Some of the participants at the World Conservation Congress took a route that many would consider rather unusual. "Sailing to Barcelona" is an initiative that brought a colorful flotilla of several dozen boats from around the world sailing into the picturesque harbor this weekend.

Their mission: to join the IUCN conference and pass on the message that we can and must protect our seas, oceans and coasts. The boats are not just ordinary sailing vessels. Each is living proof that something can be done to protect the extraordinary environment that covers more than two thirds of the earth. The Living Planet team jumped aboard the French ship Garlaban, as it left the old harbor of Barcelona to join in the parade of boats.