portfolio, including the most recent addition of almost 100 properties around Cannes, onefinestay is more than happy to work with agents, opening up a top-notch little black book in the Cote dAzur for whenever France clears its amber status, and further afield too.

Our villa bookings have held up over the last year, and this year are stronger than ever; we are also seeing our average booking value rise, says Amanda Dyjecinski, chief brand and marketing officer for onefinestay. Services such as a helicopter ride to a private island for lunch and in-villa services such as celebration dinners have also become increasingly popular, as guests still want indulgent experiences, while limiting contact with others.

Seeing the way the market was moving, Relais & Chateaux has just launched a villa portfolio of its own too, presenting 500 villas across 30 countries, from grand palazzos on Mediterranean islands to a cliff-top cabin in Sri Lanka. The range is fully searchable online by destination or holiday interest, such as beachside, private pools, call of the wild or wine lovers. And agents can access the range via a dedicated section of the website, or 24/7 via a call to the global reservations team.

Now, more than ever, our guests value personal space, and our collection of incredible villas can give them confidence and peace of mind without compromising on hospitality, says Philippe Gombert, president of Relais & Chateaux. Our villa guests can expect the same level of refined service as if they were staying in one of our hotels how much they want and when is entirely up to them. This is an essential component of our ability to evolve and thrive as we begin to think beyond the pandemic.

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Why agents need to have villas and private homes in their sights - TTG

Privacy Is the New Luxury: 5 Caribbean Destinations Offering Ultra-Luxe Experiences – Yahoo Finance

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The last year has brought challenges and changes to the travel landscape, particularly luxury, but the concerted efforts and solution-oriented approach that the Caribbean region executed has been incredibly impactful and dynamic as we look ahead, together.

While each island nation has developed unique protocols and strategies to help maintain a healthy and safe lifestyle, the collective region has had a consistency in messaging that can and should be directly linked back to the recent growth in inquiries, web visits and bookings. At The Hartling Group, we already have seen a number of sold out weeks in 2021 and a promising forecast for the summer and fall ahead, a welcome change from 2020 and a positive outlook in travel trends moving forward.

What the Caribbean offers is a diverse collection of exceptionally private escapes that are easily accessible from the U.S., which in the current travel climate, has been highly sought after and in line with what the high net worth traveler is looking for. Travel Age West reported that an American Express survey found 44 percentwere willing to pay more for a hotel where they could easily socially distance and 80 percent of respondents indicated that they were more likely to book a vacation to an uncrowded area or one offering private accommodations. Searches and bookings for private islands and private flights follow this same pattern.

Here are the Caribbean luxury gems that are offering the ultimate in privacy, service and experiences:

The Shore Club Turks & Caicos is the only resort on Long Bay Beach, Providenciales most pristine stretch of oceanfront real estatea less crowded and more discreet location to spend vacation or extended time away. Alongside the 106 guest rooms and suites, four pools, four dining venues, a wellness center and Dune Spa, the six private estate villas are the standout accommodations for exclusive escapes. With private plunge pools, personal beach access, stocked kitchens and even underground tunnel access, the stand-alone villas embody the best of indoor-outdoor living. They are the most sought after in the Caribbean and have hosted celebrities like actress Chrissy Metz and comedian Tracy Morgan. The resort itself offers direct access to the beach and a variety of activities like paddleboarding, kayaking and boat excursions.

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Jade Mountain in St. Lucia is known for its three-walled, open-air sanctuaries that are accessible by private bridges that extend from the main resort. The oversized suites feature private infinity pools, sweeping views of the twin Piton mountains and Caribbean Sea and 24/7 butler service. The resort offers private experiences geared towards relaxation, adventure and cultural exploration, from en suite spa treatments and learning to make signature sweets at the onsite Chocolate Lab to organic farm tours, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving to hiking the Gros Piton with a personal hiking butler who comes equipped with gourmet canaps and cold towels.

Necker Island, located in the British Virgin Islands, has reopened following a two-year closure after its destruction by Hurricane Irma. Stays on Necker Island generally require a full buy-out, which means guests have the entire place to themselves. Guests visiting in 2021 will be among the first to experience the new island following its restoration, including the brand new Bali Hi complex featuring an extended pool and outdoor lounges, as well as private pools in the individual Bali villas. Travelers to Necker get to interact with local wildlife, like lemurs, and can enjoy an abundance of water sports, like snorkeling off the shore.

Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic is a Relais & Chteaux property, located in the high-end gated community of Cap Cana for next level privacy. Perched on a private beach, the property offers travelers an ultra-luxe boutique Caribbean experience. The 30,000-acre luxury resort is home to luxury accommodations (from multi-bed villas with private pools to beachfront suites), several dining destinations that celebrate regional produce, a brand-new spa and wellness experience and family-friendly programming.

The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, located on Paradise Island, Bahamas, is the ultimate destination for those seeking an ultra-luxe and private retreat. Some of the most sought after accommodations include the three- and four-bedroom beachfront villa residences that offer the glamour and luxury for which the resort is known. For an extended stay option, the new Home by The Ocean Club is a home-away-from-home concept designed to embody all the aspects of a luxury home with personalized pre-arrival designs (including family picture frames and decor).

Karen S. Whitt is the VP of Marketing for The Hartling Group (which owns and operates three Turks & Caicos luxury properties). She is also a longtime board member for the Caribbean Travel + Hotel Association and an award-winning former GM.

The post Privacy Is the New Luxury: 5 Caribbean Destinations Offering Ultra-Luxe Experiences appeared first on Worth.

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Privacy Is the New Luxury: 5 Caribbean Destinations Offering Ultra-Luxe Experiences - Yahoo Finance

Be the ruler of your own island on BC’s Sunshine Coast for just over $1 million – BC News – Castanet.net

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Bob Kronbauer/Vancouver is Awesome - Jun 7, 2021 / 10:09 am | Story: 336203

Photo: LandQuest

As the B.C. real estate market continues to heat up and people start to look farther afield for property to invest in, one Lower Mainland real estate company is offering a rural escape that could see you be the owner of your own island.

From tiny parcels of land for $40,000 to semi-remote 10,000-acre cattle ranches, LandQuest Realty bills itself as "The Source' for Oceanfront, Lakefront, Islands, Ranches, Resorts & Land in British Columbia."

Among its listings is a two-and-a-half acre private island a few minutes from Saltery Bay on the Sunshine Coast, just 30 minutes from the town of Powell River.

Listed at $1,089,000, Dragonfly Island has what LandQuest is calling a small "starter cabin" and a dock, and more than enough room for a nicer, more permanent structure.

It has "panoramic seascapes" looking out onto Texada and other islands, as well as lots of trees, including one "beautiful gnarled mature Arbutus tree... found outcropping on the ledge of the south eastern tip bordering this site."

"Presenting various resourceful attributes, the Island's surroundings gift abundant oyster beds, clams, salmon, cod and prawn fishing," the listing adds.

In the heady atmosphere of Vancouver real estate, $1 million puts buyers in teardown territory, making this island an attractive option.

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Be the ruler of your own island on BC's Sunshine Coast for just over $1 million - BC News - Castanet.net

This Riviera-inspired island resort will be the ultimate party hotspot – What’s On

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The incredible island is just a 20-minute boat ride from Dubai

Ever fancied visiting the ultra-chic French Riviera, home to Monaco, Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez, but dont fancy the seven hour-plus flight from the UAE? What if we told you that you could get a slice of all that Mediterranean action on an island just a 20-minute boat ride from Dubai?

Say hello to the Cote dAzur Resort which can be found on the excitingThe Heart of Europe development on The World Islands. This incredible new resort, decked out in no less than 60 hues of the rainbow, is set to be the ultimate new party hotspot when it opens, slated to be later on in 2021.

The resort is set to reflect the vibrant French Riviera port cities, with each 220-room hotel being named after each: Monaco, Nice, Cannes and St Tropez. The hotels will be connected by four lagoon swimming pools which join together to form one gigantic waterway eight times larger than an olympic swimming pool.

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Youll reach the resort by boat, where youll walk up a wooden pier to be greeted with arrival drinks, reminiscent of the signature arrival to the Maldives. An expansive golden beach stretches out ahead of you, dotted with blue and green deck chairs, with the brightly coloured hotels beyond.

The five-star resort will boast six stunning restaurants (including a luxury champagne and piano bar), a pool and beach club, with fiveswimming pools on the sea front, including private pools, luxury beach cabanas, entertainment area and games room, fitness facilities and a squash court.

The World Islands is a one-of-a-kind project, and one developed in line with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubais vision for the future of Dubais tourism sector. A large part of this development is The Heart of Europe a Dhs18.3 billion fully sustainable project comprising of seven distinct islands.

