The oceans have always provided inspiration for countless generations. How often do we watch/read something to do with the ocean? Pirates of the Caribbean, The Life of Pi just to name two! I know here in dear ol' Blighty the typical Friday night meal is a trip down to the local chippy (Translation: The fish and chip shop).
In short, we take our oceans for granted. We use its bountiful resources without thought of where it came from. Fish meals are just as common as ones that contain commercially reared livestock like beef or lamb.
And yet the amount of regulation to ensure all of this is available for the years to come? Not enough, that's for sure. There is plenty of agricultural regulation to protect the country side (including, but not limited to creating natural hedgerows for the preservation of indigenous species like the hedgehog), but not enough to protect the fisheries industry (by-catch anyone?).
Here are three little known NGOs trying to change this sorry situation:
1. BLOOM Association
Set up in 2005 by Claire Nouvioan in Paris, BLOOM focuses on the unseen damage made by deep sea trawlers on our ocean floors, as well as greater protection for the often misrepresented beauties: sharks.
In order to protect our oceans, BLOOM believes in 4 key strategies:
- Changing policies, and Private/Industrial practices
- Changing Consumer habits
- Educating the public, especially children and future decision makers
- Conducting independent research into fisheries and fishstocks
Want to get involved?
Click here to visit their website!
2. Project Seahorse Foundation
Although Project Seahorse is a very important organisation, dedicated to the protection of many marine species and habitats, they are very little known! I myself only came into contact with such a remarkable project through eating a box of my favourite chocolates, Guylian Chocolate Shells, yum! Never the less, the work done on a global scale, led by Drs Amanda Vincent and Heather Koldewey is vital to the protection of our fragile seas.
They have, to name but two, developed research and management options for the protection of seahorse populations and habitats, and created marine protected areas and protocols for the conservation of multiple marine species.
There website, where you can get involved in their schemes, as well as donate to their cause is here.
In short, we take our oceans for granted. We use its bountiful resources without thought of where it came from. Fish meals are just as common as ones that contain commercially reared livestock like beef or lamb.
And yet the amount of regulation to ensure all of this is available for the years to come? Not enough, that's for sure. There is plenty of agricultural regulation to protect the country side (including, but not limited to creating natural hedgerows for the preservation of indigenous species like the hedgehog), but not enough to protect the fisheries industry (by-catch anyone?).
Here are three little known NGOs trying to change this sorry situation:
Set up in 2005 by Claire Nouvioan in Paris, BLOOM focuses on the unseen damage made by deep sea trawlers on our ocean floors, as well as greater protection for the often misrepresented beauties: sharks.
In order to protect our oceans, BLOOM believes in 4 key strategies:
- Changing policies, and Private/Industrial practices
- Changing Consumer habits
- Educating the public, especially children and future decision makers
- Conducting independent research into fisheries and fishstocks
Want to get involved?
Click here to visit their website!
Although Project Seahorse is a very important organisation, dedicated to the protection of many marine species and habitats, they are very little known! I myself only came into contact with such a remarkable project through eating a box of my favourite chocolates, Guylian Chocolate Shells, yum! Never the less, the work done on a global scale, led by Drs Amanda Vincent and Heather Koldewey is vital to the protection of our fragile seas.
They have, to name but two, developed research and management options for the protection of seahorse populations and habitats, and created marine protected areas and protocols for the conservation of multiple marine species.
There website, where you can get involved in their schemes, as well as donate to their cause is here.
3. EarthEcho International
EarthEcho is probably the most well known of the three, as
you might recognise one of the founders: Environmentalist and Grandson of
Conservation Pioneer Jacques Cousteau, Philippe Cousteau.
EarthEcho aims to build upon the strong foundations laid by
the Cousteau name, through many projects; some conventional and some quite
original.
Aside from the beach cleanups and other traditional forms of
conservation, EarthEcho have set up the STREAM project. Set up in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon
Disaster, this project aims to get young people like students involved in
conservation work through reporting on any environmental news that they want to
share with the wider world.
To find out more about the various work EarthEcho is
involved in, as well as to get involved with one of their many projects, visit
here.
