The local fishermen have difficulty catching anything, the corals are no longer as colourful as they used to be and the water is no longer as clear. In the last 15 years, I have travelled the world, visited every continent and sailed every ocean except Antarctica. I've walked on remote beaches on islands hundreds of kilometres from a mainland. Whenever I can, I also explore the seabed.
I have dived the underwater world in Tonga in the middle of the South Pacific, on the Galapagos Islands, in the Mediterranean, in East Africa, Australia and in the Caribbean. Everywhere I go, I am confronted with an imbalance in nature, for which we humans are responsible and which is to the detriment of the ocean. Plastic and marine litter are omnipresent, coral reefs are bleaching, endangered fish species are on the menu of many restaurants or available in the supermarket. Most of us only see the coasts and the glistening surface of the water when the sun shines, but when you are out on or in the sea, you are constantly reminded of the damage we are all doing together.
Also interesting:
I am not a scientist, but I explore, observe and learn every day. My explorations have shown me the challenges our oceans are facing. I have danced with manta rays in a plastic soup and watched them suck in plastic instead of plankton. I have seen fish eating plastic bags. I've had plastic stuck to my surfboard fins and freediving fins. On various dinghy trips, we had to stop the boat because a plastic bag had become entangled in the propeller. In the middle of the Atlantic, I fished for water samples that appeared to be clear but actually contained 47 plastic particles.
Hundreds of cans on the seabed
On the Andaman Sea, I had to zigzag to avoid the hundreds of trawler boats. I have cleaned beaches on uninhabited islands. I have stared at floating plastic parades in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the South Pacific and the Atlantic, and fished a plastic bag instead of a fish on the high seas. I built castles out of plastic sand in the Azores and Greece. I have looked for fish while free diving and found none, even in places where they are supposed to be plentiful.
At dinner, the menu includes shark, snapper, tuna, swordfish, salmon and crab. The people who catch, serve, order and eat these fish often don't realise that the species are exploited, threatened with extinction or contaminated with toxins. I didn't know either. I am horrified when I dive into the ocean and see hundreds of cans lying on the seabed, but unfortunately not a single fish. In the mangrove forests of the Caribbean, the oyster fisherman, who has been harvesting oysters for 50 years, now has a hard time finding them. I wrote part of this book in Turkey, right by the sea. As always, I jumped into the sea to explore it. Two days out of three I didn't see any fish.
These are just a few examples of the man-made consequences of climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing and changes in biodiversity that I can't get out of my head. I'm curious to see what the sea will look like when our children and grandchildren start snorkelling.
The American marine researcher Sylvia Earle says: "Our actions over the next ten years will determine the state of the ocean for the next 10,000 years."
Our actions are part of the solution
We have some problems to deal with. The good news is that the oceans are resilient and can be rebalanced, but they need our help to do so. Many proposals are being discussed, but their implementation is in the hands of governments, policy makers and businesses. Unfortunately, we just don't have the time to wait for the oceans to be prioritised in their agenda. This makes it all the more important that we ourselves make conscious decisions to improve our ecological footprint for the good of the entire planet. We are all responsible, and only together can we protect it and avert the threat.
Our actions can be part of the solution. After all, governments and companies react to the public's decisions. By making conscious choices as consumers, we can influence what will be on the market tomorrow. I hope that many fellow sailors will become more aware of the urgency of their actions, simply through the impressions they have gathered at sea. Because that's where it all starts: Awareness.
We can only change if we know where the problem lies in the first place. We are so used to doing things the way we do them that we don't even realise the impact of our actions. Just pay more attention to what happens around you in your daily life and how it can affect the environment.
Preparation is the key. For example, you can make a big difference by packing smartly for the sea. I've seen everything fall overboard: Hats, coffee machine parts, winch handles, fuel tanks, keys, spanners, screws, shackles, towels, pegs, bottles and thousands of polystyrene balls if the beanbag had a hole in it. You should not leave water bottles, sunglasses or caps lying around. Boats move and the wind blows. It is easy for things to accidentally fall overboard. If it happens to you despite all your caution, you have an excellent opportunity to practise "man overboard".
