Ocean Wise is a Canadian-based nonprofit organization devoted to protecting and restoring the World’s oceans, with a head office located in Vancouver BC.
Through research, Ocean Wise has documented the importance of kelp restoration, not only as a superfood, but more importantly as a carbon capturing plant, benefiting the climate and ecosystem including fisheries. Government agencies and food businesses are encouraged to support seeding and sea forestation. Ocean Wise also keeps a data base of whale sightings and the occurrence of cetacean sightings and sea turtles in BC waters.
Most recently, Ocean Wise launched a new program to reduce the use of plastics in the food and beverage industry. Plastic straws, cups, and wrappers regularly end up in our oceans and on our beaches, about 13-million tons each year. Ocean Wise data indicates that half of the common types of litter found on shorelines comes from the food and beverage industry. This new Ocean Wise Plastic Reduction Program pairs ocean health experts with business owners in the food industry to identify ways to reduce the use of plastics by formulating a sustainable plan. Participating businesses are recognized by Ocean Wise, acknowledging their efforts to reduce unnecessary plastics. This new program began in Squamish and has spread further afield in the effort to help food and beverage businesses across Canada reduce plastic waste.
For more information about Ocean Wise, see Ocean.org
Photo Credit: Ocean Wise
