Blog Action Day: S.O.S.

In April and May of this year, we were alerted to despicable crimes against marine flora and fauna, and the illegal trade that perpetrates these atrocities. Are we just going to sit back and allow the rape of the ocean go unpunished? Will we let the plundering of our natural resources go unimpeached? Not us Filipino netizens!

A team of spirited, passionate individuals — Filipinos and foreign friends of the Philippines — has banded together to form the Save The Philippine Seas initiative, with each team member committing to a long-term effort towards marine conservation. We love the ocean, and we pledge to protect her to the best of our abilities.

The SPS team aims to put an end to the illicit coral trade, as well as stave off the destruction of our country’s coral colonies and marine habitats. Among the team are avid scuba divers, conservationists, IT professionals, writers — all deeply concerned about the health of the Philippines’ marine ecosystem. If you would like to participate in this worthy and necessary effort, please get in touch with me today!

More urgently, at this juncture, the SPS team would like to invite you to be part of Blog Action Day: Save Our Seas on the 8th of June 2011. Please read this blog post to know how you can contribute to the cause. Each voice is valuable and will add volume to the outcry to save our seas and preserve the wonders that they encompass.

I personally encountered these sea creatures you see on this page, and my dive companion took their photos while we went night diving in Davao Gulf recently. What I can’t figure out is, how could anyone who’s seen nature’s underwater wonders allow them to disappear forever? Whether by their own hand or by turning a blind eye.

With the alarmingly high rate of destruction of our coral reefs — which are in fact animals that “take root” on the ocean floor to form those amazing contours and projections — undersea life is under grave threat. Coral play a vital role in keeping marine life viable. They’re not mere deep-sea decorations or sources of touristy trinkets.

How do you think you can help protect coral reefs and marine life? What do you think government should do? Why do you think businesses should assume responsibility for preserving the enviroment? — These are some questions that you might want to answer when you join Blog Action Day: S.O.S. In behalf of the SPS Team, I challenge you to chime in!