The book, edited by Dr. Greg S. Stone, Senior Vice President at the New England Aquarium and Executive Vice President and Chief Ocean Scientist at Conservation
International, and Dr. David
Obura, Adjunct Senior Scientist at New England Aquarium, tells the story of how
they used cutting-edge science and developed innovative partnerships between
conservationists, business interests, and governments to succeed in
establishing the marine protected area.
“David and I want readers to see what we saw on our first
dive in the Phoenix Islands – specifically that diving here is what it would
have been like to dive in the ocean thousands of years ago,” Stone said. “We
also want the story of PIPA to spread so it can inspire others to take charge
as stewards of their own particular set of ocean.”
“What we see in the Phoenix Islands was hope,” Obura said.
“While other parts of the ocean suffered the Phoenix Islands were supporting
healthy corals and abundant fish populations and we are determined to keep it
that way. It has been no easy task and the story isn’t over.”
In Underwater Eden, over 80 photographs by renowned
underwater photographers, like Aquarium Explorer in Residence and an award-winning National Geographic Magazine photographer Brian
Skerry, take readers underneath the
surface of this central Pacific jewel and reveal the biodiversity that supports the food security, climate security, health and
livelihoods of people.
All of the proceeds from the sale of Underwater Eden: Saving
the Last Coral Wilderness on Earth will go to the PIPA Trust for the continued
growth and maintenance of the protected area. Contributing authors include
Curator of Fishes Steven L. Bailey, Associate Scientist Dr. Randi D. Rotjan, and
Vice President of Conservation Heather Tausig.
“From the air, the Phoenix Islands are tiny, low, remote,
easily overlooked scraps of land in the Pacific Ocean. Underwater, they are the
ocean’s equivalent of Amazon rainforests, teeming with tropical corals, fish,
and sharks. But those species are under increasing assault from fishing boats,
climate change, and introduced species. This remarkable book tells the story of
ongoing imaginative efforts to create a huge protected area in a biological
treasure-house.”
Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Germs, and Steel
“Underwater Eden tells the story of how a very small group
of exceptionally passionate people can—and did—accomplish something truly
spectacular. They worked for years to protect the last virgin chain of
unexplored coral reef islands in the world. It’s a story of tremendous vision
and dedication. And success.”
Carl Safina, author of Song for the Blue Ocean
“If you have a passion for the oceans and care about
conservation, read this remarkable book on innovative research, exploration and
the preservation of a vast remote coral archipelago in the South Pacific.”
Harrison Ford, actor and vice chair of Conservation
International
Click here to learn more, including how to order your copy.
About Phoenix Islands Protected Area Conservation Trust
The Phoenix Islands Protected Area Conservation Trust (PIPA
Trust) is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) established
under the laws of the Republic of Kiribati. Its primary objective is to provide
long-term sustainable financing for the conservation of terrestrial and marine
biodiversity in the Phoenix Islands group. This will allow Kiribati to create
the PIPA for the benefit of future generations of Kiribati citizens and the
world without producing negative impacts on current national expenditures for
health, education, and social welfare.
