How To Love The Ocean

I was just heading down to my favorite beach for a last walk before I leave and go back to the ocean-less Pennsylvania, when I got a text from my friend Wendy Fachon, letting me know it was World Ocean Day. As I was walking, this post came to me in waves. I love the ocean so much, and have studied it deeply as part of my love of nature in general. Plus, both Wendy and my daughter, (both named Eve!), work at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). In fact, Wendy’s Evie just earned her PhD.

So as summer beach and ocean season is starting to crest, here are a few important suggestions on how to truly love the ocean:

1. Sail. Surf. Swim. Snorkle. Keep your entertainment and joy free from engines, motors, loud sounds, and toxic waste. I was blessed to witness the amateur sailing race from Watch Hill (where my favorite beach in the world is) to Block Island. It was a glorious sight to behold and totally silent. Eve’s partner Dennis was sailing in it with two friends. (Their boat is pictured above.)

   

2. Don’t swim with sunscreen on. Or if you do, make sure it is reef and ocean safe. The chemicals in most sunscreens are toxic to ocean life. You are much better off managing your beach hours and covering up using hats, umbrellas, and sun shirts.

3. Eat low on the food chain, local, small and in season. I have spoken with multiple experts on what to eat from the ocean that is least disruptive to the ecosystem and most healthy for us humans. Clams, oysters, sardines and other tiny fish are the best. Clams and oysters are easily farmed without harming the ecosystem (unlike salmon). Oysters, especially, are important cleaners and filterers of the ocean. Eating larger fish when they are wild caught and in season is also acceptable. The larger the fish, the more likely it is to accumulate heavy metals and toxins. Any trawling is extremely destructive and should be banned.

4. Respect the ocean and it’s creatures. Don’t kill for fun or fear. I know, I know, fishing is fun and it makes some people feel better to kill things they are afraid of. But seriously reconsider that. If you fish, make sure you are eating it. (How would you like it if someone caught you on the street with a sharp hook in your mouth and then decided to rip it out and let you go? Humans don’t feel pain, do they?) I know I am offending some friends here. Sorry! But did you know that sharks are older than trees? Crazy. And deserving of deep respect.

5. Keep it clean upstream. Everything is upstream. Sadly, as I was walking back to the hotel from the beach, a young man was spraying pesticides on the beautiful, wild, landscape (“to kill the mosquitos and ticks” he told me). Pesticides, chemicals of all kinds, plastics, and waste all eventually end up in the ocean. Most of them are unnecessary. Hey, I’m guilty here because I stay in the fancy hotel that does this shit. But the good news is that over time, I have seen them improve on all sorts of their practices. We all have room for improvement.

There are so many great documentaries and ocean organizations out there to learn from and support. Surf the streamers to find the ones that appeal to you most and watch them. Follow your curiosity.

The ocean is precious. It’s currents keep our weather and climate organized. It’s waters are gardens for food, beauty and most importantly, oxygen! Did you know that 50% to 80% of our oxygen comes from the ocean? Everything we do and everything we eat is connected in some way to the ocean. Let’s show our gratitude by treating it with respect and love.