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Our love of the seaside is often shared with our canine companions. Dogs get so excited when they investigate the abundance of smells, run wild on the sand and jump into the white crest of the waves. Unfortunately, this incredible environment and the vast array of creatures that live within it is under threat. During National Marine Week, we’d like to ask that you join us in doing our part to help preserve our ocean life.
National Marine Week aims to raise awareness of the issues facing marine life, and to celebrate the vast array of biodiversity that our local seas call home. As we all know, pollution, climate change and unsustainable fishing practices are compromising the health of our marine ecosystems. The oceans cover over 70% of our planet and actually provide over half of the oxygen we breathe, as well as absorbing nearly a third of our carbon emissions, so it’s important we act before the damage becomes permanent.
The deterioration of the marine environment will have a drastic impact on our planet as whole. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer size of this problem, and to feel helpless, however there are little steps that you can take to reduce your personal impact.
1. Bin The Poo
Bin your dog’s waste and keep an eye on any plastic or toys you take to the seaside to ensure that they don’t float away and add to the 8 million tonnes of plastic that ends up in our oceans every year.
2. Ditch the Toxic Treatment
Consider using an oral flea and worm treatment rather than a spot on. There’s evidence of fipronil from dogs’ spot on treatments in our rivers, which leaches into the sea. As it breaks down it produces toxins which affect aquatic life.
3. Make it Sustainable
Ensure that any fish contained in your dog’s food is sustainably sourced, such as the yummy fish in our 100% natural dog treats or the wild fish in our brand new and improved wet food.
4. Be Mindful of Wildlife
Respect local wildlife and give them space. Observe them from a distance, particularly if it is nesting or pupping season. There are some seabirds that are ground nesting, and dogs will need to be kept on leads when near nesting sites.
5. Say No to Single Use Plastic
Try to limit your consumption of single-use plastic, and dispose of it responsibly. Make little swaps to reusable items and opt for products in recyclable packaging when possible.
6. Pick it Up
Litter pick on your way back to the car. If everyone picked up the odd bit of fishing line, or washed up rubbish, we could make such a difference to a local environment. Did you hear about the dogs who have been trained to pick up litter on their walks?
The only thing we should be leaving on a beach is paw prints and foot prints. We are all guardians of our natural world as we too are nature, and not separate from it. Sometimes what we can do as individuals may seem tiny, but if we all made these tiny changes, they would add up to something spectacular.
There are lots of events happening cross the UK to help celebrate National Marine Week, from wildlife safaris and rock pool Shore-nanigans, to beach cleans and wildlife surveys. Visit The Wildlife Trusts to find out more
There are lots of events happening cross the UK to help celebrate National Marine Week, from wildlife safaris and rock pool Shore-nanigans, to beach cleans and wildlife surveys. Visit The Wildlife Trusts to find out more
