Hybrid sailing catamaran integrating renewable energy for sustainable nautical tourism

The Mundo Marino ECO catamaran demonstrates how hybrid propulsion (sail + electric engines), combined with solar panels and hydrogenerators, can significantly reduce emissions in passenger transport and tourism activities. This building block showcases the integration of renewable technologies into a large-capacity (250 pax) vessel, allowing silent navigation, lower fuel dependency, and direct education of tourists on sustainability. It provides a replicable model for coastal operators seeking to align maritime tourism with decarbonisation and marine conservation goals.

 

  • Access to advanced hybrid propulsion technology (Torqeedo Deep Blue).
  • Regulatory frameworks encouraging low-emission vessels.
  • Collaboration with ports providing infrastructure for hybrid/electric operations.
  • Market demand for sustainable tourism experiences.

 

 

  • Hybrid systems require significant initial investment; financial incentives and partnerships are essential.
  • Crew training on renewable systems is critical for smooth operation and passenger engagement.
  • Public communication (e.g., Blue Flag certification, onboard environmental education) increases acceptance and replicability.
  • Maintenance of battery systems and renewable modules requires new skills not always present in traditional shipyards.

 

Catalyzing Additional Resources via Social Engagement and Champions: the Tamaraw Society

To support the crowdfunding campaign, the organization Philippine Parks and Biodiversity launched the Tamaraw Society initiative in July 2020. 

Philippine Parks and Biodiversity is a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to conserving the country's biodiversity through multistakeholder partnerships, ranging from grassroot communities to the private sector. 

The Tamaraw Society consisted of a group of organizations and individuals, mostly from younger generations, who committed to running their own fundraising activities to support the crowdfunding campaign with at least USD 400 each (PHP 20,000 at the time). The 19 participants, referred to as champions, collectively raised USD 7,789 (PHP 389,450). They conducted activities such as online raffles of film cameras, online selling of secondhand clothes, auction of digital artworks, and merchandise sales such as tamaraw tote bags and shirts

A key enabling factor was the pre-existing expertise of the Philippine Parks and Biodiversity in running champion-based initiatives. The NGO had previously called for private sector and individual champions to support its programs as a creative financing method, which helped the implementation and success of the Tamaraw Society initiative. 

A key lesson learned is that creative financing solutions can complement broader strategies, such as crowdfunding, by actively engaging civil society around a shared cause.

Use of traditional and social media as marketing instruments to accelerate awareness rais-ing and resource mobilization

The crowdfunding campaign maintained a strong presence on traditional and social media. Daily posts were tailored to strengthen the business case for donations, highlighting key events such as a tamaraw killed by poachers, Tamaraw Month, and the death of the last captive-bred tamaraw, Kalibasib. By leveraging a mix of media platforms, the campaign reached both national and international audiences and engaged diverse age groups. 

Social media releases on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn were reposted and shared by BIOFIN Global and Philippines (including promoted posts), UNDP Philippines, and various accounts associated with the DENR. Moreover, a national Tamaraw Ambassadors program was launched on social media, engaging public figures to promote the campaign. These communication strategies effectively reached the general public within and beyond the Philippines.

Traditional media also supported the campaign, with coverage from reputable news networks like Stand for Truth and GMA Digital Specials. Press releases and media pick-ups generated an estimated media value of USD 70,000 (PHP 3.4 million) as of September 2020.

Lastly, a promotion email was sent to over 2,000 individuals through the BIOFIN global mailing, targeting a specialized audience of professionals and partners in the biodiversity sector.

 

A key enabling factor was the established presence and reputation of UNDP in the Philippines, along with its partnership with relevant actors such as the DENR. This contributed to the rapid promotion of the campaign across social media, quick engagement of public figures, and the public's trust in the initiative. The donation of USD 4,400 from Congresswomen Josephine Ramirez Sato to kick start the campaign, being the highest contribution, was also key to the solution. 

A key lesson learned is that an effective marketing campaign should leverage multiple media platforms and tailor its messages to engage diverse audiences. While the Tamaraw Ambassadors program likely helped reach younger audiences and heavy social media users, the campaign advertisements in printed media may have been more effective with older audiences. 

The main challenge in the marketing strategy was the inability to produce new on-site photos and videos, given travel restrictions and budget constraints for hiring specialized personnel. This was addressed by creatively using existing materials, such as video clips from the 2019 documentary film Suwag o Suko and photos from the 2018 Biodiversity Camp—an initiative from UNDP-BIOFIN and the TCP that gathered journalists and influencers in the natural habitat of tamaraws to raise awareness about the need to mobilize funds for their protection

Step 3 – Tactical Growth

Step 3 – Tactical Growth

The ROS – Recreation Opportunity Spectrum is a tool that classifies opportunities for tourism and recreation by measuring the degree of intervention across three attributes: Biophysical, Sociocultural, and Management. Based on these indicators, it defines five Classes of Experiences: Pristine, Natural, Semi-natural, Ruralized, and Urbanized.

By combining the vocation of the area with these classes, managers can design a gradient of opportunities, ranging from sites with maximum naturalness, minimal human presence, and very low visitation (Pristine class), to areas with extensive infrastructure, altered landscapes, high accessibility, and strong human interaction (Urbanized class).

Using ROS allows planners to shape the Ecotourism Program by defining:

  1. Zoning
  2. Classes of Experiences
  3. Environments
  4. Activities
  5. Infrastructure
  6. Services
  7. Regulations

This tactical step translates the strategic vision into concrete management choices, ensuring that ecotourism development is diversified, coherent, and aligned with conservation priorities and visitor expectations.

