Ways to Save the Ocean

For many of us, we don't live near the ocean and we think there is no way we can make a difference. It's simply not true. There are so many ways that every one of us can make a difference. We asked our fans to help us come up with ways that we can make a difference. Here are some of the responses.

Reduce Your Use of Plastics

Plastic degrades extremely slowly. I'm sure many of you have heard about the Giant Garbage Patch, in the middle of the North Pacific gyre. This is an area about the size of Texas that has small bits of floating plastic from our waste. Yikes! (Lucy Marcus made a video about this garbage patch).

Always cut up plastic-ringed holders

I'm sure we've all seen images of turtles or seals with their heads caught in plastic intended to hold a six-pack of soda together. Because we never really know where the plastic will end up after we throw it away, it's a good habit to cut up those plastic pieces before they go in the trash

Eat Sustainable Seafood

Fishermen get fish for market based on demand. If we demand it, they'll try harder and harder to get it for us. That means, we can vote, every time we go to the store. We need to tell them to take the fish that are plentiful and that recover quickly. The problem for most of us is that we just don't now what seafood to eat. Scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium are helping us with this by publishing Seafood Watch. Here is a quick look at the best fish to watch. Go to their site to download the official form.

Participate in Trash Cleanups

Trash that enters the ocean is one of the biggest problems for marine animals. Most of the trash comes from roadside waste that enters drainage ditches and eventually makes its way to rivers and oceans. If you see trash, pick it up.

Vote for People that Support the Ocean

There are relatively few people that make the laws that protect the ocean. Our job as citizens is to vote for people that will make good laws. Once the laws are in place, officials have a starting place to enforce sustainable ocean policies.

Learn as Much as You Can About the Ocean!

The more you know, the more you're going to care. Do you even now if the coastline near you is recovering or in decline? Do you know which species of fish are invasive and which are in need of help? Do you know what fishing activities happen off your beach? The answers may be good news, or they may shock you. However, before you jump on a bandwagon, you need to get the right information.

Don't use so much Fertilizer

The oceans are receiving a lot more nutrients from our activities. While a lot of it can be attributed to agricultural fertilizer runoff, we too can do our small part. Use as little as possible. Eutrophication of the ocean (too much nutrients), causes algal blooms and decreased oxygen levels for fish.

Join an Ocean Conservation Society

Untamed Science is made up of ecogeeks just like you that want to make a difference in the world. We'll keep you informed about the ocean, but you should also join other conservation groups. The Jacques Cousteau society, Oceana, or the One World Ocean groups are fantastic societies.