Be kind to the ocean

We all love a day out by the ocean, especially now we’ve got kids, right? I don’t know about you, but ever since having my daughter, Lila, I’ve also been way more aware of the impact those family days out can have. A simple day at the beach now comes with way more stuff: way more toys, way more sun creams and WAY more snacks! And then I hear stats like ‘by 2050 our oceans will contain more plastic than fish’ and I feel all kinds of guilty: that’s not an ocean I want her to inherit when she grows up. I get it, there are enough things to remember to pack and to worry about when enjoying a beautiful day out by the waves. So without adding dramas or complicated routines, how can we be just a little more sustainable, adopting some quick and easy green swaps and ecofriendly habits next time we visit the beach?

Pick up your rubbish.... and three bits extra!

I’m sure you’re all over part one.... leaving even just a chip bag, or plastic bottle can have way worse an effect on marine life than we think. Turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, and they do not make for a healthy, nutritious lunch, and much worse can result in serious damage. But did you think about part two? We’re proud to support an incredible Aussie initiative called Take 3 for the Sea. The idea is dead simple... each time you visit the beach, pick up 3 bits of rubbish you see, even if they’re just little scraps of plastic. Get the kids involved, make it a race, make it a game or make it a competition as to who can get the most... you’d be amazed at the impact if everyone simply took 3 for the sea!

Go easy on the cheap, plastic toys

Digging, scooping, making sandcastles... it’s half of the fun! And since so many toys get broken, lost or ‘borrowed’ by other beach goers, it can be tempting to go cheap, break and buy often. But it’s definitely a false economy... especially when it comes to the sea! Consider buying beach toys made from more eco-friendly materials like silicone, or even recycled plastic. They may cost a bit more but they’re often made to be better quality and durability to compensate for the higher cost.

Use reef-safe sunscreen

It is estimated that 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the oceans each year. And this doesn’t just come from the sunscreen washed directly off in the sea. The sunscreen that you rinse down the drain when you shower can eventually find its way into the ocean. In addition, aerosol sprays can spread sunscreen particles across the sand. When the tide comes in, these chemicals can get washed out to sea. Without getting into too much of a science lesson, there are physical (mineral) sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. It’s chemical sunscreens that are most often a problem, as some of the main chemicals used in sunscreens are harmful to corals and other marine life. The worst culprit is Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), but many of these chemicals can lead to coral bleaching and cause other damage and abnormalities to our reef eco-systems. But never fear, reef-safe sunscreen is a thing, and many of them are certified safe for kids aged 6 months +. Some of the Aussie brands we love include Little Urchin, Sun Butter, and Baby Bum. Or look for sunscreens that are ‘reeffriendly’ or have the ‘reef-safe’ symbol on them.

Exploring rock pools, picking up shells and collecting crabs has got to be one of the most wonderful innocent childhood pleasures of the beach. But as most parents can attest, clumsy little fingers are not always the gentlest! The coastal eco-systems are really delicate, and there’s really no way of telling if that anemone you poke, or hermit crab you move, is going to be OK. Encouraging your little ones to look, but not touch, is always the best rule of thumb.

Shop ocean-friendly brands

In Australia we have a special relationship with the ocean. Enjoying a day out at the beach seems to be a national pastime! So thankfully there are so many smart entrepreneurs who have created brands that allow us to have a positive ocean impact. Seek out Australian owned brands that are making things that are reef-safe, made of recycled ocean plastic, give a percentage back to the oceans and more.

Have fun teaching your little ones to love and respect the ocean

A day at the ocean should be lots of fun for everyone! And there are so many things you can do that only add to the fun but create a fun ocean education or conservation lesson as an added bonus! Take a home-made creature identification board when you visit the rock pools, make a game out of ‘Taking 3 for the Sea’ or see who can spot the most beautiful and colourful shell. Our little ones are such (sea) sponges at this age, and when we teach them young to love and respect the ocean, the more likely they are to take care of it when they grow up. And that’s almost the greatest legacy we can leave for the next generation of water babies, both above and below the waves.

By Jessica Page, Founder of Little Fishy and plastic-frustrated, ocean-loving new mum. Little Fishy swimwear and toys are designed from the outset to be as ‘ocean-friendly’ as possible with fabric manufactured from recycled plastic bottles. 10% of profits go to an incredible organisation called Take 3 for the Sea who organise ocean clean ups and educate Aussie kids about plastic pollution and ocean conservation. www.littlefishyswim.com.au