WHAT IS NEW
“Now is no time to think of what you do not have.
Think of what you can do with that there is”
― Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea
Middle Cove, NL, Canada | Photo credit: Victoria Rogers
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At least once in our life, many of us have poked our heads below the water, but we’re still limited in what we see. We are told that there are lives - lots of them - especially on the bottom of the seafloor, and just like “Life Above Water”, they have important roles to play.
Our connection to the ocean is important, but also intricate and delicate - it is often not easy to explain. What we do with or want from the ocean is not always recognized, and what we know or don’t know about the ocean is not always appreciated. It is even more difficult to put a number to what we value about the ocean! While there is no consensus about the value of the ocean, many people would agree that some kinds of protection is necessary, especially for fragile species and sensitive areas.
It won’t be easy to get ‘marine conservation’ right, and we need to understand all peoples’ visions and desires for conservation, and the diverse ways they can contribute to it. Marine conservation needs to be based on strong communities’ support, which will then help shape and build the Ocean We Want.
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This project intends to engage with everyone, including fishers, coastal communities, ocean users, local leaders, environmental organizations, various government departments, and researchers. Through awareness-raising and capacity building, we hope to arrive at a shared understanding for the future of the ocean.
Why
Marine Conservation
The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected
It is undeniable that the ocean and people are interconnected in many ways. The ocean is more than a source of resources (food, metals, energy, among others) from which people obtain revenues through its exploitation. The ocean is a place of joy, relaxation and entertainment. Many people find inspiration in the ocean and have a strong attachment to it. Besides, the ocean is the foundation of life! It produces about 50-80% of the oxygen on earth, plays an important role in the water cycle and makes the climate milder. Click on the keywords below to learn more about the ocean and why we should care about marine conservation.
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The goals of this project are to:
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build awareness about marine and ocean conservation in NL
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make visible the connection between people and ocean
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share stories about community-led conservation initiatives
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build community among ocean users, actors, and leaders in NL
Nobody knows everything about the ocean
Knowing the Unknown
What do you know about marine conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Explore the known and unknown about marine conservation with these fun games!
Be sure to share your high score with friends and colleagues!
Photo credit: Thomas Kelley | Free to use under the Unsplash License
Stepping from Zero
Protecting the ocean is all our responsibility
The ocean is too big for a few people to take care of on their own. While there are many steps to marine conservation, people's close connections to the ocean are so important they are at Step Zero. Often it is expressed in their culture, arts, music and food. These need to be celebrated. Communities need to be fostered. Then, we need to take action, together, to move from Step Zero.
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Check out how we are celebrating marine conservation, building community, and join us to take action.
CELEBRATING
BUILDING
acting
Videos
songs & poems
The project is funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Oceans Management Contribution Program.
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