You are what you eat
Research is the be-all and end-all. Marine protected areas are often indicated in nautical charts and pilot books. Anyone sailing through such a protected area should find out about these areas in advance so that they are prepared to discover magnificent animal and plant species and share them with the world. Or to track down an illegal fishing vessel and help enforce the laws at sea. You should do extensive research on the destination you are travelling to. What about waste recycling? It is useful to download blogs and travel guides so that you have the information to hand offline when the internet is not available.
There is so much we still don't know about the ocean. Collecting data for research is a logistical and economic challenge, especially outside coastal areas. As sailors, we are already out there and can reach places far from civilisation. Why not make your sightings of wildlife, pollution and illegal fishing part of something bigger?
Our observations on the ground can be extremely valuable in gaining a better insight into what is happening in the sea and in the animal world. The more we know, the better solutions we can develop together. On the website oceannomads.co you can find initiatives that welcome our contributions and observations from the sea.
It is often said: "You are what you eat." I can certainly agree with that. But it's not just that. You are also what you buy, use, package and give yourself. To make a difference and live sustainably, you don't just need solar panels on your boat or roof, although that can be a good investment - thanks to my solar panel, I was able to write this book.
Responsible living is all about how you think, buy, plan and prepare - and where. Whether you're travelling the world or going to the market around the corner, thinking ahead helps. Where do the things around you come from, how were they made and by whom? And where do things go after we dispose of them? If we start to question and sharpen our detective eye, we can organise our lives in such a way that the negative impact on our environment is reduced. And I guarantee that it's fun to change things for the better, especially when you find out for yourself where the problem lies.
Pass on relevant information
A sailing adventure gives you the opportunity to pause, think, reflect and plan the way forward. I recommend everyone who sets sail to create stories, photo collages and videos and to share their travel experiences with the whole world. Sailing is a journey of inspiration, learning and gaining many new insights. Sharing the magic of the ocean with others will inspire, enlighten and raise awareness. You can help change attitudes and behaviour by sharing your experiences.
My online portal is called theoceanpreneur.com. WiFi permitting, I share adventure and conservation updates on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. I hope to inspire adventures and help people to get active.
More and more sailors are sailing the seas using apps on their mobile phones or tablets. There are numerous sailing platforms where you can enter data about a shipwreck, a fantastic viewpoint, a happy hour or an anchoring situation. Relevant information should be passed on to other sailors so that they do not anchor directly on a seaweed bed or become a source of disturbance in the marine reserve with a noisy wakeboarding session. Reports on anchorages are particularly helpful in pointing out bad practices and advising against them.
Everyone should consider what they can do with their skills and resources to make this world a better place. Those who can read, write, speak and travel are blessed with the ability to do great things for people and the planet. Together you can sometimes do even more, which is why you should join forces with other people or organisations. Getting involved in a marine conservation organisation or a project in your own community can also make a big difference. The superpowers we have make it possible.
"Our problems are man-made, so they can also be solved by man. And man can be as great as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond man," said John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States.
Raising awareness in the local community
You should support the politicians who are doing something about climate change and use your right to vote. There are many great things being done for the ocean, and by supporting marine conservation groups and their initiatives, we are also making an important contribution that we should share on social media. Many environmental organisations are very committed but are being held back by a lack of funding. Donations and public support help these organisations to achieve more.
Organising a harbour clean-up, for example, is a great activity. Simply clean your pontoon or the harbour where you are staying from top to bottom. This also raises awareness in the local community. In Las Palmas, Pontoon L joined forces one day to clean up the marina. The wind had shifted and the harbour was full of rubbish.
What has galvanised me the most to save the ocean is the inspiration from the people around me. While sailing, you meet so many people who are committed to the ocean, with different backgrounds but a common love for the sea. This has given me deep insights into the marine world and once again made me realise our responsibility for the planet.
