These vibrant sea pools are just the beginning. When I think about what it must be like to observe alien-like creatures that we crassly label 'fish', 'starfish', or 'shells', I begin to wonder more about the beauty to be encountered in a marine environment. How can life be sustained in an ever-changing ocean? The temperatures fluctuate with the seasons, one only has to look out towards the Pacific during the winter time to sea the majestic humpbacks make their treacherous, long journey north from the freezing Antarctic waters.
How can such a fragile ecosystem, or more accurately, series of marine ecosystems be sustained? In order to preserve our marine life, we need to learn more about these fragile communities and take better care of our oceans and coastlines. From the polar regions to the coral reefs we are surrounded by an incredible, complex and powerful series of marine systems that include dense kelp forests, salt marshes and mudflats, open oceans, hydrothermal vents, mangroves, rocky headlands, sandy shores, and the very sea pools that I explore with my family.
To continue my informal education of our local Marine Park, Byron and I have started to paddle around the nearby rocky point in Byron's sea kayak. With nothing but pure muscle power, we will explore deeper waters than we could ever reach on our surfboards. We will snorkel and photograph creatures and come home to search for their names from an online encyclopaedia of marine organisms. We will document our finds and share with you our images from time to time. We will continue to collect rubbish from our beaches and recycle whatever materials we can.
In order to more accurately record the local marine life, we have just ordered a Go Pro HD underwater camera. I cannot wait to share with you the sea creatures from the marine park at our front door (and perhaps the odd video of us surfing or diving to give you a decent, side-splitting belly laugh)... Conservation is as fun and educational as it is important.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on conservation and how you teach your children the importance of protecting our oceans and coastlines.
Bella xx
I'm excited to see what you discover, Bella! This is a topic close to my heart and I love sharing knowledge of marine conservation.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was about 5, I watched a documentary on the malicious Japanese whaling industry, and wept at the brutality of the act. It was then that my passion for conservation began - I held fundraisers and presentations at my school and donated to as many marine causes as my pocket money could allowed.
The oceans and its ecosystems are an incredible part of our planet - you are blessed to have it right on your doorstep. xx
I grew up on the beach, but have never spent much time diving or observing marine life so I'm so excited to see you footage from your GoPro! My partner has one and watching the under-water footage has to be one of my favourite uses for it :) Also this guy --> http://www.marktipple.com is teaching me a whole new meaning to underwater photography, amazing stuff :)
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