Turtle Walker – An Emaho Films Production

TAIRA MALANEY COMING HOME TO JACKSON WILD 2023

Every year, I look forward to what has become an annual gathering at Jackson Wild in the beautiful Grand Teton National Park. It has only been four years since I first attended the summit…

EMAHO – AT JACKSON WILD 2022

EMAHO – AT JACKSON WILD 2022 Showcasing ‘Free the Footage’ & Co-hosting ‘Climate Action Pathways for Television & Film Industry’ at Jackson Wild Summit 2022 by Jill Ferguson Jill Ferguson, Impact Producer at Emaho Films, addressing the Climate Action Pathways Session It was honestly a bit of whirlwind experience getting invited to Jackson Wild to co host a session this season and present our short film. One of Turtle Walker’s Film Impact Goals was always to analyse our own carbon footprint and use our learning journey to hopefully inspire a larger discussion in the Indian film industry as a whole on the need to be carbon-conscious in our production strategies. We had been working on various ways to go about doing this with Tom Mustill, of Gripping Films, who is one of the leading voices on green filmmaking internationally. He rightly pointed out that as we are filmmakers, it makes sense to make a film about the need to make the film industry more sustainable and green, and therefore the idea for “Free the Footage” was born. Screening of ‘Free the Footage’ at Jackson Wild Summit 2022 So when Jackson Wild reached out to him about being on a panel discussion on green filmmaking, he told them about our campaign and film. Jackson Wild loved the idea and connected us to Samuel Rubin and Heather Fipps from Yea Impact, who also wanted to create a more interactive session on green filmmaking.Together, we co-designed and co-hosted a session called Climate Action Pathways for the Film & Television Industry. Heather and Samuel kicked off the session by introducing ENZA (the Entertainment Net Zero Accord), which is an accord they are currently helping to develop for the UNFCCC sectoral initiative for the film and television industry. Participants at the Climate Action Pathways for Film and TV industry As part of the session Taira screened the “Free the Footage” film and introduced the idea of open sourced filmmaking as one example of ways in which we could create more carbon conscious films. I then broke up the people attending the session into groups to discuss the pain points currently preventing us from moving towards greener industry practices, as well as harvest case studies and potential solutions the community knew of that could act as guiding lights of change for us all. The session sparked some really interesting and insightful discussions, and I personally left feeling inspired and ready to get to work. Taira Malaney, Director at Emaho Films speaking to the participants. This type of session and conversation with stakeholders from the industry is part of our immediate plan. We plan to conduct such sessions for awareness and importation all over the world, with the aim to build an Accord for the Film and Television industry that allows everyone to move forward towards building a more sustainable industry. We are surely planning to host more of these types of conversations throughout India and Bollywood over the coming years to support the development of this Accord. Because if we have any hope of reaching the Paris Agreement targets to mitigate climate change then every person and industry has to do its part.

DUNES PARKS

Dunes Parks Dune Parks is coming home, coming home to Goa! In a monumental move to restore our previous sand dunes, Goa is the location of a first-of-its-kind project in India. But what is a dune park? A sand dune park is a specific area where measures are put in place to preserve the flora and fauna of this often overlooked, delicate ecosystem. Sand dunes are often overlooked as areas that need preserving. Sand dunes, while mostly found in deserts, are also found on beaches. Sand dunes are essential as they act as a barricade between the ocean and land, protecting human habitation from tsunamis and storms. Sand dunes are formed as geological deposits from the wind. The windier it is, the more likely a sand dunes will form. Unfortunately, years of negligence have led to sand dunes around Goa becoming holding pots of garbage. Look no further, around Goa’s Morjim beach in the North and Galgibaba in the South, these two upcoming sand dunes parks will be the center of education on the importance of preserving sand dunes. With bridges built from eco-friendly material, nurseries of sand dune vegetation, and interpretation centers, these dune parks are an attempt at diversity revival on our beautiful Goan coasts. With the backing of the World Bank, Goa’s state biodiversity board has been given almost 3 crores for this project. Dunes Parks represents an exciting time for India’s hub of tourism, Goa. More emphasis on environmentally sustainable approaches to tourism, especially in an area as rich in biodiversity as Goa, is one step towards a greener future.