I've met the most amazing people offline, but it's also easier to connect online. With ocean explorers, ambassadors, athletes and anyone else we can work with to save the ocean. In the Ocean Nomads community, we can find our ocean people, follow them and reach them from almost anywhere.
Leading by example
Everyone can be an inspiration and role model for others. "Be the change you want to see in the world." These words by Mahatma Gandhi inspire me. Perhaps the greatest challenge in protecting the oceans is to win the hearts, minds and commitment of people. This is about every single inhabitant of our planet. We are all connected. We are all on a journey and we all have our own qualities when it comes to making a difference.
You can inspire your captain and the community on board to make lifestyle changes by setting a good example and taking small, positive steps for the environment. In marinas and marina facilities, you can try to convince those responsible of the great benefits of recycling facilities.
Everything you see and learn at sea should be told to the other crew members and the captain, as well as your family and friends at home. Nothing inspires a rethink more than emotional testimonials. Motivating other people to change their use of plastic by showing them practical alternatives is also an important contribution to protecting the oceans.
Especially in places where awareness is low, you should set a good example. On the islands, for example, it is very important to pay attention to your actions and purchases. Practising what you preach. And above all: realise your love for the sea. Then it won't be so difficult to do your best to save it every day.
An exciting part of sailing is anchoring in secluded bays and diving there. Learning how to snorkel, free dive or scuba dive. You can also find information about current projects that you can contribute to while diving on the page oceannomads.co.
One of the most influential decisions we can make every day for our own health and that of the ocean is our diet. In other words, what we put into our bodies. Our planet does not have the capacity to feed us all the way we are consuming now. We can start by informing ourselves about these issues. With more knowledge and awareness comes action. The best thing to do is to find out what works for you. It's about progress, not perfection.
Never stop learning
Raising children appropriately can also make an important contribution to protecting the environment. After all, they are the future leaders and our best hope for change. Changing behavioural patterns in adults who have acquired habits over many years can take time, but future generations can establish the right habits from the start. Let's take our children, nephews, nieces and friends to the ocean. We protect what we love and they will love it.
Most importantly, we should never stop learning. The more we know, the better decisions we can make for our health and the health of the oceans. We should go on an expedition, talk to local people and get to know their habitat, swim, dive, snorkel and learn about other cultures, environmental and social challenges. You can attend courses on sustainability, the galaxy, geography, nutrition and the oceans, listen to podcasts, read books or watch documentaries.
We can do good and have fun at the same time, we should enjoy every moment outside, connect with nature and realise how incredibly blessed we are to live on such a beautiful planet. This gives us the energy we need to keep going. Sometimes it can be a little depressing to see, learn and experience the exploitation of people and our planet, but you shouldn't let it spoil your life. We only have one thing and we should shape it into a good whole, for now and the future.
The pursuit of a healthy ocean and a healthy lifestyle are closely linked. You can connect with nature, avoid plastic, repair damage yourself, create things, simplify a lot, use what you have and only buy what you really need, preferably locally. You should explore more, join forces, go your own way, stay curious and wild. Also stay pure, eat plants, spread kindness, be aware of your privileges and act accordingly. Just use your superpowers as often as possible. And eat out of the pan from time to time - that way you save on crockery. Plus water. And time. The words of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, can provide inspiration here: "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping when there is a mosquito in the room."
Now is the time to act, but now is also the time to live. Despite the challenges, there is so much beauty all around us. We don't know what will happen tomorrow, so let's make the most of every moment. Let's be present and mindful. By celebrating the small successes, we get the energy we need to work towards the big goal.
Book "Salt on the skin" by Suzanne van der Veeken
No boat? No money? No problem!
Suzanne van der Veeken has travelled the world's oceans as a hitchhiker. In her book, from which the text is taken, she encourages all those who dream of freedom under sail to do the same. 304 pages; 29.90 euros. Order here in the Delius Klasing shop
