OCEANS EIGHT is my long-term project, a series of expeditions to explore the world's oceans from the seat of a sea kayak. Used as both transportation and as floating ambassadors, sea kayaks allow me and my teams - comprised of some of the world's best photographers, filmmakers, scientists and navigators - to reach corners of the world rarely seen...

No greater resource exists on the planet than the salty blue-water that covers 80 percent of the globe. Utilized for food, transportation and energy, the oceans are one of the greatest influencers of the world's weather and how societies ebb and boom along its shores. Around the planet more than three billion people depend on the surrounding seas.

I began the project in 1999, with the dream of visiting each of the seven continents, plus Oceania, by 2007. Supported by the National Geographic Expeditions Council, the initial seven adventures have already taken us to the heart of the Aleutian Islands, down the coast of Vietnam, through the Tuamotu Atolls in French Polynesia, across the high plains of Bolivia/Chile/Argentina, and up the wild coastline of Gabon in West Africa. We explored Croatia's Dalmation Coast, and, most recently, we paid a visit to Tasmania in February 2006. We have just completed the final expedition in the 10-year-long project, along the Antarctic Peninsula - ANTARCTICA 2008. Visit www.jonbowermaster.com for more information on each adventure.

In the coming months, between major expeditions I'll be reporting in from my global wanderings. As always with our various OCEANS 8 projects the main focus will be exploring the lives of people met along the route, how things are going in their corner of the world, with a focus on the environment.

First up, during July we travel up the coastline of North Africa, from Gambia to Morocco. Dispatches to follow every other day or so... please tune in! www.jonbowermaster.com