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ALL AT SEA SEPTEMBER 2021
Shootin’ the Breeze Q
debris booms along waterways where there is a clear build-up of debris - we can start to change the effects. Education also plays a big role in the fight to save our oceans.
We catch up with Chris Reeder, regional business development manager at Ecocoast.
Q
TELL US ABOUT THE WORK ECOCOAST DOES?
CR: Ecocoast designs and manufactures products for the protection of coastlines and waterways, with a global client base and local representation in five continents.
Q
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
CR: I look after the sales and business development activities in the UK and Europe, be it introducing our scope of supply to potential new clients or attending site visits with clients during the installation of our products.
Q
WHAT IS ECOCOAST PLANNING FOR THE COMING MONTHS?
CR: Now in more than 50 countries, Ecocoast is eyeing further expansion internationally to bring products for a better marine environment to achieve its mission of solving the world’s most pressing marine and waterway problems. Ecocoast offers products to suit every stage of the coastal, marine and waterway development lifecycle – from development, infrastructure and protection, to operation and maintenance. We are planning on increasing our global footprint even further with the goal of being in 100 countries by 2030.
Q
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CURRENT THREATS TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT?
CR: The marine environment is facing unprecedented change as a result of direct human activity and climate change. Marine pollution is a global challenge, which needs to be addressed from multiple angles, both behavioural and technological, and from prevention to restoration. The marine environment is under threat from climate change, pollution and over-fishing. We must be proactive in taking advantage of new technology opportunities to drive change. Based on current projections these challenges, if not met,
will have major implications for global biodiversity, infrastructure, human health and wellbeing, and the productivity of the marine economy.
Q
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DID NOT TAKE ACTION TO SAVE THE OCEANS?
CR: The oceans will rise due to global warming, increasing the risk of flooding of coastlines and increasing levels on inland waterways, putting millions of homes at risk. Ocean warming of 1.2 – 3.2°C, depending on emissions, is projected by the year 2100. Evidence shows that this causes a decline in coldwater fish species, coral bleaching and is likely to lead to new species in unfamiliar waters. The loss of coral reefs is more important than we realise as this destroys marine life that depends on the coral reefs for protection. Reefs occupy just one per cent of the world’s marine environment, but they provide a home to a quarter of marine species. Plastic in the ocean is projected to treble between 2015 and 2025. Chemical pollution is an ongoing issue, as pollutants can persist in the oceans for decades after their use is restricted by legislation. The list of chemicals deemed to be persistent organic pollutants continues to grow. These issues go beyond biodiversity damage and will monumentally change the way humans live. The answer is that we must save the ocean to save ourselves.
WHAT ARE SOME SIMPLE THINGS THAT YOU AND I CAN BE DOING TO HELP?
CR: Recycle more. Be eco-wise with purchasing power. Buy products that use less packaging, are made from recycled packaging or can be returned and reused. Also, buy products that are biodegradable or plant-based, such as cleaning products and laundry detergents that will not pollute the waterways. www.ecocoast.com
Log screen booms help to maintain power generation at hydro dams and other critical sites, where the amount of floating debris can be exceptional
Ecobarrier Foam Booms at Hiltonia Beach Abu Dhabi form part of the coastal protection works
Q
WHICH NEW TECHNOLOGIES DO YOU THINK WILL BE MOST IMPORTANT IN HELPING TO SAVE OUR OCEANS?
CR: In my view, the most important technologies would be those that do not rely as heavily on oilbased products, as typically used in plastics, with a shift in focus to more biodegradable materials. This will always come at a cost, so if we can prevent such plastics reaching the wider oceans – by installing our
Ecobarrier Silt Curtains are designed to contain the fine particles of silt that are discharged into the water from dredging, construction or reclamation activities. Seen here in Abu Dhabi
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