OUR MISSION
We believe in connecting tourism and conservation with strategies allowing both to thrive, maintaining tourism jobs while increasing the protection of our beach environment and marine life.
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Ocean Allies relies on the generous donations from the community so we can continue our mission.
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ABOUT US
What Does It Mean To Join The Ocean Allies Movement?
Ocean Allies consist of individuals, businesses, and communities that uphold ocean friendly practices. Ocean friendly practices include discontinuing single-use plastics, choosing more reusable, biodegradable, or composable items, recycling properly, conserving water and energy, and being mindful of marine life.
Plastic is entering the world’s oceans at an alarming rate. In fact, the EPA has estimated by the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean by weight than fish. This plastic has devastating effects on marine animals, as over 100,000 marine mammals and one million sea birds are killed by plastic each year. Plastic is also known to affect human health, as plastic particles have the ability to absorb toxins from the surrounding area and release some of their own chemicals into the water. Two specific chemical groups found in plastic, bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates, are known concerns for human health. Microplastics (small pieces of plastic) have also been documented in humans.
Benefits + Statistics
TOURISM TRENDS
Conservation is not a niche or an extreme activist movement but a mainstream value. A 2012 Trip Advisor survey showed that 71% of respondents said they plan to make more eco-friendly choices in the next 12 months. Furthermore, an astounding 57% of travelers said they “often” make eco-friendly travel decisions, such as their choice of hotel.
A growing percentage of tourists are desiring to vacation in destinations with an environmentally friendly plan. Thankfully, tourism and conservation can work hand-in-hand. The Ocean Allies plan is to capture this new tourism market share by implementing mid and long-term strategic plans to deal with the growing issue of tourist impact on our environment.
Local residents also benefit from ecotourism by having cleaner outdoor spaces and tourists that appreciate their home. A sense of place and community pride all around is cultivated by the merger of conservation, tourism, and residency. Ocean Allies has come together to transform Clearwater Beach into the #1 recognized Ocean Friendly destination beach in the world and assists other cities in the same direction. The Ocean Allies leadership team is here to partner, inspire and educate any community to develop and implement an eco-friendly and sustainable brand.
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OUR AWARDS
