A bulletin of current news and island events. With this we can keep up-to-date on all of the important issues and happenings in Maio such as: the transportation problem, the new water plant, cable TV, the long wait for land sales, etc, etc...

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Tremen­dous News - HalcyonAir Flights to Maio and Sal

We would like to inform you that HalcyonAir Airways will start regular flights to Maio Island from Thursday 28th of October 2010.

In the new scheduled there will be four (4) flights a week, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays with possible connections to the islands of Sal, São Vicente, Boavista and Fogo.

Below is the flight timetable:

1. Segunda-feira / Monday
   • (361) 11:05 Praia - Maio 11:25
   • (631) 11:45 Maio - Praia 12:05
2. Quinta-feira / Thursday
   • (361) 14:00 Praia - Maio 14:20
   • (631) 14:50 Maio - Praia 15:10
3. Sexta-feira / Friday
   • (361) 16:35 Praia - Maio 16:55
   • (631) 17:25 Maio - Praia 17:45
4. Domingo / Sunday
   • (161) 07:30 Sal - Maio 08:05
   • (631) 08:35 Maio - Praia 08:55
5.  
   • (361) 16:30 Praia - Maio 16:50
   • (611) 17:20 Maio - Sal 18:00

With the new flights to Maio the access to the island will be considerably improved.

ED:
Best news for Maio in a long time...

Sea and Land Species found in Cape Verde

A nice collection of images and videos of sea and land species found in Cape Verde:

ARKive - images of life on earth

United Nations Projects on Ilha do Maio, Cape Verde

In the field: Cape Verde making its way for the Sustainability of the Environment / Making the difference in shaping the minds and the actions of the people

Cape Verde has been recognized as a global hotspot for terrestrial and marine biodiversity and United Nations in Cape Verde is actively involved in promoting environmental sustainability for the people and its' future generations of Cape Verde. On the island of Maio, two projects funded by GEF Small Grants Programme, are making the difference in shaping the minds and actions of the people.

"Marine Turtles Protection" is the first turtle conservation project in the history of the island involving the active participation of local communities and fishermen to protect Loggerhead Turtles. The project enables 17 fishermen and local people to be employed to patrol the beaches from June to October for the nesting and the hatchlings of the turtles. The local youth are also taking part in the conservation project by visiting the project sites and learning about the life cycle of the turtles and the eco-system of the island. The youth also had the opportunity to share their findings by organizing a theater performance at the municipality's festivals. Theater is relatively new to Maio and the play combined traditional story-telling techniques with an emphasis of turtle conservation and the importance of preserving the natural environment.

This is a positive change in the increased awareness of the people where before, the hunting of turtles for their meat and eggs was common practice across the islands and egg predation by humans and other predators, had almost wiped out the breeding turtle population of the island.The project is also in alignment with Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP), a national government policy priority, which is also linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The project is really a local-to-global contribution.

"Revitalizing the Porto Ingles Wetlands" is also a unique cooperative project,empowering 70local women working in salt extraction. Porto Ingles Wetlands include the largest «salina» in Cape Verde with a heritage of salt extraction since the late 16th century. The entire salt production process in Maio is managed and operated by local women, and these women are proud and motivated in further improving their professional skills by actively participating in a technical exchange program to increase salt production with women from similar projects in Guinea Bissau, West Africa.The UN in Cape Verde will continue work with the Government, civil society, private sector, development partners, and families to promote sustainable development. After all, the women in Porto Ingles Wetlands have definitely illustrated that by working together and sharing experiences, they are not only helping each other to enhance the quality of life for themselves, but also are contributing to the lives of the people in Cape Verde and it's neighbouring countries.

In addition,the project not only promotes sustainable traditional livelihoods of these women, it also promotes biodiversity by protecting and re-vitalizing the wetlands. The wetland attracts a wide variety of birds,including endemic species, for breeding and feeding.A protected fence is scheduled to be built to preserve and to develop this area as a natural reserve to incorporate eco-tourism as a unique bird-watching site in Cape Verde. The flocks of flamingo can also be observed when visiting the Porto Ingles Wetlands.

Both projects, while aimed at issues related to MDG7, (Ensure Environmental Sustainability), have the added benefits of addressing poverty eradication and other MDG1 targets. The UN in Cape Verde and GEF Small Grants Programme continue to be committed to promoting sustainable livelihoods of the people by protecting the environment and utilizing the natural resources.

* Reported and photos taken by Masakazu Shibata (OUNF&P Communication Officer) except group photo of "Marine Turtles Protection" project provided by Tony Melo (Biosfera I)

Portuguese consortium carries out construction work on port of Praia, Cape Verde

Praia, Cape Verde, 15 Oct – A consortium of three Portuguese construction companies is already carrying out the second phase of work to expand and modernise the port of Praia, worth 72 million euros, following conclusion of the first part of the project Thursday.