MANGROVES

Mangroves What are mangroves? Mangroves are trees that exist in very unique conditions in which most trees would not survive. They exist in tropical regions that are salty, in coastal waters where they experience constant flooding and retreating tides. There are around 80 different species of trees that grow in low-oxygen soil. Since these mangrove forests cannot handle cold and freezing temperatures, they only exist in tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator. There are three types of mangroves: Red: Found along the coastlines Black: A major feature of such mangrove trees is their dark bark. They have access to more oxygen. White: Compared to red and black mangroves, they grow at the highest elevation. In the entire world, mangroves are the only species of trees that can not only handle saltwater but thrive in it. These unique mangrove trees have a trick up their sleeves to deal with excess salt. They have waxy leaves, which help in excreting all the excess unrequired salt!Most mangrove forests have a thick tangle of prop roots that make the trees appear to be standing on stilts above the water. This tangle of roots allows the trees to handle the daily rise and fall of tides, which means that most mangroves get flooded at least twice per day. The roots also slow the movement of tidal waters, causing sediments to settle out of the water and build up the muddy bottom. Types of Mangroves Mangrove forests can be found on the saltwater coasts of 118 tropical and subtropical countries, totaling more than 137,000 square kilometers (85,000 square miles). The largest area of mangrove forests is found in Indonesia, which consists of around 23,000 square kilometers of area. It has been estimated that around 50–110 species of mangrove trees exist, which vary in several features. Mangrove trees range in height from 2 to 10 meters; some have oblong leaves, whereas some have oval leaves. However, all prefer and thrive in regions with brackish water. Importance of mangroves Mangroves provide a variety of ecological benefits. 1. Essential habitat Due to their diverse features, mangroves provide a home for a diverse array of terrestrial organisms as well as various coastal species of fish, which rely on mangrove grounds for being able to breed, spawn, and hatch. Their underwater roots act as nursing grounds for a range of various juveniles of fish species, including 1-inch gobies to 10-foot sharks. 2. Carbon Sinks Mangroves act as important carbon sinks by absorbing and storing up to 10 times more carbon than terrestrial ecosystems. With the current threat of climate change, mangroves prove to be very important habitats in the fight against climate change. 3. Natural Barriers The thick, impenetrable roots of mangrove forests are vital to shoreline communities as natural buffers against storm surges, an increasing threat in a changing global climate with rising sea levels. They stabilize the coastline and reduce the natural erosion that is caused by storms, waves, and tides. This plays a major role in protecting coastal areas from natural disasters like tsunamis, as the mangrove tree complex root systems dissipate sea wave energy. 