We are dreaming of a blue Christmas

What did one coral say to the other? I “sea” you are branching out! Christmas is the season of goodwill, giving, and dad jokes. And today we are full of bad ocean puns that would put dads to shame.

Christmas celebrations can be ocean and coral friendly

Did you hear the one about why coral and algae are such great friends? It’s because they take each other for “granite”! Ha! Oh, and why did that coral join a choir? It wanted to be part of a Christmas choral. One last one, what did the fish have to pay to get past the coral reef? Atoll.

We hope these made you laugh. But now that we have your attention, what do corals stress about? Current events.

Amid the festive season, we need to remember that our beautiful blue planet faces many environmental challenges, including climate change, ocean pollution, and coral bleaching.
Christmas may be a time for celebration, but it can also be an ocean and coral-friendly one. We depend on these ecosystems for food, recreation, and protection. Many marine species rely on them for survival. Ready for a mindful Christmas? Check out these quick tips for making a positive impact during the holiday season.

Less waste, more fun. There is a lot of waste generated during Christmas, which ends up in landfills. Focus on quality experiences over quantity of resource-intensive products. Watch a movie, see the lights in town, take pictures, or visit your favourite park. When hosting a festive gathering, make a conscious effort to reduce plastic waste. It's time to break out that set you've been saving for a special occasion! Use reusable plates, cutlery, and glassware. Keep reusable containers on hand for leftovers. When possible, recycle your items.

Choose eco friendly sustainable and durable gifts wrappings and decor (Photo: pexels patrycja niebielska)

Gifts that endure. Choose eco-friendly, sustainable, and durable gifts, wrappings, and decor that contribute to ocean conservation and promote a plastic-free lifestyle.
Bin it. Put rubbish in its proper place so it doesn't end up in the ocean where it pollutes, entangles and chokes animals, and smothers corals. Take trash bags with you to the beach and clean up after your picnic. Don't leave anything but footprints.

Conserve water and energy. Consider your water and electricity usage; it will be easier on your wallet as well as the environment.

Do no harm. Whenever you are out fishing, boating, diving, or snorkelling, support local coral and ocean conservation efforts. Make sure you don't anchor boats on corals or dispose of fishing lines, nets, or plastics in the sea. Please take care not to harm wildlife. Don't disturb marine life.

Protect your skin and corals. Choose reef-safe sunscreen products that are chemical-free and made with organic ingredients.

Give back. If you would like to contribute to ocean conservation or coral restoration, please consider donating. Consider adopting a coral if you're looking for a unique gift or volunteering your time.

Create a ripple effect. Do not underestimate education and awareness. It is a powerful tool for change. Inspire others to act. Tell someone to tell someone who will tell someone else about ocean and coral conservation.

Remember, every small action counts. Happy holidays!

To learn more about our coral reef restoration project, see this link: https://natureseychelles.org/what-we-do/coral-reef-restoration