Business North November 2021

104 | Carino Wildlife Cruises TOURISM Business pivots to the benefit of youth T T Karen Phelps L ocal tourism operator Carino Wildlife Cruises has been just as negatively im- pacted by Covid-19 as many others in the industry. But Vanessa McKay who owns the company with father Bruce has found a way to see a silver lining. She’s started a trust, which takes children and young people out on the water in her boat so they can learn about endangered wildlife in the Bay of Islands. The focus of the Carino Marine Explorer Activity is to bring awareness to the declining population of the Bottlenose dolphins in the Bay of Islands and what can be done to stop the decline. It’s a no profit venture for her business, which donates its time and vessel, but it has brought many benefits including Carino winning a 2021 Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Award 2021Award. “We are passionate about our environment and helping to protect wildlife for the future. We knew that our vessel would not be booked every day due to the pandemic so it was a great opportunity to use our yacht to give back to our community, through education of the local children,” explains Vanessa. “An education program that helps local kids to become kaitiaki for the Bay of Islands fits well with our values.” The Carino Marine Explorer Activity pro - motes hands on learning and Vanessa says that the trips have helped Northland kids, some of whom have never been on the water in the Bay of Islands before, to consider the marine environment around them and how it is all related. As testament to the impact nearly 30 children submitted to back the pro- posed Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands) Marine Mammal Sanctuary. “Basically we want local kids to experience something that is outside of their day-to-day life and maybe to push some boundaries or consider a career on the ocean in working on boats to marine or wildlife conservation. There is so much wildlife on the brink of ex - tinction here in New Zealand and worldwide.” Carino Wildlife Cruises has established its business as a responsible eco tourism operator. The company voluntarily stopped swimming with the dolphins on tours before it was officially prohibited in the area. Vanessa says that the pandemic has been difficult to navigate: “We had a lot of forward bookings cancel when the pandemic hit. I didn’t want to turn my computer on in the morning. It was pretty depressing. The Carino Marine Explorer Activity has been really good for my mental health as well as that of the children going on it because it’s such a nice positive thing to do for the community and the environment. And winning the award was a real boost in a tough couple of years.” She is also grateful to the New Zealand public who have really got behind the cam- paign to support local businesses through the pandemic. Although it’s not enough to offset the lack of overseas tourists it has made a difference. Carino Wildlife Cruises is getting ready for its 2021/22 season and will be out taking its popular island and wildlife day cruise in the Bay of Islands, from October to Easter. On the cruise people can spot dolphins, penguins and seabirds in their natural habitat and stop over at a nature reserve island for an hour or so of exploration and snorkeling. A percentage of each of each customer’s fare is gifted to the Carino marine explorer program to the Be the Change Fund. Vanessa is seeking sponsorship and donations. The project will continue to draw on the participation of a range of volunteers and supporters and has received assistance from marine biologists at the Trioceans Research, local education institutions, Department of Conservation and local enthusiastic support- ers. “We have several companies and individuals willing to sponsor more trips out with kids and we hope to create an on-going relationship with local community groups and hapu that will help lead to a cruise at least once a month. “We have also created a Carino Marine Explorer Club where we will email updates to our new explorers. “Our aim is for this program to last because we are dedicated to creating responsible ma- rine wildlife watching in the Bay of islands for future generations.” “We knew that our vessel would not be booked every day due to the pandemic so it was a great opportunity to use our yacht to give back to our community, through education of the local children.” Carino Marine Explorer Activity takes young people out on the water so they can learn about endangered wildlife in the Bay of Islands.