Success of Step 3 depends on having reliable baseline data and a clear strategic vision to guide tactical decisions. Stakeholder participation is crucial to define appropriate classes of experiences and ensure acceptance of zoning and regulations. Technical knowledge of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS), combined with field assessments, helps adapt global standards to local contexts. Institutional support and long-term monitoring are also key to sustain implementation.

The key condition for Step 3 is understanding that the most important factor is the experience you want to provide. Zoning, infrastructure, activities, and services are all defined in relation to this. Success depends on engaging stakeholders to agree on desired experiences, applying the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) with reliable data, and ensuring institutional support and monitoring so that experiences remain authentic, feasible, and sustainable.

Cooperation for the conservation of marine protected areas.

Multisectoral cooperation is promoted for the conservation of marine protected areas, including actions to reduce marine pollution and unsustainable fishing, with a special focus on the Galapagos National Park and the Hermandad Marine Reserve. In 2025, TUNACONS reaffirmed its commitment to protect marine migratory routes and promote sustainable fishing in these key areas, also integrating academia and organizations such as Fundación Jocotoco in conservation actions. Awareness campaigns have been developed to broaden the connection and sense of belonging of diverse communities to these marine areas, transforming distant perceptions into an active commitment to their protection.

Define actions to reduce negative effects of marine pollution and cooperate with processes for sustainable fishing practices within MPAs.

Building processes in cooperation with local fisheries organizations requires time and expertise in fisheries.

Implementation of Codes of Good Practice

A visual and practical guide has been developed, with clear illustrations and little text, designed to facilitate the correct release of non-target species, reduce the risk of infractions, and promote the well-being of both crew members and marine fauna. This tool is constantly updated based on new learning and technical advances, ensuring that fleets have current and accessible information. Its operation is based on continuous training, technical support, and the integration of these practices into the daily routine of fishing operations, thus contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems and compliance with international standards.

Design specialized codes that guide captains and crew of fishing fleets in adopting responsible and sustainable practices.

1) The support and experience of fishermen is important.

2) Implementation takes time

3) Always disseminate crew members' actions.

Multisectoral Collaboration

The purpose is to improve the efficiency and sustainability of fishing activities in the region. A memorandum of understanding with the Galapagos National Park implements the “Caring for Galapagos” initiative, which consists of three lines of action: recovery of EcoFADs, coastal and underwater cleanup activities, and fishery improvement projects. These lines of action are worked in coordination with artisanal fishermen to strengthen the sustainability of their activities. The company also works with Bureo (Net Positiva) in the collection of unused nets: the nets are recycled and, in exchange, an economic compensation is received that is destined for sustainable projects that include communities such as Manta and Posorja. Initiatives such as “Pescando Plásticos”, developed together with FENACOPEC, allow these funds to be channeled towards activities that combine marine conservation and local development.

Generating alliances between fishing organizations, governments, NGOs and industry to encourage participation and commitment to sustainable management.

Build credibility based on results to achieve effective technical cooperation.

Participatory Management, Training and Awareness

It is promoted with the aim of strengthening good practices on board and reducing negative impacts on non-target species. Since 2018, with the support of organizations such as WWF, workshops have been organized for captains and crew members - reaching more than 1,510 people - where key topics such as national regulations, IUU fishing, fishing sanctions, electronic monitoring, traceability, data collection on board, among others, are addressed. These spaces update technical knowledge and allow for direct dialogue with fishermen, fostering the co-creation of solutions. An outstanding example is the design and implementation of an excluder grid for the efficient return of mobulas caught incidentally, which has reduced release time and improved their survival.

Involve the participation and knowledge of vessel owners, fleet managers, captains and crew members in management and conservation strategies, sustainable practices, management of vulnerable species and information for science.

1) Implement appropriate language for training activities. 

2) Use practical materials 

3) Disseminate their actions on the water.

Strengthen on-board monitoring in 100% of the fleet and Data Collection throughout the fleet

It focuses on strengthening the collection of scientific data aboard vessels to improve sustainable fisheries management. Implemented since 2018 as a voluntary program in both larger and smaller fleets, this effort also includes species tagging and monitoring activities in collaboration with the IATTC. As part of the technical strengthening, a specialized manual for onboard observers was developed, with emphasis on accurate species identification and standardized data collection techniques; to date, 21 observers have been trained under this protocol, also supporting compliance with MSC certification. In addition, it is complemented using satellite surveillance technology provided by Global Fishing Watch, which reinforces sustainability and transparency in fishing operations.

Follow IATTC technical standards for data collection on catch of target species with onboard observer program on the dynamics of the smaller fleet, bycatch and ecosystem impacts.

1) Coordinate with captains and crew members.

2) To cooperate with scientific research works.

3) Apply best practices 

4) Manage database for more efficient reporting.

Development of biodegradable and non-meshing Fish aggregating devices (FADs)

It focuses on the innovation and adoption of biodegradable fish aggregating devices, known as EcoFADs, with the aim of reducing bycatch and minimizing the environmental impact of tuna fishing. Since 2017, more than 500 prototypes made from plant fibers such as abaca, which have demonstrated durability of up to 12 months in marine conditions, have been developed and tested. This approach has enabled the replacement of traditional FADs with EcoFADs, with a goal of 20% of member vessels using these biodegradable devices. In addition, TUNACONS collaborates with local communities in the production of these materials, strengthening their economy. Results show that catches remain similar to those obtained with synthetic materials, while reducing marine pollution and the risk of entanglement for non-target species.

1) Involvement of shipowners

2) Research on biodegradable materials

3) Research budget

4) Training

5) Cooperation with CIAT and other organizations

6) Increasing the size of trials

7) Support for regulations in the OROP

1) Collaboration of captains and crew members in at-sea trials is important.

2) Search for materials resistant to ocean conditions and consistency.

3) Controlling the quality of prototypes.

4) Protecting intellectual property.