World Ocean Day is this June 8th - ten days before Summer Sailstice. Our ocean health partner, Sailors for the Sea, sent in five things you can do for the oceans on World Ocean Day and for Summer Sailstice.
1. Be an advocate for our ocean. One of the biggest things you can do for our ocean is to speak up on issues and support policies that protect marine habitats and wildlife. Whether it’s at the local level or a nationwide policy change, everything matters and has the potential for a positive impact for our ocean and waterways. At Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana, we are involved with campaigns to stop the proliferation of single-use plastics, save the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale from extinction and protect our coasts from dirty offshore drilling. Learn more here.
2. Take someone sailing. If you have a friend or relative who has never been sailing before, bring them out with you! By sharing your love of the water, you might just encourage someone else to become an ocean steward.
3. Adopt Green Boating habits aboard. There are many things that you can do aboard your boat that can minimize your environmental impact, from choosing ocean-friendly cleaning products to using renewable energy. Sign up to be a Sailors for the Sea Green Boater, and you’ll receive our Green Boating Guide, which is filled with tips and best practices.
4. Practice “plus one” boating. If you’re heading out on your boat, make it a practice to pick up at least one piece of trash in the water or along the shore and properly dispose of it. Spot a balloon in the water? Turn picking it up into a crew-overboard practice drill!
5. Choose sustainable seafood. This impacts not only marine habitats, but also nutrition and income sources for millions of people around the world. Before your next trip to the seafood market, check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® program, which helps consumers choose seafood that's caught or farmed in ways that support healthy oceans, now and for future generations.
By Jennifer Brett
Sailors for the Sea