Nature
Sailing is a sustainable sport, where humans harness the power of nature. Sailors rely on clean waters to be able to safely participate and are very reliant on a high quality of natural environment to enjoy their time on the water. By following a few simple rules of conduct when sailing we can reduce potential impacts on the environment.
World Sailing and the Marine Mammal Advisory Group (MMAG) have released its Marine Megafauna in Sailing guidelines.
These comprehensive guidelines will support sailors, events, and federations to reduce the risk of vessel strikes to marine megafauna worldwide.
The Marine Megafauna in Sailing guidelines are available to download here, as well as on the MMAG’s website.
The guidelines encourage the creation of a Nature Action Plan – the recommended protocol that events should undertake to mitigate marine biodiversity risk.
MMAG provides a customisable Nature Action Plan template that guides events and teams through the planning needed to prepare for and evaluate the risk of marine mammal strike.
To report a megafauna strike please complete this form. This will help build up our database on where and when megafauna strikes tend to occur.
When you transport your boat and equipment around from different venues, you can cause the spread of invasive species. This is where non-native species are introduced into a different habitat and reduce the biodiversity present in the habitat. So to stop this, please follow these easy steps:
- Wash your boat, sails, covers and trolley thoroughly
- Clean all of your sailing clothing thoroughly
- Remove any weed from your boat and trolley
- Rinse your engine after use at each venue
Remember some organisms can be microscopic, so even if your boat and equipment does not look contaminated, it still could be!
Here is a list of invasive species: WST Invasive Species.
Biofouling Management for Recreational Boating can be viewed here.
Download World Sailing’s Invasive species poster here.
Fuel from your boat’s engine can leak into the water and cause oil pollution. Fuel such as petrol and diesel will be toxic for the organisms present and so will reduce biodiversity.
To avoid this pollution risk remember to:
- Bring your spill kits
- Use containers designed for oil and fuel when storing these liquids
- Dispose of waste in hazardous bins
- Maintain your boat engine to prevent leaks
- When refuelling be careful so oil does not enter the water
- Have an absorbent pad on hand when refuelling ready to absorb any excess fuel
- Never dump oil or fuel into the water or down a drain
Download World Sailing’s guidance on Oil Spills poster here.
Sunscreen can have toxic ingredients in which negatively affect the marine wildlife. Coral reefs are highly vulnerable to the these toxic chemicals, and even if you do not sail in water with coral reefs present, remember the oceans current circulation will move these toxins around the oceans and so will reach the coral reefs.
Coral reefs are the ecosystem that gains the most attention surrounding sunscreen pollution but this pollution also reduces growth of other marine organisms, such as algae which is the base of the marine food chain. So please check the ingredients of your sunscreen to ensure that it is coral reef safe, follow the guidance below to check the ingredients of your sunscreen.
Download World Sailing’s poster on Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen here.
