If you’re anything like me, the ocean holds a special place in your heart. Whether it’s the calming sound of the waves or the vibrant marine life that calls it home, there’s something undeniably magical about the sea. But with plastic pollution, coral bleaching, and overfishing threatening our oceans, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start helping.
Trust me, I get it—I felt the same way at first.
The truth is, you don’t have to be an expert to make a difference in ocean conservation. It’s all about small steps, building awareness, and making conscious choices that add up over time. So, if you’re not sure where to begin, here’s how you can start getting involved, even if you don’t have a clue what ocean conservation really means.
What is Ocean Conservation?
Let’s start with the basics. Ocean conservation is about protecting and preserving our oceans and marine life. This includes tackling issues like plastic pollution, protecting coral reefs, reducing carbon emissions that contribute to ocean warming, and supporting sustainable fishing practices.
The good news? You don’t need to understand every scientific detail to get started. It’s all about making small, everyday choices that help keep our oceans healthy for future generations.
Simple Steps to Start Helping the Ocean
Here are some easy ways to get started with ocean conservation:
1. Reduce Your Plastic Use
Plastic is one of the biggest threats to our oceans. It’s estimated that 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, harming marine life and ecosystems. The first step you can take is reducing single-use plastics in your daily life. Here are a few swaps I recommend:
- Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones.
- Say no to plastic straws (opt for metal or bamboo alternatives).
- Bring your own reusable bags when you shop.
- Choose products with less plastic packaging when possible.
2. Choose Sustainable Seafood—or Avoid It Altogether
What you eat has a huge impact on the ocean. Overfishing and harmful practices like trawling and ghost nets are devastating marine ecosystems and wiping out species. By making more informed decisions about the seafood you consume, you can help reduce this impact.
If you eat seafood, choose sustainably sourced options to avoid contributing to overfishing. Websites like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) provide valuable guidance on making sustainable seafood choices. Alternatively, you can choose to reduce or eliminate seafood from your diet entirely—both actions make a difference in preserving marine life for future generations.
3. Educate Yourself
Start learning about ocean conservation and the impact of plastic pollution. There are plenty of documentaries, articles, and social media accounts that focus on educating people about the health of our oceans. The more you know, the more you can do to help. Plus, knowledge is power when it comes to making informed choices.
Here are a few great documentaries to check out:
- A Plastic Ocean
- Racing Extinction
- Chasing Coral
- Mission Blue
4. Support Brands That Give Back
Look for eco-friendly brands that are committed to ocean conservation (like Salt & Skye!). When you support businesses that use recycled materials, ethical practices, and give back to the planet, you’re helping drive change with your purchase power.
At Salt & Skye, we make sure every order contributes to ocean conservation efforts, like removing plastic or planting corals and mangroves. Small steps like these make a huge impact over time.
5. Join a Local Beach Clean-Up
You don’t need to be near the ocean to make a difference, but if you live close to the coast, why not join a local beach clean-up? These events are a great way to see firsthand how much plastic ends up on our shores—and you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping to keep the beaches and oceans clean.
If you’re not near a coast, you can organise a river or park clean-up in your local area. Every little bit helps, and those small actions prevent trash from reaching the ocean.
Want to Do More?
There are fantastic organisations dedicated to restoring and protecting our oceans. Coral Guardian and Coral Gardeners are working to plant new corals, helping rebuild these critical ecosystems. You can also support Only One—an initiative that removes plastic from the ocean and plants mangrove trees that protect coastlines and absorb carbon.
I personally use Only One and can vouch for its impact—it’s a simple way to take action with real results.
If you’re ready to take your commitment to the next level, there are opportunities to get directly involved. I’ve volunteered with the Indo Ocean Project and TRACC in Borneo, both of which do incredible work in coral planting, ocean research, and turtle conservation. Programs like these help rebuild what’s been lost and give you the chance to make a hands-on difference.
Whether you adopt a turtle, support coral planting, or volunteer your time, there are so many ways to contribute to ocean health.
Why Every Little Action Counts
I know it can feel like one person’s actions won’t make a big difference, but trust me—every little step matters. When I first started learning about ocean conservation, it was easy to feel overwhelmed by how much there is to fix. But then I realised it’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about doing what you can, where you are, with what you have.
It could be as simple as cutting down on single-use plastics or choosing brands that align with your values. Over time, these small actions add up, especially when more and more people join in. That’s why I created Salt & Skye—to build a community of like-minded people who care about making a positive impact on the world, starting with the ocean.
How Salt & Skye Gives Back
At Salt & Skye, our love for the ocean is at the core of everything we do. We use eco-friendly fabrics made from things like old fishing nets and ocean waste because we believe in creating swimwear that doesn’t contribute to the problem. And for every order, we contribute to ocean conservation projects, like removing plastic from the ocean and restoring coral reefs.
We’re not just making swimwear—we’re helping protect the places we love most. And together, I believe we can make a real difference. So whether you’re swapping out plastic straws or supporting eco-friendly brands, remember that every little action counts for the future of our oceans.