Conservation
It is in everyone’s interest to protect the natural environment and ensure that growth is sustainable, in other words, making sure that meeting the needs of the present does not compromise the needs of future generations.
Sustainable practice collectively can have a huge positive impact in a very short period of time. As well as our carbon emissions, we have to consider the impact of our anchors, antifoul and waste, creating plastic-free initiatives, with pressure on our suppliers.
Ocean rescue
Working alongside key partners like the Green Blue and RYA sustainability teams, and locally with Plastic Free organisations, the Ocean Conservation Trust, Exeter University and the North Devon Biosphere Reserve to name but a few, we are sharing the workload to increase Ocean Literacy.
We know we have a massive ocean plastic issue and it is having a devastating impact on marine life. It is not only the plastic waste you see fluttering in a tree or at the side of the road, that if it is not collected, it will find its way to a stream, then a river and then the ocean. But also nano particles, and beads, from our antifouls, clothing, furnishings amongst many other sources.
Sealife decline
Warming oceans, shifts in migration patterns, over fishing, collective impact of antifoul particles, noise, sewage, anchors, and generic land based waste that finds it's way into the ocean all has to stop.
But to understand the problem, we must be able to see it. Surface waste is visible, a floating plastic bag, or party balloon, but what about the unseen, particles that can only be seen through a microscope, and that are in such numbers, are more common than grains of sand.
Seagrass - the ocean lungs
Seagrass for example, is perhaps one of the most understated and overlooked components of our ocean’s health; it takes carbon dioxide from the ocean and then stores it within its roots and leaves
Seagrass helps to mitigate climate change by reducing acidification in the ocean. Seagrass also releases oxygen - 10 litres per 1 metre squared every day - so seagrass is literally the lungs of the ocean, the marine rainforest.
Not only is it essential to slow climate change, but it provides an essential nursery for most of the fish species we rely on as our food source.
Ocean Optimism
We are Ocean optimists, As we sail testing and demonstrating new technologies, we are out at sea working closely with out key conservation partners. We are together increasing Ocean Literacy, and optimism, on land and at sea.
There is much to do and creative thinking is required. As a multi-disciplined organisation we are driven to inspire positive change, and provided we give nature the chance, it is incredibly adept at bouncing back.
Our founder runs the research organisation North Devon Marine Project and is an Advocate for the Ocean Conservation Trust.
