Save the seas

CEBU, Philippines - Last Saturday was the 25th International Coastal Clean-up Day. The international clean-up movement is participated by 152 countries worldwide and the Philippines always takes a spot in the the top 10 active participants list, either first or second in rank in terms of volunteer participation.

The international coastal clean-up happens every 3rd Saturday of September. In Cebu, according to Ocean Care Advocates administrator Mario Marababol, clean-ups started way back in the 90s and the awareness continued on to this day. This activity was, in the first place, organized to lessen the harmful effects of sea pollution to the sea creatures and to humans. Imagine a world with no (sea) food to savor? no beach to swim/snorkel in because it’s dirty? no dolphins to watch doing somersaults? Terrible, isn’t it?

To do my share in saving Mother Earth, I joined a bunch of environmental advocates in a coastal clean-up in sitio Saac in Brgy. Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City (at the back of Bigfoot Studios) organized by Our Islands Foundation (an organization of The Islands Group – Islands Souvenirs, Islands Banca Cruises, Islands Stay Hotel) dubbed Zero Waste in Seas last Saturday.

Kid-friendly

Coastal clean-up is a helpful way to save the seas. It’s getting rid of dirt thrown by humans into the sea. It was low tide so it was safe for kids. You need not swim. It was pretty simple. We were provided with sacks, tongs and data cards (where we record the number of trash we collected) and went around to pick up some trash. It was fun!

Aside from coastal clean-ups, here are other simple ways on how to save our seas according to three environmental advocates:

Angie Nellas

Senior Biologist of Project Sea Horse

1. Always remember that the sea is the home of our friends like the fish, the seahorses, the dolphins, among others. Make sure not to break the corals when you go swimming or snorkeling. You shouldn’t touch the corals because these provide home for the sea creatures. Whenever you break them, since these are brittle, it would take a long time for them to recover.

2. Whenever you’re in the beach/near a shore, if it’s unnecessary for you to pick up anything like a sea creature, a shell, a pebble or a stone, then don’t. It’s better to leave them there. These (pebbles, shells) are composed of calcium carbonate, the main chemical compound needed in building coral reefs. These calcium carbonate deposits in shells/pebbles will eventually break into tiny particles due to water reaction. These shells will bring back calcium carbonate in the shore.

3. Don’t throw anything to the sea. Bring your garbage home and throw them in a garbage can.

4. Attitude change. Always remember that we’re not the only ones living on Earth. We’re not the only ones benefiting from the sea. There are also living creatures there that need our care and love.

 Mario Marababol

Administrator of Ocean Care Advocates

 1. Minimize the use of detergent since this product has a chemical compound called phosphate that can cause the “fertilization” of sea water. Too much phosphate in the sea water leads to red tide.

2. Conserve water. When there’s a scarcity of fresh water, salt water will be pulled into the fresh water underground layer. Fresh water will be contaminated with salt water. So there’s no more safe drinking water for the community.

3. Garbage segregation.

4. Kids are the best teachers. They can influence their parents and siblings.

5. If the resources are scarce, we tend to conserve; but if the resources are abundant, we tend to abuse. I hope the kids are responsible of their actions because what they do today will definitely have an effect in the future.

Chai Apale

Marine Biologist, Executive Director of Our Islands Foundation

1. Kids should take time to learn more about underwater life through reading books, surfing the internet, watching info channels and visiting ocean parks. Yet the best is to have them experience the colorful underwater life through snorkeling and just even by swimming. Seeing the marine organisms in their natural habitat will have a deep impact on them and how they should be preserved. Experience is the best way to influence them. I believe that you should be green first then influence others.

2. As much as possible, don’t collect shells and coral skeletons from the beaches you visit. Tiny particles of seashells and coral skeletons mainly compose the sand. Empty seashells are entirely helpful!

4. Participate in activities that promote sea conservation such as coastal cleanups and mangrove planting. 

5. Dispose your trash properly.

So if you’re interested to join in clean-ups, ask Mommy and Daddy to enlist you and the whole family in this “green” activity. Do your share. Be involved. Start young.