Hope for the Oceans

I recently completed a natural resource unit for my Masters. My research paper was about the state of the world's fisheries, which inherently links to ocean and reef health. I attempted to argue for hope and solution to the fisheries crisis albeit a slightly uphill battle.

You don't have to delve too far into the conservation or even pop culture space to hear the names of David Attenborough, Ric O'Barry, and Steve Irwin. While doing my research, I came across Dr Silvia Earle, who quite frankly I feel silly for not knowing before. If you are like me, you may also not have heard about the Mission Blue - Silvia Earle Alliance. If you haven't, I shall tell you.

Dr Silvia was born in 1935, is an incredibly accomplished Oceanographer and has been fighting to protect the world's oceans since her science graduate days in the 1950's. Her accomplishments and global advocacy work speaks for itself so Google her if you want to learn more.

More interestingly though, is her recent fight to scale up conservation progress by advocating and working to increase the % of protected ocean globally by establishing more Marine Protected Areas, newly dubbed as 'Hope Spots' through her new Mission Blue initiative. Click on the link below and learn more about preserving the world's oceans.

http://mission-blue.org/

I had the privilege of visiting Fiji in March this year and experienced the stunning reef. I noticed Mission Blue's work with a local organisation called Reef Explorer Fiji to restore coral gardens. I had no idea you could do this!

-Propagated corals awaiting transport to Votua Village Fiji- Image Reef Explorer LTD-

Here are a few poignant pieces of info from my research and also Mission Blue:

- In 1947 there was only 1 oil drilling site along the Gulf of Mexico. In 2013 there are 33,000.
- The number of ocean dead zones as a result of eutrophication (excessive chemical nutrients)  particularly from animal and crop agriculture is now in excess of 500 globally.
- Examples of how tourism and sport fishing resulted in destroying local oceans and coastal communities, have been reversed by developing marine protected areas and promoting regulated eco-tourism. This has helped reinvigorate communities and economies as well as the oceans.
- The global fishing industry is largely owned by only 13 corporations who control approximately 40% of the most valuable fishing stocks and up to 15% of global catch. These companies are based in Japan, Norway, USA, Thailand, Spain, South Korea and China.
- Illegal fishing vessels and techniques contribute to an estimated 10-15% global marine catch. 


My thoughts and suggestions:


- What we choose to eat plays an enormous role. Think about when you order food at a restaurant, where is it coming from? Where is it sourced?  Do you ever see restaurants labeling the sources of their seafood? If you knew it came from an illegal fishing operation, would you still eat it?
- Ask for better labeling of seafood products. Did you know 2/3 of Barramundi served in Australian restaurants is imported from Asia? See http://labelmyfish.com/#
- If you go snorkeling or visit a popular reef destination ask yourself and look around you. Does the operator demonstrate their best interests to protect the oceans? Do they educate tourists? Do they hassle marine life? Are local communities being exploited for tourism?
- Support conservation organisations like Mission Blue and their partners. No I am not affiliated, only an independent supporter.
- Over fishing is only part of the bigger ocean conservation space, but it's something we all have a say in. The systems are all interlinked and effects flow on. Small changes can have a big impact. Ask the important questions, raise awareness and find out more.

Cheers,

Luke


 Sources: UN FAO State Report 2014; labelmyfish.com; mission-blue.org; Pitcher & Cheung 2013, Hope or Despair; Osterblom et al 2015 Transnational Corporations as Keystone Actors.

A Drop in the Ocean

Here at KoS I want to inspire local action on environmental conservation and global pollution. One of the easiest ways that you can be inspired to make significant change in your own life is to watch a powerful documentary. The most recent one I watched was 'Cowspiracy - The Sustainability Secret' by Kip Anderson, which does an excellent job of using simple graphics and data to demonstrate the impacts animal agriculture has both on the land and on the ocean. It's helped me make changes and consciously think about the impacts of eating meat and has drastically reduced my meat consumption. I'm still working on it!

I came across this website a couple of days ago which has documentaries up the wazoo. You can choose from a range of categories. Of course I'm going to encourage you to look at the 'environment' category and check out the one's that spark your interest. There are many new releases which I'm keen to check out myself!

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/category/environment/

We can always learn more about how the choices we make impact the world around us. From  choosing to eat a piece of steak at dinner, to going to feed dolphin pods on the shoreline. When it comes to the environment, every decision has a consequence.

I will leave you with a quote..

"We are tied to the Ocean,
And when we go back to the sea
Whether it is to sail or to watch
We are going back from whence we came".

- John F Kennedy-

Happy watching...

Luke.

Sunday session at Torquay

After a long work week, I was busting to get in the water. I looked up the Hurley Surf report and Magicseaweed reports to see how the surf was looking along the VIC south coast.

Saturday wasn't really a go but Sunday forecast was a light offshore with a 2-3ft swell. Torquay it was! The tide was low at around 1pm so a morning ride was definitely worth the drive from Ringwood.

I arrived at about 10am and the beach was already quite busy, with the nippers knee boarders out and the surf patrol taking up a good chunk of ocean space.

Never the less it was brilliant being back in the water again after a couple of weeks out. Most clean days at Torquay, you don't have to work very hard to catch waves, just float out the back, relax and time your run well. Managed to catch a few crisp left handers not far from Cosy Corner. The waves always break right from the edge, but if the swell and tides are just the correct mix, they re-break to a left to get a decent ride for all you goofys out there.

I ride a FST Firewire 6'6 and works really well in smaller conditions. You have the float but still get the performance of a shorter board. It also has the balsa rails and epoxy mix so it can take a slightly heavier beating than a standard fibreglass. 

Anyway it looks like the beaches are rearing up for a busy summer, so look out for others in the water, respect your fellow riders and take care out there! Mostly have fun!

-View from the top of Torquay Surf Beach Sun 22 Nov 2015 -

A great day at Portsea!

Hey all,

Thought I would share some great pics from a pumping clean day at Portsea (VIC) during winter a couple of years ago. Conditions were about 4ft offshore. My mate ended up fracturing the front end of his board that day!

Was a cold, and exhausting day, but well worth the effort! Winter swells, with little crowds more than make up for the cold water.

Enjoy the pics.

-My mate Ross and I at the lookout-

-Nice right hander-

Welcome to the new blogpage KoS Immerse Yourself!

My name is Luke and I'm an experienced international development practitioner and a passionate conservationist based in Melbourne.

KoS means ‘Kin of Sea’, and by being part of KoS, you are part of protecting the ocean, surf culture and way of life of coastal communities around the world. The blog is in it's infancy but will aim to:

Draw on personal experiences from my international aid and conservation work

Share and link with partners and organisations doing great work around the world

Local surf coast news

Highlight and raise awareness on important conservation and coastal community issues.  

At KoS we encourage you to 'Immerse yourself' in the moment, the ride, the experience and learn as much as you can about the world around you. Challenge what you think you know and understand how your actions impact the world around you. Simple choices from what you eat, to what you say, and how you travel all have consequences both positive and negative.

As humans, we have one chance to look after the natural world. If we don't protect it, we lose it. More to come…