08.06.2019 – Our ocean

Happy World Oceans day!

For the team at Lobosonda the ocean is a provider, a source of knowledge and happiness, the formidable mother of all living things on our planet. Abiogenesis, or the origin of life, where microorganisms arose from non-living matter took place around 3.5 billion years ago in the worlds oceans. This is why the ocean at that time is referred to as the primordial soup. It is from these tiny marine creatures that all life on earth evolved so, despite the indisputable differences amongst all living creatures that walk the earth, we still all share one common ancestor. Evolution has also manufactured a colourful world where all creatures also nurture different relationships to the ocean and yet we are all dependent on her. As human beings we vary in our approach to the ocean; some are uncomfortable in the ocean or even afraid of her, others yearn to dedicate all their free time to her. We are all dependent of her and we all exploit her.

The fact that we need to dedicate a day to remind us of our detrimental attitude towards our ocean actually shows how we take her for granted. We think that every day should be World Oceans Day; the ocean connects us in a world where we are separated by so many petty things. It even unifies us in our desire to do good and give something back. Amongst todays photos you will see an image of the Lobo Marinho sculpture in Câmara do Lobos that is made entirely of trash from Madeiras beaches and at the bottom of the sea near the islands coastline that was collected by volunteers. We are happy to have contributed to this artwork; not only did the artist Bordalo II receive substantial raw material, the beach in Madalena is now also a little healthier and we made wonderful memories that morning with a truly engaged group of people. World Oceans Day shouldn’t just remind us of our flaws, it should also underline what we can achieve if we work together.

It is also a day of gratitude so, today, we would like to say thank you; thank you to all volunteers that participated in our cleanups, thank you to Zerowaste Madeira for supporting us and encouraging a sustainable future in Madeira, thank you to Bordalo II for his incredible artwork, thank you to all guests who show interest in marine life during our tours. And of course thank you to our ocean for the incredible moments we could enjoy today and on all other days, for connecting the disconnected and unifying us in the best way possible.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

15:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Short-beaked common dolphins

Stenella

09:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Striped dolphins