Keep this one on your radar its going to be big

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This Riviera-inspired island resort will be the ultimate party hotspot - What's On

The Impact of an All NOVA Democratic Ticket This Fall – WVTF

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Democrats are heading into the fall campaign cycle with a ticket full of northern Virginia candidates.

Michael Pope reports that might shape the election dynamics.

Now that Democrats have their candidates for the fall election, Republicans are boasting that they have the most diverse statewide ticket in Virginia history. The GOP ticket includes candidates from Hampton Roads and northern Virginia, as well as a Black woman and a son of Cuban immigrants.

But David Ramadan at George Mason University's Schar School says Republicans have lost the ability to invoke identity politics.

"That would sell if the Republicans were not selling white supremacy and were not selling white nationalism," Ramadan says. "Minorities are not going to vote for Republicans period because of what they saw in the last 10 years."

Democratic strategist Ben Tribbett says Democrats will be facing a problem for the rest of the election cycle. Terry McAuliffe, Hala Ayala and Mark Herring are all from northern Virginia.

"Typically statewide elections tend to be determined in Hampton Roads, and Republicans have one candidate from Hampton Roads but all three have ties to Hampton Roads," Tribbett explains. "And so, they have more geographic balance. I think that's more important than the other diversity that the Republicans are trying to highlight."

Some Democrats say they're worried that Republicans can go across the state and brand them as the party of northern Virginia; potentially costing them votes in key parts of the state.On the other hand, northern Virginias huge population is increasingly influential in elections.

This report, provided byVirginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from theVirginia Education Association.

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The Impact of an All NOVA Democratic Ticket This Fall - WVTF

Rev. William Barber Calls For Restructuring U.S. Policies To Root Out Racism, Poverty – Here And Now

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There are two times in U.S. history when the government saw the mistreatment of Black Americans as something we could no longer tolerate: The First Reconstruction followed the Civil War and the Second Reconstruction was the Civil Rights movement.

For years, Rev. William Barber has been calling for a Third Reconstruction a sweeping effort from the federal government to dismantle racist policies and structures to reimagine American society for the betterment of us all. This idea has gained traction over the last year.

Barber is co-chair of the Poor Peoples Campaign, president of Repairers of the Breach, and author of the book "The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear."

In his work, Barber once posed the question, what is the cost of inequality? In the U.S., 140 million people live in poverty 43% of the nations population, according to the Poor Peoples Campaign.

Barber believes there's not a scarcity of resources, but a scarcity of political consciousness. The U.S. has the capacity to give Americans health insurance, for example, which would give the country a boost, he says.

We know every time corporations want money, they get the tax cut, he says. But poor and low wealth people get the short end of the stick and it's hurting this nation.

This transformation requires more than a single bill, agenda or political power, though some elements of what Barber pushes for are included in the Biden administrations most recent measures taking on systemic ills.

The Poor People Campaign brought 35 people poor and low wealth folks, public health experts, environmentalists, economists, lawyers to meet with Bidens policy team before the inauguration, Barber says. The group laid out a 14 point plan on establishing justice in order to heal the nation.

Number one, we need living wages, he says. We need health care for all. We need infrastructure that's targeted toward poor and low wealth communities and infrastructure that addresses climate change. We said we needed restoration of the Voting Rights Act.

Barber is glad to see some of these asks moving forward but questions remain about pushing these policies all the way through. And the campaign doesnt think the dollar amount in Bidens infrastructure bill is enough.

Barber is working with Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Barbara Lee to pass a resolution that would realize at least one goal of the Third Reconstruction ending poverty in the U.S.

The bill explains how to end poverty and why making these investments will benefit the nation in the long run even if it means some deficit spending now, he says. The plan to fully address poverty includes a living wage, universal health care, permanent earned income and child tax credits.

Barber pushed Walmart to embrace an Employee Safety and Wages Initiative. But the company voted against the plan, saying it already has proper health protocols and offers workers two weeks paid leave for COVID-19 related reasons.

Walmarts decision shows why the country needs reconstruction and policy shifts, he says. He believes corporations should pay workers living wages and provide health care because its the right thing to do, both economically and morally, but federal laws are needed to ensure compliance.

He recalls the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think thats pretty important also.

One major part of all of this is the need for bipartisan support in a divided nation. The division stems from, as King said, the ruling classs fear of poor people of all races joining together and using their voting power to change the economic architecture of this nation, Barber says.

A study with Columbia University showed that new low-income voters could flip election results in 15 states.

In his recent op-ed in The New York Times, Barber reminds us that the generation of kids who watched the case of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in 2012 are now adults who are mobilizing this week, which marks the anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

The U.S. cant wait 20 years for this next reconstruction, he says, because our democracy will implode without it.

