Disclaimer: There are many definitions of the word, 'respect' but since this is not a blog on specifics of grammar of the English language, it is the word that I will continue to revisit throughout this post; suppose you could say it's the theme.
The sea, ocean and the diverse life that it contains has so many uses; intrinsic and extrinsic values; supports so many and still has great potential for the future and should be protected, cared for and respected.
This practice of "respect" can begin in your home, even if it is located at some distance from the sea since many things that you do at home can trickle (literally) into and affect the sea. For example, some of that dishwashing liquid that you just used to clean that dish may end up in the sea later on in the day or week after it leaves your pipes and enters the drainage system or what about those pesticides that leach into the soil and into our water source and eventually flow out to sea? Hopefully by now you are thinking, "hmmmm" and I have sparked a piece of awareness in you. Let's move a little closer to our subject. What if you are on the beach and leave a plastic bag? This can enter the sea and turtles may mistake it as jellyfish and choke on it, leading to their death. Now let's enter our subject- walk into the sea with me. The sunscreen that you have on is most probably leaving your skin and entering the water- look for a oily film around you. This may contribute to smothering some species of corals. I am not saying do not use sunscreen but why not spend some time getting to know your products; read labels or try making your own (digressing a bit here!)
You are now snorkelling and see a beautiful starfish 8 feet below you. I am almost positive that many of you will first think, "ohhh so pretty, let me go closer or pick it up and take a picture". Well you can get closer but refrain from picking it up! With an increase in star fish in some areas in Barbados and having seen a few pictures on social media of people posing with these has sparked the inspiration (rant?) for this post.
Starfish, despite their name are not fish but echinoderms. Furthermore, they are keystone species which means that they play a critical role in maintaining balance in the ecosystem and if removed can affect this delicate and unique balance often resulting in loss of other species that rely on its' role. There have been massive die-offs of a few species of sea stars globally in recent times with reasons being attributed to a wasting syndrome and others to changes in temperature, among others.
You may think nothing is wrong with holding that starfish for 30 seconds but think how many people hold that same starfish everyday causing stress to the animals when being lifted out of the water. These animals spend their lives submerged in water and diffuse oxygen from the water through the small tube feet on the underside of each of their legs. Moreover, star fish have eye spots that serve as receptors at the end of their arms/legs so when you pick them up, it's like poking their eyes (image being poked in your eyes a few times a day). Hopefully next time you see a star fish, instead of picking it up, take a picture of it underwater where it belongs and remember not to poke it in its eye.
I simply chose starfish for the core of this post but much of this information could relate and apply to many other marine and terrestrial species. Now that you have read this essay, imagine that you are swimming along and catch a glimpse of a sea turtle in the distance. You kick as hard as you can to try to catch it and hold on for a ride- it is also advised that you do not do this! This may be one of our biggest attractions and we need the money from tourism but simply seeing these creatures in their "natural" habitat can be amazing. Remember, you are in their home so enter and leave without changing anything. Also, many of these species use defense mechanisms and if you make them feel threatened, you very well could end up becoming injured or harmed so also look out for yourself!
Turtle on the West Coast of Barbados
I simply chose these topics to discuss because these are things that more people come into contact with often and felt that it was a relatively easy thing to start making a change. There has been quite some discussion on social media this past week on the shark fishery of the island which is an issue that may be the subject of another post in the future. However, while your brains are ticking and becoming more aware of our surroundings and impacts that we can have on the marine environment both from home and at the beach or in the sea and how we may change these, why not also think about this and other fisheries and the interactions between people (cultural & livelihoods), money (economic) and the environment itself (ecological impacts)?
Happy sea-ing and respecting!
Sea The Change Crew*
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