The Blue Auction



I am now working with Conservation International in the Raja Ampat (Bird’s Head of Papua) Project. I am developing the Environmental Education Program that will be based onboard a ship and travel around to the villages in the region to do programming. The funding for the Education Program is (*hopefully*) going to be bolstered by an elite event that will be held in Monaco in a couple of days, called The Blue Auction. You can check out The Blue Auction website, and, if you happen to have an extra couple mil lying around, you may just want to consider attending, or bidding!

The Blue Auction is a funky new form of fund-raising; a gala auction event with limited seating. It's not the auction part that is unique or innovative... it's what being auctioned off! The idea behind it is that people can bid for the right to name some of the new species that have been discovered here in Raja Ampat. There are several species of fish, corals, and even a shark that walks on his fins! The opening bids have been set well outside my personal budget (from $50,000 up to $500,000 for the shark!!!) It’s all for a good cause – Conservation efforts in one of the world’s last true pristine areas! I’m told that some of the folks that are going to be in attendance are some pretty big names (who obviously aren't making a volunteers stipend like me!). Word is Leonardo DiCapprio (or was it Bono or the Prince of Monaco himself?) has his heart set on naming the ‘walking shark’ (the mascot for our Education Program)!



Unfortunately I myself won’t be in Monaco on Thursday, schmoozing with the rich and famous… I will still be here.

P.S> Happy Birthday Gabs... I would buy the rights to name this species "Pseudanthia Gabriela" in honour of your Birthday, but, well, you understand... I'd have to mortgage the hubby, kids, and home, and since I don't have any of the above, you're stuck with just my bestest wishes! Love you! Here's your pretty pink fairy fish... come for a visit and we'll go diving to look for her!