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If you are in the marine business, enjoy boating or are a watersports enthusiast, the Green Blue has practical advice and information to help you think and act in an environmentally conscious way. Inland or coastal, individual or boating business, there is something here for you.
By taking a few simple steps, you can keep future costs down and sustain high quality water and local environments. Backed by the British Marine Federation and the Royal Yachting Association, The Green Blue is testing out practical projects, conducting research and providing advice, to help recreational boating go green.
Combining a trip to check up on Salcombes recycling scheme Dan Reading, The Green Blue's recycling officer visited Marine Discovery to study the steps they were taking to minimise their environmental impact and the plans they had for the future.
Marine discovery is WISE accredited and is based in Penzance where they take visitors out on their boat to watch marine wildlife. Duncan and Hannah, the owners of the business are trained teachers and the trips have a high educational content which aims to inspire and enthuse people about the marine environment with the aim of increasing awareness of the natural world and inspiring a conservation ethos.
The company recently invested in a jet drive boat eliminating any possibility of the propeller harming wildlife. Marine Discovery realise that using diesel to power the boat is not sustainable and are hoping to operate with recycled vegetable oil when it is logistically possible. For now the company offsets their carbon footprint with tree planting.
Marine Discovery work closely with marine charities in particular Marine Connection, contributing money to aid marine conservation issues worldwide. In 07-08 financial year they raised close to £6000 for marine charities.
Of Particular interest to Dan was the fact that all waste produced by the trips was kept by the pair and recycled where possible. In addition to this they print all of their literature on recycled paper using vegetable based inks.
The business is also opening an education centre in conjunction with The Marine Connection with the aim of reaching a wider audience with their marine conservation message. It is hoped that in the future they will also be able to offer educational packages to local schools through the centre.
Finally Dan was lucky enough to see his first sunfish, Duncan explained that on their trips they regularly see basking sharks, dolphins, seal, sunfish and even turtles.
For more info see www.marinediscovery.co.uk
Over the past month Dan Reading, The Green Blue's recycling officer has been working alongside Dean and Reddyhoff Marinas to create a new recycling service at Haslar Marina.
Dan's role, funded by the Environment Agency, requires him to work with a variety of marine businesses/clubs to create new or revolutionise existing recycling facilities.
Dan choose Haslar Marina as his first case study to exemplfy the potential to recycle the majority of boat waste and also save money.
To celebrate the launch of the recycling service and to show their support, The Green Blue's Ambassador Dee Cafferi will be teaming up with Alex Thomson and Brian Thompson to visit the marina on the 4th August for a photo shoot and to test out the new bins with some recyclable waste.
The Marina is set to start using the recycling bins on the 1st August. Boaters at the marina will be able to recycle; paper & cardboard, cans, plastic bottles, all plastic packaging, glass, tetra paks (juice cartons), foil and telephone directories.
The photo shoot will be used by The Green Blue to promote their recycling theme at the Southampton Boat Show.
The BMF and RYA held a joint reception at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 9th July. The event, sponsored by Conservative MP Anne McIntosh, was themed around the Draft Marine Bill and The Green Blue.
There was a high level of attendance, with over 25 MPs and Peers from all political parties dropping by to chat with RYA, BMF and The Green Blue staff. Guests included Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP, and the Shipping Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP. In addition, the event attracted stakeholders from government departments such as the Department for Transport, BERR Marine Unit, Health & Safety Executive and DEFRA.
The reception heard from Anne McIntosh, Lord Greenway – in his capacity as Chair of the Draft Marine Bill, and Mike Golding. Mike spoke of his passion for environmental issues and the positive role the Green Blue was taking in educating those who use the sea to reduce their impact.
The reception offered the chance for BMF, RYA and The Green Blue representatives to communicate their interest in and concerns over the Marine Bill and the marine environment to a wide range of stakeholders. It also served as a positive platform for maintaining and expanding the profile of the organisations in Parliament.
