Rhodes graduates Linda Schonknecht and Michael Markovina embarked on a grand adventure to seek out and showcase successful marine conservation initiatives around the world. These gifted young scientists have recently returned from an epic global expedition of conservation and learning.
The expedition, which was deliberately oriented towards positive interventions, also serves as an extensive educational resource. The findings and documentation of this extraordinary endeavour represent an invaluable tool for researchers into marine biology and conservation.
This striking example of innovative, proactive conservation was intelligently carried out to maximise its positive impact on all levels. The journey began and ended in Cape Town and saw the pair traverse Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia in a quest to uncover marine conservation’s success stories and inspire the world.
Markovina is a veteran diver and celebrated marine scientist and these twin passions fuelled his breathtaking pilgrimage of discovery. Schonknecht, whose callings are conservation and photography, headed up the expedition’s film crew.
The team used state-of-the-art equipment to produce quality high-definition video and photographic material.
Schonknecht is an alumnus of Rhodes’ globally acclaimed school of Journalism and Media Studies, and Markovina holds a Masters degree in Icthyology and Fisheries Sciences. The pair, despite their relative youth, have achieved much and have already accumulated considerable international experience.
Schonknecht and Markovina have also previously collaborated in Gabon where they were employed by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
They also give lectures detailing the expedition and their findings to students at both secondary and tertiary level. The project engages with primary school learners via innovative open-ended questionnaires designed to investigate global levels of conservation education.
Written and filmed material from the Marine Expedition is being freely provided for broadcast and publication throughout Africa. This is another of the project’s significant contributions to the fostering of wildlife conservation awareness.
That Rhodes graduates consistently push boundaries and rise to prominence testaments the institution’s ability to produce successful self-driven leaders. The Marine Expedition represents a profound contribution to maritime studies by a pair of enlightened conservationists who are wise - and bold - beyond their years.
For more information visit www.marine-expedition.co.za