Dancing Dolphin Journal

Today is an important day for this is World Ocean Day. Most of you are aware that our beautiful ocean is in the midst of a huge crisis with multiple issues threatening it and the many species that make the ocean their home. Sonar, fishing methods, whaling and slaughtering of dolphins, contamination from many sources, overfishing and krill disappearing are some of the major threats that are needed to make a quick turn-around if we are to continue to turn to the ocean for quality food and healthy dolphin and whale familes. Today is a day to celebrate the ocean. Take a break from what you’re doing and send the ocean some love and gratitude today through prayer, meditation or whatever means you employ.

If you feel charitable, a wonderful organization to donate to is Oceana at www.oceana.org. Their motto is Protecting The World’s Oceans.

I have been intrigued with the news story about the new tribe forming on a Fijian Isle. Since authoring the nonfiction book "Dolphin Tribe" in 1993, I have noticed that the word "tribe" has become increasingly popular as I foresaw it would. Thus, this big news story is fascinating to me as I watch history unfold.

For those that might have missed this current news story, let me give you a head’s up: two twenty-something British entrepreneurs decided to cash in on the Survivor television phenomena. They envisioned a 5,000 member online "global tribe" inhabiting and interacting on an idyllic Fijian island. So what did they do? They advertised, of course! They asked for three different membership levels, priced at $220,$440 and $660 a year for those who would want to take up part time residence on this island. The fee would entitle the members to spend one, two or three weeks annually on the island with 100 others at a time. For those that aren’t physically present and are just playing online, they will participate while away from the island as the "headquarters" with voting rights.

The two visionaries, Ben Keene and Mark James, signed a three year lease on a 200-acre Fijian Island called Vorovoro and launched their website: tribewanted.com They have already covered the lease price with the membership fees, and people are clamoring to get in on the action. The tribe is open to anyone 18 and older, and there will be a range of different ages in the tribal mix. Yes, a documentary is in the works called Tribal TV, natch! Stay tuned to watch the action and read more about this tribal experiment. I know I will be!