The ocean is the anglers playground, or second home even. Even if the marine resources are there for us to take, we should be responsible enough to take only what is necessary. Specially in the Philippines where there is rampant misuse of our seas, as anglers, we should love the ocean as if it is our own and practice sport fishing responsibly and teach others to do the same.

The “I Love the Ocean” Movement is an organized action to bring back the sustainability of our seas. It provides organizations (public as well as private) and ordinary folks alike the opportunity to individually express their concern about ocean issues and collectively do something to help save our seas. “I Love the Ocean” involves a membership campaign, public education and community mobilization activities designed to increase public awareness and action on coastal management issues and instil pride in our country’s natural resources and the ongoing efforts to protect these resources.

The “I Love the Ocean” Movement is a recognition of the need to approach the problem of sustainable coastal resource use from all angles. It recognizes that all individuals have a stake in what happens to our marine resources, and that each individual, from the president of the country to the company executive to the nameless man on the street, has an important role to play in saving these precious gifts of nature. Membership in the movement is therefore voluntary and devoid of any conditions but these two: concern for the ocean and our coastal environment, and a willingness to help keep them clean and healthy. The volunteers are duty bound to abide by the I Love the Ocean Creed, translate it into action, and contribute whatever little they can - of themselves, their time or resources - to promote the movement’s cause, the sustainability of our ocean and coastal environment.

LET’S DO OUR SHARE IN PROTECTING THE SEAS!

1. Stop littering our planet: Reduce, reuse, recycle (especially plastic).
2. Read labels on tuna cans; buy only those products that respect marine life.
3. Find out how and where fish at your local market is caught before you buy.
4. Use unbleached or white toilet paper — colored paper contains dyes that pollute our water systems and, eventually, the ocean.
5. Use phosphate-free washing powder, detergent and other cleaning agents.
6. Don’t take shells or other ‘souvenirs’ from the beach.
7. Pick up any rubbish you see and dispose properly.
8. Avoid using water-polluting household chemicals. Instead use eco-friendly substitutes such as vinegar (an all-purpose cleaner) and sodium bicarbonate (a bathroom cleaner/mold remover).
9. Report to authorities any illegal dumping or fishing activities you discover.
10. Let your government know how you feel about issues affecting the marine environment: Write local and national officials, or phone the newspapers.
11. Draft your own Ocean Charter (member-countries of the IOC will have their own Ocean Charter, which will be presented and adopted in 1998 as a highlight of the IYO). Get people in your neighborhood to sign your Charter, then present it to your mayor or barangay captain and request that it be displayed prominently in your municipal or barangay hall.
12. Show you care: Wear a blue heart.

For more info, please proceed to to the One Ocean Website at http://www.oneocean.org