Our commitment to the UN sustainable development goals

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

In 2015 the United Nations set out 17 goals for a better world by 2030. The goals are aimed at ending poverty, fighting inequality and stopping climate change. Guided by these goals, it is up to all of us to work together to build a better future for everyone.

Through our commitment to ethical and sustainable research and community engagement Love The Oceans is committed to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

GOAL 14 – LIFE BELOW WATER

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Love The Oceans is committed to Goal 14, Life Below Water, through the achievement of our mission to establish a Marine Protected Area in the Inhambane Province through a bottom-up, community-led approach. Love The Oceans mission and work specifically aligns with the following targets developed to create action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans:

REDUCE MARINE POLLUTION

Love The Oceans is working to reduce marine pollution through frequent beach cleans removing marine debris and documenting the extend of the problem through our Ocean Trash research. Since the start of the Ocean Trash research in 2017 Love The Oceans has removed over 500 kg of marine debris from our local beaches, a stretch of less than 15 km. To show our commitment to reducing marine pollution in our region, Love The Oceans has committed to removing 2kg of trash for every piece of Love The Oceans merchandise that is sold.

SUSTAINABLE FISHING

Sustainable fishing is at the heart of Love The Oceans’ mission: Through capacity-building community workshops in sustainable fishing and educational outreach, Love The Oceans aims to facilitate the transition from current unsustainable fishing practices specifically targeting sharks and rays towards sustainable fishing supplemented by sustainable livelihoods

CONSERVE COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS

Love The Oceans’ end goal is to establish a Marine Protected Area, protecting the Inhambane Province’s coastal and marine ecosystems through a community-led, bottom-up approach. The envisaged Marine Protected Area will provide protection for breeding humpback whales, nesting turtles and endangered elasmobranchs; including manta rays, whale sharks and scalloped hammerhead sharks.

INCREASE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE RESOURCES

Love The Oceans aims to increase the economic benefits for the local communities through a transition towards sustainable fishing, supplemented by sustainable livelihoods, including aquaculture and ecotourism.

GOAL 4 – QUALITY EDUCATION

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Love The Oceans is committed to Goal 4, Quality Education, through our community outreach and education projects. Love The Oceans mission and work specifically aligns with the following target developed to create action to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education:

FREE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

Love The Oceans works with two local primary schools, Guinjata and Paindane Primary School, delivering classes on Marine Resource Management and Sea Safety. Since 2015 Love The Oceans has taught over 750 children, and delivered free swimming lessons to over 600 children. As part of Love The Oceans education projects, our volunteers paint educational murals and we invest in improving existing teaching facilities and building new classrooms. As a result of Love The Oceans maintenance and construction work, parents no longer have to pay the mandatory maintenance fee that they previously had to pay to send their children to school, which means that our educational projects are currently sponsoring free education for almost 1500 children. Love The Oceans education projects will also facilitate the establishment of the first secondary schools in the area: The local authorities have agreed to elevate Guinjata and Paindane School to secondary school status by providing teachers and teaching materials, once each of the schools reach 10 solid classrooms.