4. Local livelihood Mangroves are an important source of livelihood for local communities found in and around mangrove forests. Various activities such as honey collection, tanning, wax collection, and fishing have been sustaining these communities living around mangroves for centuries. Threats Mangroves are under threat nearly everywhere. Because of their high salt tolerance, mangroves are often among the first species to colonize mud and sandbanks flooded by seawater, but an increase in coastal development and altered land use led to a decline in global populations. Several species are listed as vulnerable or endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Mangroves in Myanmar are in major threat as the rate of deforestation is four times the global average. Shrimping is the major cause of the problem. In Thailand, Mexico and Indonesia, mangroves are often cut down to make room for temporary shrimp pens. But once the pens have been removed, the accumulated bio-waste renders the water too toxic for most forms of life. Climate change is the biggest threat being faced by the Mangroves in India. Increase in temperatures, carbon dioxide concentration, rise in sea levels and extreme weather events like cyclones and droughts, are predicted to have deleterious effects on Indian mangroves. Sea level rise is probably the greatest threat facing coastal mangroves. Recent studies have shown that larger changes in sea level can lead to mangrove ecosystem collapse. Pollution is on the rise in highly populated coastal metro cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta which face increased pollution load resulting in the decrease in mangrove cover. Mangroves in Maharashtra are almost extinct now due to continuous human exploitation. Mangroves of India India has 3% of the total mangrove cover in South Asia. Mangrove Cover in India is 4975 sq. km (0.15% of the total geographical area.) According to the Forest Survey of India, 2019, Mangroves’ cover in the country increased by 54 sq. km (91.10 %) in comparison to the 2017 assessment. The significant points put across by the State Forest Report 2019: Mangrove cover is divided as: Very Dense – 1476 sq. km (29.66 %) Moderately Dense – 1479 sq. km (29.73%) Open Mangroves – 2020 sq. km (40.61 %) West Bengal has 42.45% of India’s mangrove cover which is the highest in the country. The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the largest mangrove in the world and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to over 180 species of trees and plants. The major mangroves in India are found at: Sundarban Groves Mahanadi Mangroves Krishna Godavari Mangroves Mangroves of Gujarat Ratnagiri Mangroves Goa Mangroves Cauvery Deltaic Mangroves Krishan-Godavari Mangroves Andaman Nicobar Mangroves Conservation of Mangroves in India The State Forest Report 2019 mentions the following conservation techniques for conservation of Mangroves in India: The state of Gujarat uses direct seed sowing, raised bed plantations, and fishbone channel