The solution starts at the state level and requires building multiracial coalitions, he says.

You can't have coalitions of Black folks over here fight for voting rights, white people over here fighting against environmental injustice. They all intersect, he says. And we must deal with interlocking injustices with an intersectional moral fusion coalition.

And Barber believes the coalition is forming. The Poor Peoples Campaign had to make its planned march on Washington virtual last June because of COVID-19 and 2.7 million people tuned in to join the fight, he says.

But it can't be too long because if we don't get a handle on the issues of systemic racism, systemic poverty, ecological devastation, denial of health care and this false moral narrative of white supremacy and religious nationalism, it will undermine this democracy in ways that may not be able to be fixed, he says. The reconstruction must be now.

Ciku Theuri produced and edited this interview for broadcast withJill Ryan.Allison Haganadapted it for the web.

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Rev. William Barber Calls For Restructuring U.S. Policies To Root Out Racism, Poverty - Here And Now

Two Books on the Bizarreness of Texas – The New York Times

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Forget the Alamo divides neatly in half. The first half recounts the events leading up to and through the fiasco at the Alamo, and often reads like a boys story of action and adventure, although there is an absence of heroes in the factual version of the tale. For example, Jim Bowie, the knife-wielding pioneer of legend, is revealed to be a slave trader, a swindler and a murderer; William Barret Buck Travis is a racist syphilitic who writes in his diary that he has bedded 56 women; the coonskin-capped Davy Crockett emerges as a former U.S. congressman and self-promoter in thrall to his own large ego. Their defense of the fort is not just foolhardy, its weirdly suicidal. They can no longer be the holy trinity of Texas, nor can the Alamo be the Shrine of Texas Liberty, the authors proclaim with complete justification, drawing their own Travis-like line in the sand.

The books second half is a more discursive examination of the ways various groups have exploited the myth of the Alamo, weaponizing it as propaganda, as Sam Houston did when he cried out to his troops to remember the Alamo, or invoking the myth in defense of white supremacy, as was the case with Texas History Movies, which was in fact a popular racist comic strip that ran in The Dallas Morning News in the late 1920s; it was later published in book form and for decades distributed free to all Texas seventh graders. Shockingly little serious academic study of this touchy subject occurred until the 1980s.

Predictably, Hollywood played a villainous role in spreading the false narrative of the old fort, notably through John Wayne, who used the subject to indulge in his own hypermasculine version of nationalism. In 1960 Wayne produced, directed and starred in a nearly three-hour $12 million epic called, fittingly, The Alamo, in which he played Davy Crockett. The result was, in Texas parlance, horse pucky and a bomb at the box office. The book ends with an amusing account of the states farcical effort to build a $450 million museum to house a collection of Alamo antiquities compiled by the British pop star Phil Collins that includes an ammo pouch once used by Crockett to load Old Betsy and a Bowie knife, allegedly bought for $1.5 million. The authors make a convincing case that the most important items are of dubious, if not fraudulent, provenance.

In A Single Star and Bloody Knuckles, Bill Minutaglio, a Texas journalist with a saddlebag of books to his name, takes a decade-by-decade look at Texas politics, placing particular emphasis on events at the Statehouse and its succession of unlikely governors, but digressing to include other key players in the story like Sam Rayburn and Barbara Jordan. He begins with General Order No. 3, announcing Emancipation in Galveston at the end of the Civil War, and moves through to the present. Smoothly tackling this near-herculean research task, he keeps the sweat stains from showing and writes in prose as cool as a trout stream.

Texas, from its earliest days, championed a form of swashbuckling free enterprise that minimized the regulatory touch of government. Even today, the Legislature convenes for only a maximum of 140 days every other year. Business oversight and federal interference have been anathema from the outset. In the immediate post-Civil War years, plantation owners pivoted toward sharecropping and a patrn system that turned freed slaves into impoverished indentured servants with no ability to vote. Further crimes against humanity appeared later in the form of the cruel convict-leasing system that was used to build the roads and railroads across the states vast interior. And then big oil gurgles up into the story: A maze of miles of pipes, a metallic Oz of roaring tanks, flares, hoses, storage tanks and train tracks, was growing on the shallow bays and marshes that a few decades earlier had been mostly devoid of human presence, except for the crab collectors and oyster men pushing their flat-bottomed boats past the great blue herons.

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Two Books on the Bizarreness of Texas - The New York Times