The Sea That Sustains Us

THE SEA THAT SUSTAINS US

WRITTEN BY ERIN HURLEY, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN

Photo: B. Noel

I was raised on Lake Winnipesaukee. My summers were a constant escape to this watery oasis in New Hampshire from which my fondest childhood memories originated. It was where my dad first taught me how to waterski, where I would fall asleep on my mom’s lap after a long day of boating, and where my sister Meghan gave me countless “dolphin rides” until we were both pruney all over. I am forever amazed and enthralled by the beauty and serenity of the lake and all of its wildlife inhabitants.

On early summer mornings, the sun glistens over the waves and casts an orange glow over the mountains that line the lake. A pair of ducks dive underneath the surface in search of their next meal as their babies watch them intently, and otters slowly glide across the bay, their heads barely poking above the water.

On warm summer nights, the breeze rustles the tree branches and sends a few leaves cascading into the dark waters below. My dad plays a low tune on his flute, and the loons call back to him in friendly recognition. The moon slowly peaks over the horizon and is soon joined by one, two, and finally countless stars that illuminate the night sky. Constellations dance along the waves as they crash into the mossy rocks of the beach.

I could never tire of waking to the sounds and sights of the lake or having its gentle symphony lull me to sleep.

Among the sounds of nature on beautiful summer days are the people, hurtling across the water on boats and jet skis. You can often find them in the bay around the corner from my house, where they anchor and spend hours swimming and laying out in the sun.

One morning, my father and I rose early and decided to visit the bay before the crowd arrived – him on a kayak and me on a paddleboard. It had lightly rained earlier that morning, and a beautiful double rainbow shone above us as we made our way to the bay. The air felt fresh, and many critter friends were enjoying the weather alongside us. First, a large and rowdy family of mergansers swimming and diving into the waves by the shore. Then a loon with its tiny baby perched upon its back and another trailing behind. Finally, when we reached the bay, there were ducks, turtles, and schools of fish gliding below the water’s surface. It was a truly beautiful sight.

That is until we noticed what was littering the shore. There were countless plastic water bottles, beer cans, cigarette butts, food packages and more—remnants of the people that had been there the day before. A sight now too familiar, from lakeshores and forests to our vast oceans.

Plastic waste and other debris contaminate natural areas across the globe, and approximately 14 million metric tons of these scraps make their way into our precious oceans annually. Species like seabirds, whales, fish and turtles ingest or are entangled in this discarded waste, leading to severe injuries or death for too many of these magnificent creatures.

You can make a difference for our oceans! Register for our 8th Annual Great fundy coastal cleanup here!

Healthy, thriving marine ecosystems are critical to the livelihood of future generations of all living beings. They do so much for us all, from regulating our climate and producing most of the oxygen we breathe to providing a nutrient-rich food source and a home to beloved species. The oceans have cared and provided for us since time immemorial, and it is time we did the same for them. We urgently need to reduce our plastic waste while also taking action to clean up the debris already suffocating these important natural treasures.

Every year, volunteers from across New Brunswick unite for the love of marine life at the Great Fundy Coastal Cleanup, a province-wide movement to eliminate marine debris. Participants gather with their friends and family to clean up shorelines, beaches, parks, trails, or forests near and dear to them - because everything leads back to the ocean. Together, they rally to protect our remarkable coastal ecosystems and ensure the diverse marine life that calls these shorelines home can survive and thrive. 

Being conscious of plastic waste and doing your part is essential to combating this enormous environmental problem. Striving to reduce your plastic use or participating in local cleanups like the Great Fundy Coastal Cleanup are great ways to begin tackling this problem locally to make a difference globally.