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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 part can end overfishing and protect the seas from future overfishing. Try reducing your impact with these easy steps:
- Get informed. Know 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. You can get your Omega-3 acids from other sources 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.
- 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! There are several alternatives on the market for your pet to eat sustainably too! Try RottLover.com or Breeder's Choice.
- Donate. You can support organizations such as Oceans Alive, an organization that promotes eating smart and preserving our oceans; Greenpeace; 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"; the Monterey Bay Aquarium to fund world-class research and education; and the Recreational Fishing Alliance, which lobbies for sustainable fishing and the continued tradition of recreational fishing.
- Buy a cool t-shirt. Go to Save the Fish to buy a shirt that benefits the RFA, which fights for sustainability and marine fishery jobs.
- 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.
Sites to Keep You Informed
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
- This site allows you to make smart choices when purchasing seafood: print out a pocket-size guide for your region of the U.S. The Aqaurium site also has information on conservation efforts and why sustainable fisheries are important.
- European Commission on Fisheries
- This EU site provides the facts about member states' fisheries as well as current policies of the Union. Watch videos, listen to speeches, and read press releases from one of the most progressive legislative bodies on the issue of the world fishery.
- Oceans and Law of the Sea
- All UN regulations, current and currently debated law can be found here.
- National Marine Fish Service
- Interested in what the U.S. government is doing to save the oceans? This NOAA site has all the latest developments, as well as the current plans underway to push the United States towards a sustainable fishery.
- Case Studies on World Fisheries
- View the basics about fisheries around the world: everything from fish consumption and trade to marine protected areas and aquaculture endeavors.
- Fish for the Future Foundation
- This NGO provides a forum for fishermen, officials, and everyday activists to discuss policy and the future of our oceans. Fish for the Future is also partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for their annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards.
- Greenpeace: Defending Our Oceans
- Ever wondered if pirates really exist? Or if your can of tuna could be threatening an entire ecosystem? Here you can learn all about the threats facing the oceans and the fishing industry.
- Greenpeace Forum: Louder Than Words
- Exchange your ideas about the environment with others!
- Oceans Alive
- Oceans Alive is an integrated resource for concerned advocates of our oceans: the site gives tips on how to reduce your impact and join the cause.
- Also, check out their list of The Best & Worst Seafood Choices.
- The Ad Council's Oceans Awareness Campaign
- The Ad Council has been trying to reach the American public and children through a series of PSAs featuring The Little Mermaid's Ariel. The campaign has launched several commercials, as well as a site for children and their parents to learn more about what they can do to Keep the Oceans Clean.
- Blue Ocean Institute: Guide to Ocean Friendly Fish
- Learn what species of fish shouldn't be on the menu: here you can find an easy-to-use colorcoded list of fish that are swimming towards the endangered species list, as well as fish that have been found unsafe to consume.
- Ocean Legacy
- Take the Pledge to Conserve the Oceans! You can become an ocean's activist and learn the facts about overfishing.
- The Pew Oceans Commission
- The Commission released a report in 2003 with recommendations for how the U.S. Government could manage America's marine environment. You can also register for email updates on the Pew Commission's findings.
- No Fish In My Dish!
- "My idea is simple, even childish,
but for five days a week say, 'No fish in my dish!'
The fish will have time to have babies and then,
slowly the oceans will fill up again."
- "My idea is simple, even childish,
Interactive Sites for Everyone
- Blue Planet "Seas of Life" Quiz
- Put your new ocean knowledge to the test! The Discovery Channel's series Blue Planet explores the depths of the most mysterious regions on earth.
- Keep Oceans Clean! Game
- A fun game for kids of all ages
- Oceans Alive
- Take an underwater knowledge quiz or view a slideshow of breathtaking marine scenes!
Works Cited (other than links)
Sandon, L. (2007). Eat Q&A. Nickelodeon's Parent's Connect. Retrieved November 16, 2007, from http://www.parentsconnect.com/questions/nutrition_fish_alternatives.jhtml.