Help
You don't have to be a marine biologist or a full-time conservationist to help save our seas. In fact, the biggest impact often comes from the small things that we all can do. Whether it's helping out in a local beach cleanup or educating your friends and family about the importance of the marine environment, every little bit helps. Here are some ideas for helping to save our seas:

Donate to our work

  • One of the most effective ways you can get involved in what we do is to make a donation to SOSF. All money received goes directly to the projects we sponsor.
  • Our projects are all dedicated to saving the oceans, whether this is through conservation, awareness, research or education so you can be sure that your contribution will make a difference.

Be a wise consumer

  • As consumers we have the opportunity to be the biggest conservationists just by the choices we make when we go shopping.
  • Always buy sustainably sourced seafood. Check these guides to help you make an informed choice:
  • 100 million sharks are killed every year, and the desire for shark fins is fueling this demand. Never buy shark fin soup and boycott any restaurant you see serving it.
  • Support initiatives and legistlation to end shark finning such as the petition to end shark finning here: notonourmenu.com

Respect our seas and those who live there

  • At SOSF we love to dive beneath the waves and interact with marine life. However we know that as guardians of the ocean we have to respect and protect it in order for it to survive and flourish.
  • This means not only diving in a responsible manner, but interacting with any wildlife we come across in an appropriate way.
  • Wise Ways to Watch Wildlife is an SOSF sponsored DVD showcasing the best ways to observe marine wildlife around the coast of the UK.
  • Project AWARE was formed by the SCUBA diving organisation PADI, Project AWARE (Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education), exists to stress divers' roles in preserving the marine environment.

Connect to the ocean

  • Though it might remain unseen, whatever actions we humans take on land has an effect somewhere in the ocean; we protect what we care about, so we encourage you to learn about these interactions using these resources.
  • sosebooks is our dedicated access site for all of our electronic publications. This includes All the Way to the Ocean, a children's book produced in conjunction with SOSF, that demonstrates the direct connection between what we do on land and what occurs in the ocean.
  • thankyouocean.org is part of Californian state-wide campaign in the US to instill a sense of personal connection and responsibility for the ocean and its coasts.
  • Google Ocean is part of the Google Earth mapping tool, allowing you to explore the world' oceans like never before: dive the Mariana Trench, learn about ocean observations, and explore the seas with experts from the National Geographic and the BBC.

Get involved with the seas and make a difference

  • Volunteer at a marine conservation organisation or visit your local aquarium and get involved with the ocean.
  • SOSF Shark Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
    • Our specialist Shark Centre in Cape Town provides incredible opportunities for conservation outreach programmes with local school groups, as well as housing exhibits and cutting edge scientists.
  • MCS, UK
    • The Marine Conservation Society is a UK based charity that supports the protection of Britain's seas and coasts. They also organise various opportunities to get involved with marine conservation. Explore their website for more details.
  • National Lobster Hatchery, UK
    • The SOSF supported NLH actively contributes and promotes responsible management of coastal marine resources through its unique lobster restocking project. They have an incredible visitor's centre and are dedicated to raising awareness about the sustainable use of marine resources.
  • London Aquarium, UK
    • SOSF and London Aquarium are working together on a number of exciting projects to spread the message of marine conservation. 
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium, USA
    • One of the world's most conservation minded aquariums. Explore their website and then pay them a visit!

Reduce your CO2 emissions

  • Not only do CO2 emmisions contribute to global warming and rising ocean temperatures but they also affect the oceans in other ways.
  • A third of CO2 admitted into the atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans, increasing its acidity, and potentially threatening many species.
  • Reduce your CO2 emissions, and help the oceans as well as the atmosphere.
  • Read about the SOSF supported researcher Jason Hall-Spencer and his work at the University of Plymouth which is investigating the potential effects of more acidic seas.