WCS – INDIA PROGRAMS

WCS – INDIA PROGRAMS WCS, which stands for Wildlife Conservation Society, was founded in 1895 and expanded in India in 1988. The organization ‘envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth.” WCS has various programs that work towards saving wildlife and wild habitats through science, conservation action, and education. The goal of WCS India is to “protect and conserve the natural environment, its flora and fauna, and in particular the preservation of wildlife and wild places in India.” This is done by combining wildlife conservation action along with strategic policy interventions with the help of productive partnerships between government and non-government agencies. The major conservation actions WCS addresses are habitat fragmentation, poaching, wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict. WCS-India is currently working across 20 states inthe  India to address a diverse range of conservation issues, one of which includes conservation of the marine and coastal ecosystems in India by strengthening the marine protected area network, improving the conservation status of sharks and rays in India, and mitigating bycatch of marine megafauna. BACKGROUND OF WCS MARINE CONSERVATION WORK DONE BY WCS INDIA India has an extensive and unique coastline of over 7,500 km, with the oceans containing a wide variety of flora and fauna, making it one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world. The water bodies of India include ranging habitats from salty lagoons, estuaries, mudflats, and marshes to mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and both sandy and rocky beaches. These habitats add not only to the biodiversity of flora and fauna but also support 30% of India’s local communities living in these coastal areas. With increasing human population, overexploitation of resources, and climate change, pressure has added on these coastal habitats, which are steadily declining. WCS, along with local communities, is working in these regions to address these conservation concerns by focusing on 5 main themes: Strengthening the existing Marine Protected Area (MPA) network Strengthening the existing Marine Protected Area (MPA) network Mitigating marine megafaunal bycatch Strengthening shark and ray management Helping incorporate sustainability into marine-centric tourism and Promoting and supporting sustainable fisheries. Let’s have a look at each theme closely. 1. Strengthening the existing Marine Protected Area (MPA) network 136 MPA’s exist in India, which make up only a fraction of India’s territorial water. WCS is working actively with coastal communities and government organizations to achieve the target of protecting at least 10% of its marine regions by 2020 and create more MPA’s across the country. This is being done by notifying MPA’s in the form of community reserves, sanctuaries, national parks, and conservation reserves. This helps in enforcing the rules and regulations of protected areas for these marine ecosystems and also help benefit local stakeholders through sustainable benefits from these resources. 2. Mitigating megafaunal bycatch The fish or marine animals that get trapped unintentionally in commercial fishing nets are known as bycatch. Many marine mammals, turtles, sharks, and even rays get caught in these fishing nets, putting pressure on these species populations. WCS India is working on identifying ‘bycatch hotspots’ and conducting monitoring programs to reduce bycatch in Indian waters. They are focused on tacking this issue and finding a solution for this bycatch problem by using a ‘bottom-up’ approach where they work with local communities and small-scale artisanal fisheries to reduce bycatch. 3. Strengthening shark and ray management in India Sharks and Rays belong to a globally threatened group of marine organisms known as ‘Elasmobranchs’. These species face a wide variety of threats, including habitat loss and the more dangerous issue of illegal hunting for their parts. WCS India is working with local fishermen to address the gaps in the conservation of these species by spreading awareness amongst local communities through education programs, finding alternate livelihood programs, making policy changes, and working towards reducing the demand for these species by changing consumer behavior for these sharks and rays. 4. Assessing the impact of dive tourism on coral reefs WCS is working in Lakshadweep Islands to assess the impact of marine tourism and water sports on the local biodiversity of the region. Often these activities are not in compliance with accepted norms for responsible and ecologically sustainable tourism activities, resulting in damage to these fragile marine ecosystems. Coral reefs are already facing major damage due to coral bleaching and climate change, and irresponsible tourism can worsen the situation. The WCS team is working to record and assess the impact of tourism and, in turn, provide guidelines on how to conduct sustainable tourism. 5. Promoting and supporting sustainable fishing Fish is an important source of protein all over the world, and India is the world’s largest exporter of seafood after China. With increasing demand globally, there has been increased pressure on the fish populations all over the world, leading to a major decline. In India, 61% of fish stocks are completely fished and 29% are overfished. WCS India is working with local communities and fisheries to promote sustainable fisheries as well as the sustainable livelihoods of people depending on these resources for their survival. We aid small-scale fisheries by assisting in securing vital fishing grounds, thereby mitigating conflict with the mechanized fishing industry. WCS does this by facilitating vocational training to help provide supplementary income to marginalized communities. Further, the program aims to work towards strengthening fisheries legislation to ensure fish stocks are conserved while meeting community livelihood concerns. Finally, to help consumers make better, informed decisions, WCS is also working on promoting responsible seafood consumption initiatives. TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE, INDIA Another main project by WCS India is the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA). TSA, India, is dedicated to conserving non-marine chelonians, crocodilians, and cetaceans and functions as a field program of WCS-India through five field-based projects across the country in the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems. The extirpation of turtle populations in many regions of Asia has been driven by increased market demand for turtles as food,

