With the start of the new season rapidly approaching we are going to kick it off with one of our Dive against Debris. These are our fun underwater cleanups that are organized every other month. They help to combat the build up of trash underwater in our favorite dive sites in Manuel Antonio.
For the first one of the season we thought we would kick it off with a big bang. As a special incentive to encourage our eco warriors, in addition to helping the ocean, you get the chance to win two Jack Johnson concert tickets in San Jose the following weekend. How awesome huh?
So…Jack Johnson?
In case you didn’t know, Jack Johnson is a singer-songwriter from the US who is active in environmentalism and sustainability. Very often with a focus on the world’s oceans. We are teaming up with his social action network “All at once” along with other non-profits in Costa Rica including Raising coral and Operation rich coast to be able to offer this opportunity to our eco warriors.
As well as our underwater cleanup there is a coastal clean up and an exciting music event. At each of the events there will be the chance to win a pair of tickets.
So, what do you need to do?
If you are an avid ocean diver and want to join us on our underwater clean up you sign up by sending us an email here. In addition you will need to pay a donation to our foundation. If you have all of your own dive gear the donation is $32 ($30 + 5% Paypal fee) if you need to rent dive gear it is $42 ($40 plus 5% paypal fee) You will then need to arrive at the Marina the morning of the 2nd November for the start of the event. Places are limited for the underwater clean up so signing up soon is advised.
If you are not a diver but still want to make a difference you can sign up for the coastal cleanup or join us for the event at Selinas. Both are that same day in the evening where there will be live music and the raffle to win the tickets.
We look forward to seeing you at the start of our exciting season.
Want to sign up? You can sign up here with your contact details and donation.
Hello Ocean Lovers! Here at Marine Conservation Costa Rica, ocean cleanups are a common part of our monthly activities. Diving for Debris has been a well known and largely participated event. It has left divers feeling both accomplished and hopeful for a healthier underwater ecosystem.
We need the natural cleaners of the reef
But are we the only ones working to keep our ocean clean? If that were true, our reefs and the health of the sea would have been inevitably doomed long ago. No matter how much effort we as concerned humans have put in to “undoing” what the human race has already carelessly destroyed. Fortunately, there are other marine species who work full time jobs to filter and clean the ocean long before we were ever brought to the attention to do so.
Invertebrate filter feeders
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Sponges are aquatic invertebrates that many divers take a moment to stop and admire. What you may not know is that they are not just interesting to look at. They also play an important role in the health of its surrounded area. Sponges filter large amounts of water and can produce up to three times the amount of oxygen they consume.
Algae attackers
Parrotfish, otherwise known as a “keystone species”, spend the majority of their time feeding. They do this by using their beak-like mouths to scrape off algae and dead coral. If you listen closely, you can hear them doing so underwater. In addition, they excrete what they have consumed in which we call sand. Parrotfish can produce up to 320 kilograms of sand per year!
The Marine dentist
Cleaner shrimp are not just little crustaceans that are fun to hunt in tiny crevices. They are sometimes referred to as, and what I like to call them, “Marine Dentists”. These shrimp do a great service of performing rock dances and cleaning their predators teeth. Pretty brave souls if you ask me!
It is our responsibility to co-exist on this planet and take care of what nature has given us. We are all included in a chain and each species plays a vital role. These are only a select few marine species that consistently work hard to keep our oceans and our home both healthy and happy! We must continue to help our ocean friends by doing our part as well.
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