The ocean is our greatest natural resource!

The citizen’s role in preventing plastic pollution is the most important of all because it is really not plastic polluting, but people. Each individual or group will obviously want to focus on the aspects of the problem which directly concern them or where they feel they can make the most impact. However, the ultimate goal of this campaign is the same: to keep plastic out of the ocean.

At the beach dispose of plastics and other litter in the bins provided. If these facilities are inadequate first contact the local authority responsible and lodge a complaint and then take your litter back home with you and do not leave it on the beach. Pick up any plastic litter you may see on the beach or in rock pools in the vicinity in which you are walking or sitting. Encourage young children to do likewise. Every effort – no matter how small – helps.

Stephanie Dimech

What is conservation?

The idea of conservation has become widely accepted in the last few decades as more and more people become aware of the urgent need to conserve the marine environment. Marine nature conservation is often described as the “Cinderella” of the conservation movement. Conservation on land has always been given priority because the impacts of human activity are highly visible, whereas with the oceans it is a case of “out of sight, out of mind”. What exactly does marine conservation mean to each one of us? For many people, the great whales are the most powerful symbols of marine nature conservation today, whale walks and rallies are frequently used to raise awareness and funds to further the conservation of these magnificent creatures. However, the public is becoming more aware of the impact that human activity has on the marine environment as a whole. Risks of over-fishing, of over-exploitation of resources, of pollution due to contaminants and the possible environmental consequences of run-off from agricultural land all provide headlines in our newspapers and material for documentaries on television.

No longer is conservation just about “saving the whale”, but has broadened to concerns about habitat and ecosystem protection as well as larger environmental issues. As our knowledge of the seas and oceans and the impacts of human activity continues to increase, so too has the challenge and scope of marine conservation.

A simple definition of marine nature conservation is “the protection, maintenance and restoration of marine life, ecosystems and physical features”.

Why conserve?

We all want to survive. To do that we all depend on the earth’s resources for our basic needs. If resources are no longer available, then we are not only threatening our own existence but also that of future generations and the wildlife with which we share this planet. Unfortunately humans have not been looking after the earth’s resources carefully enough. Instead we have been using them without consideration. We are in danger of destroying the natural systems that are providing those significant resources. The time has come when we have got to look at changes in lifestyles because, not only are we gambling with our own survival, but also that of all the other species on earth.

Protecting our oceans

To achieve marine conservation we need to:

• Understand the degree and nature of ecological hazards;

• Be clear about what we hope to achieve (for example, saving endangered species, preventing loss of habitat, or preventing pollution);

• Identify the target of our efforts (for example, whales, mangroves or beaches);

• Decide how we are going to carry out the conservation task (for example, setting up marine protected areas, banning the disposal of sewage to the sea).

Individuals or organisations cannot buy areas of sea

The sea is effectively a “fenceless” environment with the traditional “freedom of the seas” allowing rights of navigation and access to most areas.

Hazards to marine areas often come from diffuse, land-based activities so that potential problems may be difficult to resolve.

It is not easy to see the impact of damaging activities on underwater habitats and species.

Managing and stopping undesirable activities on and in the sea is far more difficult than on land. Contaminants are quickly diluted and dispersed in the sea, but effects might also be wide-ranging or considerably delayed.

Oil in the sea

Deliberate fouling of the sea could be stopped easily. Pollution comes from oil tankers that wash oily sludge from their tankers after delivering a cargo. International laws will ban the dumping of oil within 30 kilometres of land. But offenders are hard to catch.

Load on top

A new method of cleaning tanks is used by big oil companies. It is called “load on top” and does not pollute the sea. The tanks are washed out in turn with the same seawater. The oiled water is kept in a tank where the oil rises to the top. As much water as possible is returned to the sea. The rest is mixed with the next cargo. But some refineries will not accept oil that includes washings. They say it corrodes their pipes.

Valentina Cassar

Through years of misuse, our seas are polluted. Fish and marine life are diminishing rapidly and considerable damage is being done to the seabed and coastal areas. The Mediterranean and Baltic seas are particularly vulnerable due to them being so enclosed. If the sea dies, then so does the tourism, together with a major source of employment and food. The whole world will be affected. Action is needed now to ensure we and future generations can continue to enjoy the sea, the marine life and still obtain food.

Narda Bartolo

How many times do we hear the same thing about the ocean?

Journalists have been writing about it for years… over and over again, trying new and creative ways of writing so they don’t bore readers. News articles for the last 10 years all echo each other. Our ocean eco-systems are in trouble. The world’s marine resources are in crisis. We all want the best for our seas, yet there is obvious and blatant disregard for the environment.

There is less forest, less fish and less clean water. The land and the sea have changed. Someone must be responsible for managing our resources. Areas must be set aside for young fish to grow.

We must act now. They also said that 10 years ago. It all comes down to us preserving, protecting and restoring our resources for future generations. All these resources are renewable. The wildlife will all come back if we nurture it. We must ensure the health of our reefs. A living reef gives our islands life.

Conservation of fisheries habitats is critical. The long-term health of our families and our community is at stake. It is up to each one of us to make sure that our resources are plentiful. Save our seas.

Donna Agius