ocean ambassadors
The oceans do so much for us so it is time we do more for the oceans! As mermaids we can act as ocean ambassadors and use our voices to create conscious change. Mermaid Barbados has taken the pledge to help save our seas and we think you should too!
Oceans cover approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface and contain 97% of the planet’s water. They also absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide emissions produced by humans and produce more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere.
The open ocean provides a range of goods and services that are an integral part of our health, environment, weather and economy. Some of these include fisheries, employment, income, tourism, shipping routes, and temperature and weather control. They also provide enjoyment to millions of people yearly and supply us with the air that we breathe, the food that we eat, and even the water that we drink.
tips for an ocean friendly mermaid experience
by Mermaid Nikola Simpson, Barbados Marine Biologist & Ocean Ambassador
In an ideal situation, do not wear sunscreen in the ocean. However, if you have to, try wearing ocean friendly brands (Sunscreen washes off swimmers’ bodies and endangers coral health. A sunscreen chemical called benzophenone-2 (BP-2) is highly toxic to coral). An alternative to protect your skin from UV rays and sunburn is to wear a wetsuit or long-sleeved shirt into the water along with your mermaid tail!)
Look, admire and enjoy your surroundings but please do not touch, feed, step on, handle, chase or ride anything (Even slight contact with coral can harm the polyps and actions such as touching and chasing for eg. Sea turtles may stress the animal, interrupt natural behavior or provoke aggressive behaviour)
Take nothing, living or dead out of the water, except any new garbage that you may find!
In general, practice the following in your daily life:
Make safe, responsible seafood choices
Help take care of the beach and coast by cleaning up after yourself on the beach or in the water
Ditch the disposable lifestyle and make an effort to use reusable bags and food storage containers and say no to straws.
Reduce energy consumption to lower your carbon footprint (as less carbon dioxide emissions will mean less ocean acidification)
Use your consumer power and do not purchase items that exploit marine life such as coral jewelry, tortoise shell and shark products.
For more tips on saving our seas click learn more to visit Nikola's Instagram Page