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What YOU can do to save our oceans
The problems facing the world's oceans can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, you don't have to be a superhero to help save them. Doing your can help protect the seas from overfishing and preserve the ocean ecosystem for the future. Try reducing your impact with these easy steps:
- Get informed. Learn about ocean issues. Find out which species are endangered and which are overfished.
- Eat fewer fish. Consuming fewer fish is the easiest way to reduce your impact on the ocean. There are other more sustainable sources for the nutritional benefits of fish. For instance, Omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, flax seed oil, and fortified products, such as orange juice or pasta (Sandon, 2007).
- Choose sustainable fish, such as wild Alaskan Salmon or farmed Tilapia. The Monterey Bay Aquarium publishes a "Seafood Watch List" that describes which fisheries are sustainable. Eating fish caught in a sustainable manner has less of an impact on the oceans because their populations are large and well managed. A list of sustainable fish retailers in the world, as certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, can be found here.
- Tell your friends. Ideas spread best by word of mouth. Let your friends know that the oceans are in danger; tell them which fish are the best to eat and which ones to avoid. Public awareness is essential to save the oceans.
- Have Pets? Buy them fish-free food! One-third of all fish caught is used for fishmeal or oils, placing an even greater burden on our oceans and the aquaculture industry (Ahmed et al., 2003). There are several alternatives on the market for your pet to eat sustainably too! Try RottLover.com or Breeder's Choice.
- See for yourself. You can visit Marine Sanctuaries across the United States and see what so many people are working to save! Also, check out our page on how Marine Protected Areas are contributing to saving the oceans.
- Donate. You can support organizations such as Oceans Alive, an organization that promotes eating smart and preserving our oceans; Greenpeace: Defending Our Oceans; The Fish for the Future Foundation, which was "established to improve the scientific and economic understanding of U.S. marine fisheries management and the seafood industry"; and the Monterey Bay Aquarium to fund world-class research and education.
- Contact your representative. Let your government representative know that you support efforts to improve sustainable fishing. With your support, congress can pass restrictions on harmful fishing techniques. And don't forget the fish when you vote.
- Talk to restaurants. Convince them to sell only sustainable seafood. Reducing availability of unsustainable fish is a good way to reduce consumption. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has cards you can send to restaurants that help them choose which seafood to serve.
- Become an activist. Gather local support for healthier oceans. Use your group to volunteer at beach clean ups, and to spread the word about overfishing. Volunteering with organizations like Oceans Alive, which is a branch of Environmental Defense, is a great way to get involved on a personal level. You can also receive e-letters from Greenpeace about ways you can get involved.
- Contact the local media. Tell them that you want more coverage about overfishing and the oceans. Local stations run public interest segments---convince the station to shoot a piece about the fishing and ocean.
- Stay informed. Keep up with what is happening in the marine world. Staying up to date lets you know what issues are the most pressing.
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