A Force for Change
WCA Partner ‘Love The Oceans‘ was recently selected by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, (@sussexroyal), as one of 15 Forces for Change. During August Sussex Royal will be featuring 15 grassroots non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that contribute to the global community. Love the Oceans are incredibly thankful to be given the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience and are honoured to be featured alongside other inspiring NGOs who do an amazing job of giving back to their communities. During August Love the Oceans will share highlights of their research and community outreach. Spreading the word of their work, transitioning fishermen from unsustainable shark fishing towards a more sustainable future for both the oceans and humans.
SONGS Project
During August and September 2019 Love The Oceans will be taking part in the second year of data collection for the international SONGS project. The project is studying the acoustic behaviour of humpback whales in the southwestern Indian Ocean during their breeding season. The project started in 2018 as a collaboration between 15 organisations and universities, covering six countries in the Western Indian Ocean; Comoros, Kenya, La Réunion, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa.
Preliminary results show exchanges between populations along the Eastern African coastline. Over the next three years, recordings will study the cultural transmissions and evolution of humpback whale song in the area.
Launch of a Hope Spot
In November 2019 Love The Oceans will be launching a Hope Spot in collaboration with Mission Blue. Hope Spots are special places that are critical to the health of the ocean — Earth’s blue heart. Hope Spots are about recognising, empowering and supporting individuals and communities around the world in their efforts to protect the ocean. While about 12 percent of the land is now under some form of protection (as national parks etc.), less than six percent of the ocean is protected in any way. Hope Spots allow us to plan for the future and look beyond current marine protected areas (MPAs).
The next generation of ocean stewards
Part of Love The Oceans’ work is educating a generation of ocean stewards about marine conservation and teaching children to swim so they can enjoy the marine environment safely and get inspired to protect it. The team at Love The Oceans are currently raising money to build a community pool. If you can help spread the word and donate that would hugely help their mission.
You can do so here: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/lovetheoceansangelswim
