Protect the Oceans – Overview
Why is it so important to protect the oceans?
Watching the waves for hours and dozing away on the beach or surfing one wave after another in the sea. I’m sure you know these beautiful vacation moments too! It’s simply beautiful – but the oceans and seas are not only beautiful, they are also incredibly important for the ecosystem, nature and us humans. Unfortunately, we are not always aware of this.
71% of the earth is covered by water. This area represents the largest contiguous habitat and is home to an incredible diversity of species. We owe every second breath we take to the sea and yet we do not pay enough attention to protect the oceans and the seas. We humans are constantly littering the sea and biodiversity is declining.
As surfer in particular, you should be aware of how important the water, the oceans and the sea are and pay particular attention to a conscious and sustainable approach to nature. We therefore show you a few measures to protect the oceans.
Measures to protect the oceans
1. Coral friendly sun protection
You probably already know that you need to protect yourself from the strong UV rays when you’re out on the water. However, it is not only important that you protect yourself, but also how! Commercially available sun cream often contains harmful substances such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. Around 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the sea every year. Even the smallest amounts cause corals to die, so you should make sure you use biodegradable sunscreen to protect not only your skin but also the sea.
2. Biodegradable surf wax to protect the oceans
You know it, you love it – the well-known sex wax. But its ecological footprint is not quite so sexy. Surf waxes often contain kerosene, which is not biodegradable and also consumes crude oil in its production. Surf wax therefore decomposes very slowly and is harmful to the environment and animals. When buying surf wax, make sure that it is biodegradable. This means you can stand on your surfboard safely and with a clear conscience! It makes surfing even more fun!
3. Show your commitment to protect the oceans
If we’re honest, we don’t always realize how important it is to protect the oceans. But that’s precisely why it’s so important that you show commitment and try to do your bit. You can do this in different ways. One option is shopping, for example!
In El Cotillo, Lajares and Corralejo you will find a small but very nice stores from the Clean Ocean Project. The organization is committed to protecting the waves, the beach and the ocean. Their principle is that everyone is part of the problem and therefore everyone should be part of the solution. You can take part in Clean Ocean Project projects or store for sustainable products for a good cause, or of course both!
4. Share your knowledge to protect the oceans
One click and your reel can go viral on Instagram. Social media has an enormous influence on what information we perceive. The best example is the 2024 Olympic Games, where the surfing competitions will take place on the paradisiacal wave of Teahupoo.
A new aluminum building is to be erected for the judges in the middle of the coral reef, although there is already a wooden structure there that is adequate for the purpose. This means that parts of the reef are to be destroyed for 3 days of competition, which is simply wrong. Matahi Drollet commented on this in a video, people all over the world shared it and it went viral. This has not only led to more people being informed about the issue, but also to the construction being stopped for the time being and new plans being made to build a smaller tower.
In addition to funny memes, you should also pay attention to these issues. So if you see a post about protecting the oceans, just share it. The more people know about it, the better!
5. Caring for your surf equipment, protect the ocean…
… and your wallet! A ding here or there is no reason to buy a new surfboard. A long life for your equipment reduces the consumption of resources and the environmental impact of manufacturing new products. So before you go to the surf store and buy a new board, try repairing it first. And if you really need a new one, you can also buy a second-hand surfboard.
6. Take your trash with you (and always a little more)
Everyone knows that garbage goes in the garbage can at home. However, of the 300 million tons of plastic produced every year, 10 million tons end up in the sea. Animals mistake plastic for food and therefore suffer from our mistakes. Try to avoid plastic as much as possible. A cloth bag for shopping and a refillable drinking bottle are already the right start! And when you’re at the beach, it’s a good idea to take your garbage back with you, and if you collect a little more garbage, the environment will thank you!
7. Climate protection also protects the oceans
Climate change has an incredibly large impact on the oceans. We humans are producing vast amounts of greenhouse gases and the earth is getting hotter and hotter. The ocean counteracts this and stores 90% of the excess heat in its depths. However, the consequences are much more far-reaching than one might think. Animals have to leave their territories due to the changed conditions, predator-prey relationships are changing and, unfortunately, there is talk of species extinction in the oceans. But what can we surfers do to help protect the ocean?
As a surfer, you’re always on the lookout for the perfect wave and are happy to take a long flight to get there. And we know that it would be a bit unrealistic to give the tip of not flying at all. But: try to book direct flights, for example, even if it’s a little more expensive.
And many things can also be easily integrated into everyday life:
- Reduce your meat and fish consumption
- Separate your waste and try to shop without packaging
- Buy regional and seasonal food (tastes better anyway!)
- Avoid disposable products
These seven measures are of course only a small part of what you can do to help protect the oceans. The most important thing is to develop an awareness of our behavior and its consequences.
The ocean is not only the most beautiful playground for us surfers, but also incredibly fascinating and just as important for nature, wildlife and us humans. If you are aware of this and want to be part of the solution and not the problem, we are already more than happy!
when a surfer becomes a surfer it’s almost an obligation to be an environmentalist at the same time!
Kelly Slater