GHOST NETS

GHOST NETS WHAT ARE GHOST NETS? When we hear the term ‘Ghost Nets,’ we automatically think of something eerie or haunted. The truth is that these fishing nets that have been abandoned, lost, or discarded (ALD), at sea, on beaches, or in harbors are truly eerie and as good as being haunted. These nets are a major contributor to the bigger problem of ghost gear, which refers to all types of fishing gear, including nets, lines, traps, etc., that are no longer actively managed by fishers or fisheries. Ghost gear, and specifically ghost nets, are causing major harm to various marine life forms. Just because the nets are no longer being used by fishermen doesn’t mean these nets don’t function as nets in the sea. They continue ‘unintentional fishing’ which is often called ‘ghost fishing’. These nets also get entangled and are ingested by the unsuspecting marine animals. Each year, ghost gear is responsible for trapping and killing a significant number of marine animals, such as sharks, rays, bony fish, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, crustaceans, as well as sea birds. These nets affect coral reefs too by smothering coral reefs, breaking corals, exposing them to disease, and even blocking the reefs from needed sunlight. WHY DOES ‘GHOST GEAR’ EXIST?? Up till the 1960s, fishing nets were made from rope; however, since then, the nets started being made from nylon, as it was much stronger and cheaper than rope. Nylon is made out of plastic, and just like all other plastic products, it does not decompose. That means that these ghost nets continue to cause havoc and damage to the marine environment for many years. Because of this, hundreds of millions of marine animals are killed or injured every year due to fishing net pollution. Another main project by WCS India is the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA). Ghost gear is an unintended byproduct of fishing and occurs when the fisher loses all operational control of the equipment. Here are some reasons why fishing gear may become abandoned, lost, or intentionally discarded: Poor weather conditions Poor access to disposal or recycling facilities Poor gear maintenance High cost of retrieval Conflict between fisheries & vandalism Abandonment during illegal fishing activitiesCatch overload causing the net to break in the deep ocean and cannot be retrieved.Catch overload causing the net to break in the deep ocean and cannot be retrieved Catch overload causing the net to break in the deep ocean and cannot be retrieved.  WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE? Ghost gear is not an issue concerning a single country or a continent. Rather, it is a global issue that occurs everywhere in the world, wherever fishing occurs. Ocean currents can cause ghost gear to drift far from its origin and cross countless borders, thus disrupting the marine environment and affecting marine animals way beyond official fishing territories. As a result, the gear can often end up all over the world on beaches, coral reefs, in the deep sea, and in the open ocean as large conglomerates. Even though, due to its cryptic and transboundary nature, which makes assessment of the impact of ghost gear on the environment extremely difficult, it is still widely recognized as a major source of mortality for many marine organisms and causing major negative impacts on the marine environment. Some of the major damage caused by Ghost Nets includes: Entanglement in Ghost Nets Ghost nets cause entanglement of all kinds of marine life, from small crustaceans to larger organisms such as sharks, turtles, whales, dolphins, etc. What is worse is that these animals die a slow death as they remain stuck in nets for weeks, months, or even years. Those that need to come up for air will die by drowning, and the others die of starvation, exhaustion, or predation. Entanglements are not the only problem caused by ghost fishing. Marine animals often ingest hooks, lines, and nets, causing an array of problems such as perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, obstruction, sepsis, toxicity, and starvation. Smothering of Coral Reefs Ghost nets often sink to the seafloor and can be found in sensitive habitats, such as coral reefs. Here, the ghost nets can damage coral and even block access to necessary sunlight by smothering the reef, thereby damaging the sensitive ecosystem. Adds to the Plastic Crisis As we already read earlier that since the 1960’s a major switch from rope nets to a plastic alternative of nylon nets is added to the issue of ghost fishing. Ghost nets are a major contributor to the ocean plastics crisis. According to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports, ghost nets makeup at least 46% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Those abandoned fishing lines and nets that do breakdown never go away; they just become smaller pieces of plastic. Marine animals mistake this microplastic for food and eat it, which can harm internal organs, keep them from eating, and expose them to toxic chemicals. The issue of microplastics entering into our food chain and drinking water is a major concern for the welfare of human beings as well.   Invasive species dispersal Ghost nets get carried by the current and hence can travel for thousands of miles and occupy a variety of different habitats. Along with them travel various microorganisms, which get accumulated over the journey of these ghost nets and get moved around across ocean basins. This results in accelerated dispersal of invasive species, which can in turn endanger other species, increase the occurrence of disease and parasites, and potentially disrupt entire marine ecosystems. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Completely eradicating ghost nets from our oceans is a huge task that requires constant commitment, cooperation, and innovation. There are various organizations working towards the removal of ghost nets and other ghost gear from our oceans. You can identify such NGO’s in your region, reach out, and understand if you can help by volunteering your time, donating, or even simply by spreading awareness, which can go a long way, even

