World Oceans Day

 June 8 is World Oceans Day!

Oh thank goodness because I thought it was the 6th and hadn't written this post yet.

Here's the link.... And to quote, This is "our planet’s biggest celebration of the ocean held every June 8th. "

And so...what?: Well their suggestions include: "This year, we encourage you to reach out to young people in your community and help inspire them. The future of ocean conservation is in their hands!"
Yeah, I have a word or two for the brat who chases my seagulls!

More details.... Please check it out!

One catchphrase is "Wear Blue and Tell Two!"

Probably I'll be wearing blue---or aqua or some such ocean-y color. And I am always nagging about ocean/ beach awareness so I should be able to pull a thought out to share...hmmmm...
Well, here is one, something new to worry about!
Seahorses! We loooove seahorses, right? So adorable.

collage art from
black baroque on etsy

  
I very rarely find them on my beach: this one was plastic so I brought him home.

 
Here is another little soul, no longer living...

 
And a journal page with the only other seahorse skeleton I have ever found. And a tiny plastic charm also found on the beach....If you look closely, even the stamp has a seahorse, a red one.

from my summer journal


 So I was surpised to read in my local paper that these creatures colonize eelgrass seaweed beds nearby! I thought they were tropical animals only, but no! Some live locally. And they are in danger of extinction, due to loss of habitate and careless "harvesting"!

Yes, people harvest them...alive! Some are captured in commercial fishing nets and discarded. And some are taken because stupid humans want them as "pets"! or beachy decor! (I guess they let the little guys die?!) 

  

wonderful driftwood seahorse
fromOur Boathouse

My specimens were definitely dead and dry; I'd never take a live creature from the ocean. Nope, not even a fish.

 

The Newsday article went on to say that seahorses are social creatures (that argues brains and emotions, does it not? despite their tiny size!); it says they mate for life and if they are captured and put in aquariums alone that they become very sad. Ooooh.

also from black baroque, link above

  So, back to my post of a few days ago:

Please respect our beach and ocean creatures! This is their home; we are only visitors. Please be a welcome one.

 

Happy Oceans Day!

coastal collage in my journal

       love

               lizzy

****gone to the beach****