The Ocean we need for the Future we want

The purpose of this long term project/action is to protect and respect the atlantic ocean which surrounds our small island. Santa Maria is one of the smallest islands of the Azores and almost every 5 500 inhabitant are connected to the ocean, either for economic reasons, or for leisure reasons. Therefore, ocean pollution is a calamity that affects island life, economy, biodiversity. As a school club from a Blue School we understand the impact of Ocean Literacy on children and consequently on the rest of the community. In order to reduce the amount of single use plastic on the island, we want to equip the island (airport, touristic spots, main village) with water filling machines where people can refill their reusable bottles, besides displaying more recycling containers all over the island. Every month our club organizes clean up actions (coastal or subaquatic) and those actions should include local community, so that they also realize the impact of pollution on our ocean. The local nautic club is a partner in these cleanup actions.

We also realized that it is easier to protect and respect what you know. In order to better the know the ocean around us our teachers learnt how to swim and now they are ready to learn how to sail. The nautic club has sailing coaches that can teach our children nautic sports.

Another way of knowing our ocean and respect its biodiversity is having lectures with experts about scientific ocean related topics and also with local fisherman about sustainable fishing methods. Our older students can replicate what they learn to younger ones or even to the local community.