MPA Updates

The theme for Earth day 2024 is Planet vs Plastic, so today would be a good time to remind ourselves that this problem is entirely manmade. If we go back just 150 years there was no plastic on the planet - it didn't exist. Plastic pollution is one of the most pervasive and pernicious environmental catastrophes the world is currently facing and it is the responsibility of all of us to do something about it. How are you going to change? #earthday #plasticpollution #oceanconservation #microplastics

UK Beach Clean Season is ON! 🌨 or ☀️. April 25th, Compton Bay, Isle of Wight. See beachclean.org for more info and registration. #oceanissues #beachclean #isleofwight #makeadifference #plasticpollution #getinvolved

Open Ocean Science Centre, Roots Red Sea has been conducting microplastic surveys along the wrack line along different sections of the Abu Sautir beach. So far only a few pieces of microplastic have been found. This can (almost) feel disappointing but finding few plastics is good news! Currents, sediment type and beach profiles can all play a part in the way microplastics are deposited (or not) as our research has discovered. All data collected contributes to our knowledge and advances research.   #oceanissues #citizenscience #microplastics #microplasticsurvey @rootsredsea @openoceansciencecentres

It is international bird day! The Cape Gannet is a large, non-migratory seabird, endemic to southern Africa. It feeds on anchovies, sardines and saury. To catch its prey the gannet plunge-dives into the sea from about 30 meters height to 10 meters deep. Depending on altitude, the gannet hits the water at speeds of between 40-120 km/h! The Cape Gannet breeds on 6 offshore islands in southern Africa. They mate for life and return every year to their nesting site after spending long periods at sea. They nest in large colonies on the ground, very close to each other. This can lead to aggressive encounters between neighbours! The Cape Gannet conservation status is endangered. Human activities such as prey depletion triggered by overfishing have caused Cape Gannet numbers to decline. #capegannet #seabirds #oceanissues #iucn #southafrica #sardines #baitballs

Kelly is taking on the Jurassic Coast challenge in support of Just One Ocean.  Last Saturday she did a 23 (!) miler as part of her training for the May event. You can show your support on Kelly’s fundraiser page. Or go to justoneocean.org more information on the Challenges and how to support Just One Ocean.  https://www.justgiving.com/page/kelly-darkins-1706287327914 #fundraiser #ultrachallenge #support #oceanissues #charity

Great new educational tool! Our wave tank shows how natural sea defenses, like mangroves and salt marshes, protect the coastline by absorbing the wave energy generated by severe weather events. #oceanissues #habitat #mangroves #saltmarshes #education #bigmangrovesurvey @godivingshow

Today we met Nicholas Sayer who has written an amazing book all about encouraging young people to be more involved in protecting the ocean and marine life. It is available on his website. Check out nadito.co.uk and @naditouk #marinelife #marineconservation

Just One Ocean is at the UK GoDiving show with an interactive stand talking about marine conservation and how we can preserve the ocean for future generations. If you're around come and say hi! #oceanissues #awareness #marineconservation @godivingshow

The snowy egret is a coastal bird that eats fish, crustaceans, insects, worms, frogs and toads and even small reptiles. It stalks prey in shallow water, running or shuffling its feet, thereby flushing prey into view. The snowy egret lives in marshes, swamps, ponds, shallow coastal areas.   In the early twentieth century, the snowy egret was hunted for its plumes which were used in the fashion industry. This practice has since been discontinued and at this moment the IUCN considers its conservation status as being of “least concern”. We also much prefer to see the snowy egret’s “mullet” on the bird itself and not on ladies hats! #coastalbirds #snowyegret #heron #IUCN #theoceanisamazing #oceanissues