The contract was signed at the end of August and the work by Somague, MSF Engenharia and Etermar began in September, and is due to be finished within 30 months.

The second phase – the first officially finished Thursday and was funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) with US$53 million - covers refurbishment of the existing dock, construction of a protective mantle for the container park and a 234 metre-long breakwater.

The project also includes extending the number 1 dock to around 450 metres, in order to make it possible for two container ships to manoeuvre more easily at the same time, regardless of movement of fuel ships at the end of the dock.

Dredging of the manoeuvre basin and installation of a navigational support system, as well as construction of the container park, are also part of the work now contracted.

The project to modernise and expand the port of Praia aims for the facility to have traffic of some 2 million tons of goods in 2030. (macauhub)

DAMEN delivers first-ever newbuild fast ferry to Cape Verde

Singapore, October 22

Cape Verde marked an important milestone in its history as the ten-island state sees the official inauguration of its first-ever, newbuild fast ferry. The “Kriola”, a DAMEN Fast Ferry 4512, literally represents a lifeline to Cape Verdeans.

DAMEN Regional Director, Friso Visser, commented: “We are very proud to have been chosen to partner with Cape Verde in this unique project and to be able to answer the exact needs of the owner, Cabo Verde Fast Ferry.”

The Dutch shipbuilding group, headquartered in Gorinchem in the Netherlands, is especially delighted to have managed to build the new ro-ro ferry in less than one year and to have even delivered it weeks earlier than planned.

Kriola is expected to enter service by the end of the year and a second sister vessel, the Liberdadi, is due to be delivered early 2011. Other vessels may follow in the future to boost Cape Verde’s sea transportation connectivity.

As well as being the country’s first new fast ferry, the vessel was also funded in a unique way. Cabo Verde Fast Ferry carried out the country’s first Initial Public Offering (IPO) to raise the funds needed. Cape Verdeans were so keen to buy bonds that the IPO resulted in one of the highest stock exchange participations ever.

The Kriola can accommodate 164 passengers and 65 tonnes of cargo and was built at DAMEN Shipyards Singapore, a yard known for its quality aluminium fast ferries, patrol boats, crew suppliers and workboats.

Cabo Verde Fast Ferry President, Andy Andrade, outlined the importance of the new vessel to the islanders.

Cape Verde has always been somewhat isolated because of its position in the middle of the Atlantic but this is particularly worse for the outlying island of Brava, explained Mr. Andrade.
“Often transportation is only carried out on an ad-hoc basis because the waters are subject to many currents, substantial wave heights and very windy conditions. Safe, reliable transportation to the islands was a key priority.”

Cabo Verde Fast Ferry company contacted several yards, both in Europe and the US, Mr. Andrade stressed: “Our new vessels had to be very specific for Cape Verde. It was only DAMEN that took the time to actually look at the specific needs of Cape Verde.”

Seakeeping ability was crucial and the vessel had to be able to support the business plan, so facilitate the right mix of passengers/cargo, comfort levels, fuel consumption and operational costs weight into the design factors.

The DAMEN 4512 also appealed because it could offer a very fast turnaround in port because the vessel is very compact. To achieve the same operational profile, a comparable German-built vessel operating between the islands is 68 meters - a considerable increase on the 45 m length of the DAMEN Fast Ferry.

Another high priority request from CVFF was a ferry that had to be able to serve the four southern islands in a day before travelling back to its home port in Brava for the night. Therefore, it needed to achieve speeds of 18-22 knots.

“These two vessels will really bring maritime transportation into the 21st century,” company executives emphasized. They are certain that as soon as the Kriola arrives it will stimulate travel and it will give a boost to the economy. The DAMEN Fast Ferry will not only make it easier for foreign tourism but also internal tourism between the islands. Workers and students travelling will also benefit from the new ferries, added Andy.

Established in 1927, DAMEN now has more than 30 shipyards worldwide and employs 6,700 people. In 2009, the company had a turnover of E1.4bn. DAMEN has an extremely varied portfolio, specialising in fast ferries, tugs, workboats, patrol craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, mega yachts and naval vessels.

DAMEN has been a pioneer of modular shipbuilding based on standardised designs. Introduced in 1969 by DAMEN Chairman, Kommer Damen, this technique gives the yard the ability to offer well-proven vessels, very short delivery times and competitive prices.

In addition to newbuild construction, DAMEN is involved in maintenance and repair activities and a wide range of associated maritime services.