World Ocean Day 2023 Recap – Ocean Sole
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Hello readers!

World Ocean Day was celebrated globally on 8th June, and at Ocean Sole, we joined the rest of the world to celebrate and honour the world’s oceans which are a life force for all animals and people! 

Our coastal team, together with our ocean mamas, carried out various activities that marked the day. Our partners, The Leaf Charity, Friends Of Nature, and The Kenya Red Cross Society, joined them. We also had volunteers from the Rotary Club of Kilifi, Kenya Scouts Association, Bright Beginning Preparatory School, Pwani University Students, Distant Relatives and the County Government of Kilifi, Department of Blue Economy. 

On the 7th, Wednesday, the team went to Kwa Ngala Beach in the morning for a cleaning exercise. The Kenya Red Cross Society supported the cleaning by buying gloves for all volunteers. The team also cleaned Gastonia Beach, located at Kilifi's Creek. Much of the morning was dedicated to the clean, and they successfully collected 491.05kgs or 1,082 lbs of trash! The team took a well-deserved break at lunchtime to enjoy some lunch provided by Ocean Sole.

Volunteers cleaning the beach 

After a good night’s rest, the team woke up the following morning energised and ready for the day’s mangrove planting activity at Gastonia Beach. If you didn’t know, mangroves are important in coastal areas. Here’s how:

  • Mangroves provide ideal breeding grounds for much of the world's fish, shrimp, crabs, and other shellfish.
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  •  These coastal forests are prime nesting and resting sites for hundreds of shorebirds and migratory bird species.
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  • The leaves that fall from each acre of mangrove forests every year are the basis of an incredibly productive food web. As the leaves decay, they provide nutrients for invertebrates and algae. These, in turn, feed many tiny organisms, such as birds, sponges, worms, jellyfish, shrimp, and young fishes.
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  • Mangrove roots collect the silt and sediment that tides and rivers carry towards the sea. By holding the soil in place, the trees stabilise shorelines against erosion.
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  • The thickets of mangroves also provide a buffer zone that protects the land from wind and wave damage
  • Mangrove forests provide many of the resources coastal people depend on for their survival and livelihood. People can walk across the tidal flats at low tide to collect clams, shellfish, and shrimp. At high tide, fish move in to feed among the protection of mangrove roots, turning the marshy land into rich fishing grounds. The mangrove trees provide fuel, medicines, tannins, and wood for building houses and boats.
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    The Ocean Sole team, including the mamas, were joined by volunteers from the Red Cross Society, The Leaf Charity project, Friends of Nature and pupils from Bright Beginning School. It was an excellent opportunity for the pupils to practically learn about the environment and how they can help conserve it. 

    Volunteers planting trees 

    The following species of mangroves were planted:

  • Ceriops tagal -  838
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  • Bruguiera gymnorhiza-362
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  • Rhizophora mucronata - 466
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    We were challenged by Bright Beginning pupils who showed that age is not a barrier when it comes to loving and caring for the environment. They showed up ready to learn and be part of the entire process. When young people take steps to create awareness for our environment and planet, it gives hope for the future of our earth. 

    Pupils from Bright Beginning School

    In total, 1,666 seedlings were planted. The team proceeded to grab lunch after the incredible job. Afterwards, Thomas, our coastal operations assistant, talked about conservation with the team. 

    With great appreciation, we would like to thank all the participants who made both events successful. We wouldn't have been able to do it without you! To our host a beach clean virtual volunteers, thank you for assisting us to be able to:

  • Provide volunteers with a warm meal
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  • Provide volunteers with snacks & water
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  • Provide transportation for volunteers
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  • Purchase supplies to plant mangrove trees
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  • Purchase supplies to aid our beach clean efforts (gloves, eco-bags, etc.)
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    We also thank our partners Rock The Ocean, The Leaf Charity, Beach Token and the Kenya Red Cross Society. The International School of Kenya donated 120 seedlings through the Leaf Charity, and Robin Farnworth donated 133. 

    World Ocean Day was an opportunity for us to come together and do something for the biggest natural resource that sustains our earth. If you didn't get a chance to participate in World Ocean Day events near you, please consider raising awareness on your  social media platforms. Remember, there are billions of us in the world, but we only have one earth, and it falls on us to take care of it. 

    Email us at hello@oceansoleafrica.com for any enquiries, custom orders, collaborations, partnerships or to see how to support or get involved in our mission!

    #WorldOceanDay

     

     

     

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