Preserving the Health of the Ocean for Our Wellbeing

It is World Ocean’s Day! Did you know that the oceans of the Guianas are very rich of biodiversity, thanks to its muddy nutrient rich waters fed by the Amazon and the North flowing rivers of the region?

That is why our oceans offer a wealth of wildlife. Most well-known are the sea turtles, especially the green and leatherback turtles that nest on the beaches of the Guianas, and the Guianas dolphins that live in the river mouth. But further in sea you can find manta rays, whales, whale sharks and shark species.

We need to preserve healthy oceans for our wellbeing. Fish are an important source for food and protein for a large part of the population and fisheries provide income for many families. Our ocean is also a source of economic potential, because if offers many possibilities for recreation and tourism. And of course, oceans are immensely beautiful and a source of inspiration.
 
WWF works with fishermen, government and businesses to protect life in the oceans. Here are three things you can do on World Ocean’s Day – and after - to help protect the oceans.

1. Reduce single use plastics.Every year more than 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean. They break down into tiny bits called microplastics, small enough to enter our food chain, along with other types of microplastics like those that are released when we wash our clothes.

• In the sea, animals mistake plastic for food. For example, sea turtles will swallow a plastic bag which they think is a jellyfish and suffocate. Also, animals like, whales and sea birds will eat plastics that end up in their stomach where it will accumulate and cause the animal to slowly starve to death.

You can help directly by reducing your own plastic use:

• Choose a re-useable water bottle for tap water instead of single-use plastic bottles
• Bring your own bags to the shops and supermarket
• Stop using plastic straws, when you don’t need them. This will save garbage and sea turtles that area victim, because the straw can end up in the nose.
• Use only re-usable tableware and cutlery. The single-use plastic plates, forks and knifes can will swallowed by whales. In 2019 on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia a dead sperm whale was found on the beach with 22 kilo plastics in its stomach, including plastic tableware.

 

2. Sign the petition for global agreement to end the plastic crisis in our oceans by 2030 

• The petition calls all member states of the UN for a global and legally binding agreement to stop the leakage of plastics into our oceans by 2030. The agreement should set strict goals for pollution reduction in each UN member state and instruct each state to create a national action plan. https://wwf.panda.org/get_involved/campaign_with_us/plastics_campaign_page/

 

3. Don’t eat sea turtle eggs and meat of other protected species.

•  Illegal harvesting and consumption of sea turtle eggs is a serious threat to the existence of sea turtle. Violating this will result in a heavy fine. In Suriname WWF works with the government to guard the nesting beaches. But the ultimate solution is to stop the consumption of sea turtle eggs and meat

Read this poster on the threats of sea turtles:
https://d144yw6o2d13bk.cloudfront.net/downloads/brochure_turtles_final_en_1.pdf