IMPACT PRODUCTION

IMPACT PRODUCTION We’ve heard of impact and we’ve heard of production, but what happens when you put the two words together? We get impact productions! An impact production essentially maximizes a film’s ability to make social change. While this is a relatively recent term, impact productions have made headway in the film sphere as they aim to not only entertain but also inspire. Impact production uses specific messaging and strategies that build empathy amongst targeted viewers. Once viewers are inspired, they are often given the opportunity to participate in tangible change through various means of supporting the cause of the impact production. The difference between a regular production and an impact production is engagement. While a regular production may target a specific issue, it often doesn’t have the same follow-up as an impact production. Impact production ties in partners and implements an impact campaign, often managing partnerships and getting organizations and other relevant parties involved that are necessary to enact such change. In some cases, impact production even targets policymakers. Impact productions are often centered around the cause or people that are most affected. They aim to identify, portray, and engage narratives about relevant issues in an authentic way, capturing the true issue. Furthermore, impact production targets a specific audience. Not everybody needs to watch the film. As a result, the film is often tailored to a specific audience and kept with this in mind throughout the development of the film. An impact producer often plays a crucial role in establishing partnerships, strategic management, and making sure impact is being made. Emaho Films is one such hub for impact production. With their upcoming film “The Turtle Walker,” Emaho aims to bring awareness to endangered and at-risk turtle populations around coastal Indians and one man’s story of love with these beautiful creatures. In the words of Jackie Robinson, “a life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Similarly, the life of a production, of art, of creation is important when its impact has helped. Impact productions aim to do simply this.

MPA ATLAS

IMPACT PRODUCTION Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are crucial to the conservation of marine biodiversity in our oceans for several reasons. They act as a safeguard for biodiversity and the health of marine ecosystems by acting as a sanctuary for various species to mature, reproduce, and help restore healthy populations within and beyond their borders. They also help build resilience against looming threats, including the most pressing one at the moment: climate change. The MPA Atlas, started by the Marine Conservation Institute, allows you to navigate the various protected and proposed marine protected zones around the globe. The Marine Conservation Institute has been working in the fight to save marine life for over 25 years and is armed with an expansive network of scientists and marine biologists to advocate for conservation in times of need. The institute has also developed the best practices for managing MPAs. Establishing MPAs is not just about conserving any and all marine areas; it is about careful consideration of specific zones based on a variety of factors. It is essential that we take into consideration where zones are located and what kind of marine life exists in these zones to determine the feasibility of saving them. The MPA Atlas acts as a directional tool where the public is granted access to visual representations of MPAs worldwide. In India alone, there are 31 MPAs along the coastline (including the Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands) that are officially designated to conserve and protect coastal and marine biodiversity. Furthermore, there are over 100 protected freshwater and terrestrial areas that are protected in India, which do ultimately impact coastal areas. The MPA Atlas also updates statistics related to how much of our global oceans are protected/semi-protected and areas that should be protected. As of March 26, 2021, the current designations are as follows: 2.7% of the global ocean area—implemented and fully/highly protected zones 3.7%—less protected zones <1%-designated but unimplemented zones 1.4% is in proposed committed zones. Less protected zones are increasingly becoming an issue. Due to unregulated areas, faulty law enforcement, and neglect of various designated areas, MPAs are often not as protected or successful as they intend to be. The MPA Atlas helps divide these categorizations in order to establish which areas need more protection vs. which areas are already well protected and flourishing. Check out the atlas to see what zones are currently protected, proposed to be protected, and unprotected:  https://mpatlas.org/zones and play your part in learning about how we can conserve our oceans!

