News
Celebrate World Oceans Day with the Marine Conservation Society
For the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the UK’s leading marine charity, every day is World Oceans Day, which means there’s always plenty to get involved with to safeguard and celebrate our ocean. Here’s a few ways to celebrate World Oceans Day today, 8th June, and beyond!
Save our Seagrass
Seagrass meadows growing in the shallow shores of the UK’s coast are extremely effective at absorbing CO2 dissolved in seawater, taking it up in its tissues and locking it into sediment in the seabed. Seagrass can absorb as much as 10% of the carbon buried in ocean sediment every year, making it a brilliant weapon in the fight to halt the warming of the planet. However, at least 35% of seagrasses worldwide have been lost or damaged over the last 40 years. MCS is on a mission to ‘Save Our Seagrass’ and protect these vital habitats for the future health of our ocean, and the planet.
Bring the #OCEANINDOORS
MCS research found that even when we’re far from the coast and ocean, we still feel deeply connected to it. 69% of people surveyed who visited the coast in the last year felt the benefit even when far from it and a further 77% of people who visited the sea in the last year felt happier. The enduring mental and physical health benefits which the ocean provides spurred MCS on to create #oceanindoors, bringing the benefits of the coast into the public’s homes during lockdown. With webinars, moments for mindfulness and recipes to try, there’s plenty of ways to stay connected to the ocean, even from afar.
Plastic Challenge Yourself
For the last six years, every July MCS tasks the public to try and go plastic-free for the whole month. With so much plastic still blighting the coastline and polluting the ocean, small changes individuals can make will have a huge impact on the health of the sea. This year, the charity is asking people to set their own Plastic Challenge and share their journey along the way. Sign up, #PlasticChallenge yourself and stop the tide of plastic entering our ocean. For tips, inspiration and support from the plastic-free community, visit the Plastic Challenge site.
Stop Ocean Threads
For every load of laundry washed, as many as 700,000 microfibres can flow into our water systems. An estimated four trillion individual microfibres are lost from our clothes every year in the UK, with many of them ending up in the ocean and on our beaches. MCS wants to ‘Stop Ocean Threads’ by requiring washing machines to include, by law, filters which will reduce the amount of microfibres flowing into the ocean.
To learn about more of the Marine Conservation Society’s ongoing work to celebrate and safeguard the ocean, please visit the charity’s website, become a member or follow along on social.
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Gear News
Introducing the RS Series Drysuit from DYNAMICNORD
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
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