Concise Guide to Marine Conservation and Education
Photography courtesy of Dolphin Discovery
Visitors flock to the British Virgin Islands for a temporary taste of paradise. They seek the sand and sun, beautiful scenery, Caribbean culture, and of course, our beautiful ocean.
It is up to us—the residents who are fortunate enough to call the islands our home—to protect our ocean by knowing how to treat our marine life with respect and keep our land and waters clean.
Marine conservation is defined as the protection and preservation of ecosystems in oceans and seas. It focuses on both the restoration of existing damage caused by human impact and works to limit future damage by pollution and other factors which are harmful to these habitats.
For the past three years, Dolphin Discovery on Tortola has been educating the youth through free marine conservation programs which are taught at local schools followed by a an educational visit to the park.
Every month, the programme leaders choose a new topic and collaborate with 15 of their marine biologists in order to make sure the information is accurate and as enriching as possible.
In addition to these classes, they also organise regular beach clean-ups, working in collaboration with the BVI Tourist Board, Conservation and Fisheries Department, and the Agriculture Department.
Did you know?
The BVI is home to lots of areas with mangroves. Mangroves provide valuable nursery areas for juvenile fish and crustaceans and are also an important source of nutrients for the adjacent marine ecosystem. Not only are they important shelters for marine life, but they also help to protect the coastline from serious erosions during tropical cyclones.
What is the importance of marine life?
Marine life is important to the natural food chain, as many animals, both sea and land based, depend on the ocean’s vegetation and creatures as a stable part of their diet in order to live in their natural habitat.
What effects does pollution and disruption have on the ocean?
Over the years, the amount of pollution and destruction to ecosystems has increased drastically within the marine environment. Animals’ natural habitats have become unsuitable for them to live as the temperatures have changed and sources of foods no longer exist in those areas, so they themselves migrate to new locations.
This in turn causes a chain reaction, because as one species vacates an area, those higher in the food chain must relocate to follow them or find new sources of food.
What man-made factors affect the ocean?
Industrial waste: Chemicals and pollutants are often drained into fresh water leading to the sea because of improper waste management systems
Sewage and water waste: Sewage water released into the ocean contains harmful bacteria and chemicals which can cause serious health problems
Mining activities: The elements extracted from mining in the raw form contain chemicals and can increase the amount of toxic elements when mixed with water
Marine dumping: Garbage produced from each household is deposited directly into the water in some countries, not only causing pollution but often direct harm to animals in the sea
Accidental oil leakage: Oil spills pose a huge concern as a large amount of oil from ships enters the sea and does not dissolve in water, posing a threat to marine life
Everyday tips for people to protect our oceans
Mind your carbon footprint by reducing energy use
Make safe and sustainable seafood choices
Use less plastic made products
Help take care of our beaches by doing a 10 min clean-up after yourself when you visit a beach
Don’t buy items that exploit marine life
Support organisations that are working to protect the ocean
Influence change in your community
Travel the ocean responsibly
Read and learn about ocean and marine life
Lauren Charley
Latest posts by Lauren Charley (see all)
- DataLinker – An Innovation to Change Sailing Forever - March 30, 2016
- Caribbean’s Contemporary Man w/ Marco’s Men’s Clothier - March 30, 2016
- Weekend at White Bay - February 26, 2016
- Cocktails, music, and a vibe that says PASSION - February 26, 2016
- Kokomo – Living the Life by the Sea - February 26, 2016