IMPORTANCE OF OCEANS

IMPORTANCE OF OCEANS Even though the ocean covers almost 71% of our earth, little of our attention goes to it. With us humans being terrestrial beings, often oceans and the role the oceans play in our lives go unnoticed. Did you know that without the ocean, we humans would have little chance of survival? Let us see the various ways the ocean is the heart of the planet. 1. SOURCE OF OXYGEN Without oxygen, we know there would be no life. A common misconception is that forests are the primary source of oxygen for the planet. However, this is not true. Forests are responsible for only 28% of the oxygen on earth. The major source of oxygen for our planet Earth is our oceans, which provide 70% of the oxygen on earth. A microscopic plant known as phytoplankton is the major producer of oxygen. They function the same way trees do on land, that is, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Since they are microscopic, they go unnoticed, but without them, we wouldn’t have a viable planet with a rich source of oxygen to sustain life on earth. 2. CLIMATE   REGULATOR The ocean is like the earth’s personal climate controller. Currents are formed when the ocean absorbs the heat and transports warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water from the poles to the tropics. These currents are extremely crucial to maintain the weather conditions in various parts of the world, without which these regions would be uninhabitable. The oceans are also major carbon sinks where they absorb Co2 and help in keeping the climate of our planet in check. 3. SUPPORTS HIGH BIODIVERSITY The ocean is home to approximately more than 3,000 species. The oceans are so vast and diverse that they support extremely rich biodiversity, with many species still remaining unknown. These diverse ecosystems are extremely crucial for the functioning of a healthy ocean on which various processes and livelihoods depend. 4. LIVELIHOOD The ocean is home to approximately more than 3,000 species. The oceans are so vast and diverse that they support extremely rich biodiversity, with many species still remaining unknown. These diverse ecosystems are extremely crucial for the functioning of a healthy ocean on which various processes and livelihoods depend. THREATS BEING FACED BY OUR OCEAN Even though we saw how extremely important oceans are, they are majorly threatened by several human actions. Some of the threats include: 1. Overexploitation: Fish is a major source of food for large populations. However, with the introduction of new technology and increasing demand, overfishing has become a major issue. Almost a third of global fish stocks are overfished. Many fish species that were abundantly found earlier have been overfished to such an extent that they have become endangered. Various species that are protected are also illegally fished and sold for food, as well as illegal wildlife pet trade. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing can cost the global economy up to $23 billion annually. Unsustainable fishing practices are adding major stress to the functioning of oceans. Being aware of where our fish is being sourced from and supporting sustainable fisheries rather than big commercial companies can help reduce this pressure on our oceans. 2. Pollution: Several types of pollution are damaging the oceans. Various industries dump their toxic waste into the water bodies, which end up in the oceans. The agricultural industries, with the increasing use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers, are polluting the water quality. Nearly 80 percent of the world’s wastewater is discharged without treatment. Another major source of pollution is plastic waste. More than five trillion pieces of plastic pollution are afloat in the oceans. Single-use plastics such as straws, plastic bags, cutlery, and food containers, which we hardly use for a few minutes, remain in the oceans for hundreds of years. By refusing the use of such single-use plastics and opting for eco-friendly products such as metal straws, cloth bags, and bamboo toothbrushes, we can help reduce the plastic waste generated. Another waste, such as ghost nets and discarded fishing gear, is choking our oceans and killing countless animals each and every day. 3. Climate Change: Climate change is having a major impact on the functioning of our oceans. The ocean temperatures are promoting acidification and making it harder for the marine species to breathe. Rising temperatures also cause coral bleaching to occur, which is where the once healthy corals, which support a variety of other marine species, are dying. Loss of suitable habitat for breeding and feeding for various species results in their population declining. We each should focus on reducing our own carbon footprint by making small changes in our daily lifestyle and being more conscious of each one of our carbon footprint generations. 4. Lack of Protection Status: On land, we have a number of protected areas that have proven to be very important in the conservation of various species such as rhinos, elephants, and tigers. Similarly protected areas for oceans are crucial to help protect and maintain the population of marine biodiversity. Protecting their habitat from overexploitation, ship traffic, and pollution to promote a healthy and safe environment for several species to feed and breed is extremely crucial for the survival of these fragile ecosystems. Today, only 2% of our global oceans are included in strongly protected marine parks. Scientists estimate we may need to protect 30% of the oceans to provide properly for the future of ocean wildlife and ocean health. Local, national, and international efforts are required to help set up marine protected areas. The oceans are the heart of our planet, and each one of us directly relies on the oceans for our survival. Becoming aware of the threats and working towards protecting our oceans is crucial for a healthy life and planet.  

