Green, eco-friendly fishing practices guarantee there will be populations of ocean and freshwater fish for the future. Below are 10 tips regarding what you can incorporate on your next fishing trip. Take a trash bag or extra grocery store bag along with you on your trip. It’s really handy for any trash you create, from bait containers and fishing line to food wrappers. It also works out well if you come across garbage on or near the water. Be proactive and [...]
The beginning of a new year comes with much promise and hope. We often set forth with new resolutions to make a positive change in our lives. What if you could make one change that would help the entire planet for years to come? Would you do it? What if we told you it was simple? Intriguing, right? One small thing you can do that will make a huge impact is to reduce paper waste at work! A whopping 70% [...]
We all know plastic waste is a huge problem for our planet. Many restaurants along the coast and other areas are switching from plastic straws to an eco-friendly alternative like bamboo straws to help make a difference along the Gulf Coast. Plastic straws not only end up in the waste stream, but can also end up in waterways, ultimately injuring wildlife. Many of you have seen the devastating video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck up his [...]
With warm temperatures and longer days, springtime is the right time to head to the beach! Take your umbrellas, beach chairs, snacks, and drinks — but be sure to Leave Only Footprints when you leave for the day. Family days at the beach can be full of sandcastles, games, and dips in the Gulf. You can make the memories of a lifetime along the white-sand beaches. Children and adults alike love to frolic along the pristine shores and watch the [...]
The last Friday in May is National Heat Awareness Day. For those of you who don’t know, it gets hot — very hot — in the South. Particularly in coastal Alabama, where the heat and humidity work together to create a double whammy. If you aren’t used to dealing with this weather, it can be a potentially critical issue. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can cause fatalities. A few ways to prepare for this mix of sun, heat, wind, and water include [...]
It just makes sense to recycle. Or does it? While the planet is in a precarious position of being overused and overwhelmed, more people are waking up to the need to preserve our natural resources. Clearly, we must reduce our use and acceptance of single-use products as a whole, and certainly, we can decrease our dependence on plastic. But did you know that recycling makes dollars and sense? In comparison to making a product out of new vs. recycled materials, [...]
May marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and although we have seen an increasing number of sea turtles being born and returning to nest over recent years, we have also seen the unthinkable. You may remember the female sea turtle who was found in the surf with her neck attached to a beach chair. Or you may have heard the horrifying news of a group of tourists caught on camera looting sea turtle [...]
As we approach the busy seasons along the Gulf Coast, our shores can get even more overloaded with debris and trash. Some of this is due to carelessness of individuals; other debris may be coming back ashore after a storm. Our beaches are a gift and something we should strive to clean. The City of Orange Beach is doing what it can to address marine debris and waterborne trash. This pilot program, launched in 2014, is the Waterways and Shoreline [...]
When taking a trip to the beach this year, it’s important to remember you are visiting the home of many wonderful animals. Enjoy their presence, but be respectful when encountering them. Regardless of which animal you encounter, we encourage you to remain a safe distance of about 50 yards. Remember that you are guests in their home, so keep the viewing at a minimum in order to reduce the stress on the animals. Please do not attempt to feed or [...]
One of the best ways to experience everything our beaches and the Gulf of Mexico have to offer is via marine craft. Because of this, marinas are found all along the Gulf Coast. These marinas are a helpful tool for boaters, but are very vulnerable during catastrophic storms. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) is a joint partnership of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The goal of this organization is to encourage collaboration on ways to enhance the health [...]
