Marine Life & Conservation
European Commission Seeks Your Input on Ways to Reduce Marine Litter
Rays trapped in lost fishing nets, floating plastic bags resembling jellyfish, glass bottles and tyres covering the ocean floor are all too common a sight for scuba divers who are the first to see how devastating marine litter is underwater. Many of us pick up trash every time we dive. We organize or participate in Project AWARE’s Dive Against Debris campaign. And between now and December 18th, you have a unique opportunity to share your opinion on how the European Union (EU) can best tackle marine litter.
The European Commission aims to develop an EU-wide reduction target for marine litter. This public consultation is an integral part of the EU’s long-term commitment to develop, implement and enforce policies aimed at tackling marine litter sources and impacts.
One of the key policy initiatives that has been in development for several years is the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) which establishes a structure within which Member States have to take measures to maintain or achieve ‘good environmental status’ (GES) in the marine environment by 2020, including reducing marine litter. The development of a reduction target is one of many complementary activities undertaken at the EU level to tackle the problem.
For this consultation, the Commissions is particularly interested in input from representatives of the waste management, plastic producers and recyclers, fisheries and shipping sectors as well as nongovernmental organizations. Organisations such as Project AWARE look forward to providing an organizational response sharing our common, underwater perspective on the problem, but if you’re an EU citizen, your input as an individual diver adds the citizen perspective rarely heard but deeply valued by your EU representatives. To have your say:
- Read the Public Consultation Background Document for guidance.
- Complete the questionnaire. You will be asked to assess various actions aimed at reducing the presence and impacts of marine litter on a scale of 1 to 5. Only a few questions are compulsory so please feel free to answer only those relevant to you.
Add your individual diver’s voice to the search for solutions. The consultation is open until 18 December 2013.
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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