MARINE CONSERVATION COURSES

MARINE CONSERVATION COURSES Has the ocean and all its fascinating creatures always intrigued you? If you are curious about learning more about the marine world and all it has to offer, there are various courses available that will help you gain an understanding of this fascinating and extremely important world. There are different levels of courses available depending on what and why you are choosing to do these courses. Marine life may simply interest you and you would want to know more, or maybe you want to dive deep and learn and work towards marine conservation actively. Read on to find out about a few courses that are available to peak your interest in the unique and fascinating world of marine conservation. 1. NAT GEO: OCEAN CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS COURSE This is a basic introductory short online course for only 4 hours, which you can do at your own convenience. This course dives into the marine species and habitats that make up our ocean’s ecosystem. You’ll also discover the benefits people derive from this ecosystem and how conservation action is needed to build the ocean’s resilience to climate change. This course is suitable for anyone interested in wildlife and the environment; however, it is recommended that you complete Introduction to Conservation available on the Nat Geo platform before exploring this course. https://account.nationalgeographic.org/courses/ocean-challenges-and-solutions 2. GVI MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE This is an in-depth course that is available from the comfort of your homes via an online platform. This course will help you develop foundational skills and help you understand the scientific terms and language used for marine conservation. The history of marine conservation is also introduced in this course. The course will also teach you about the various challenges faced by marine life, such as pollution in coastal waters, the overdevelopment of coastlines, climate change, and overfishing. Investigate how these factors have contributed to a decline in coral reefs, fish life, and marine mammals and what can be done to negate them and protect the world’s largest ecosystem. https://www.gvi.co.uk/online-course/marine-conservation   3. NEW HAVEN: MARINE CONSERVATION COURSE The New Haven Reef Conservation Program (NHRCP), based in Thailand, was founded in 2007 with the main aim of teaching divers about reef ecology, research, and restoration. The marine conservation courses offer participants the opportunity to learn in-depth about marine ecology and the techniques used by reef managers around the world to manage and protect coral reef resources. After developing the knowledge, participants then practice those techniques underwater while simultaneously contributing to the conservation of the reefs around the island. The unique program focuses on scientifically based techniques that empower local stakeholders and assist the efforts of the local community and government. Participants of the course also receive certifications through Conservation Diver, one of the highest quality marine conservation training organizations available. https://newheavenreefconservation.org/courses   4. ANIMAL COURSES DIRECT: MARINE CONSERVATION DIPLOMA COURSE This organization offers a marine conservation course, available online, that covers the ocean as a habitat, the evolution, and marine life adaptation. Other areas include fisheries, sustainable fishing, ocean pollution, the impact of global climate change, the impact of non-native species, and government policy and legislation. This marine conservation course is the ideal theory for anybody interested in marine conservation and for those wanting to volunteer or follow a career in this field. There are six modules included in this course, which are: The Ocean Habitat Evolution and Marine Life Adaptation Fisheries and Sustainable Fishing Ocean pollution and the Impact of Global Climate Change Impact of Non-Native Species Government Policy and Legislation https://animalcoursesdirect.co.uk/courses/marine-conservation-diploma-course-level-3 5. CONSERVATION DIVER The aim of this organisation is to not rely solely on governments to solve problems being faced by the planet’s oceans, but to increase the capacity and skill sets of local managers and divers around the globe to empower a new generation of action oriented conservationists. Through training courses this organisation is giving people from many different backgrounds the knowledge to initiate action, and through their networks helping those who want to make a difference join up and realize their goals. This organisation offers a variety of courses within the field of marine conservation. These courses include : Research and Monitoring Courses Restoration Theory and Techniques Hard Corals Reef Protection Monitoring & Conserving Other Reef Organisms   Within these courses there are sub topics which you can choose from based on your interest and the branch of marine conservation you are interested in. https://conservationdiver.com/marine-conservation-courses/#reefresearch