Sustainability for Ocean Health

Oceanic Society Guide: Sustainability for Ocean Health

1. Choose sustainable fished or farmed seafood. Not all seafood is created equal. For information on ocean-friendly seafood, visit the Seafood Choices Alliance at www.seafoodchoices.org

2. Buy Local Products. The food on your plate has traveled, on average, 1,500 miles. Support local farmers and fishers, and help reduce global warming caused by emissions from food transportation. Eating local supports your community's economy and our global ecosystem. http://seastheday.theoceanproject.org

3. Be Trash-Conscious. Recycling is one way to maintain a healthy ocean, but it’s also important to be knowledgeable about what you throw away. For instance, flushing non-biodegradable products can damage the sewage treatment process and end up littering beaches and waters. For other tips on safe trash disposal, visit http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/ or http://www.obviously.com/recycle/.

4. Be Considerate of Ocean Wildlife. Our trash can damage or kill ocean wildlife easily, but it is easy to prevent these tragedies. Never dispose of fishing line or nets in the water. Don't release helium balloons outside. Minimize your use of Styrofoam. Cut open plastic six-pack rings that can entangle ocean life.

5. Reduce Household Toxins. By using natural fertilizer, phosphate-free detergents and non-toxic cleaning products, you can ensure a healthier ocean and a cleaner overall environment. For more ideas on reducing pollution, see http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/safe-fs.html.

6. Reduce Run-Off. It's easy to avoid contributing to nonpoint source pollution! Put trash in the can instead of the gutter. Use soap sparingly when washing your car. If you must use chemicals on your lawn, don't spray on a windy day or when rain is expected. And scoop pet waste – an estimated 15 tons of pet waste flows into ocean waters every day! Other ways to reduce your run-off can be found at http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/whatudo.html.

7. Join NRDC/use their resources. You can help secure the changes that will stop global warming by joining NRDC, one of the most effective environmental groups in the country. Combine your voice with hundreds of thousands of others, visit their green living pages. www.nrdc.org.

8. Support or volunteer for the oceans.

Find a local, small, non-profit organization working to save the oceans and ocean life, and get involved. That way you will learn more about the problems the ocean faces, and can become a more effective part of the solution. For international volunteer opportunities: see www.oceanicsociety.org.