Riding the Green Blue Wave

Southampton International Boat Show 

30 August 2019

Want to find out how you can be a part of making UK boating more environmentally sustainable?

The demand for support, advice and resources from The Green Blue has never been stronger, with a heightened interest from the recreational boating community in how we can be part of the solution to minimise our plastic pollution and other impacts boating may have on our environment.

The Green Blue, the joint environmental awareness programme of British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association, has been working closely with the recreational boating sector, helping them adopt environmental best practice to minimise any impacts on our inland and coastal waters, habitats and wildlife – with a particular focus on our Marine Protected Areas and preventing the spread of harmful Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS).

At this years’ show Campaign Manager, Kate Fortnam, will officially announce the launch of The Green Blue’s brand new website (Foredeck Stage, Wednesday 18 September, 10.30am).  The new site features up-to-date bespoke information and resources aimed at helping make boating activities and operations more sustainable.

Resources to look out for are The Green Blue’s educational activities for young boaters that can be delivered on the water and onshore. The most popular of these is Marine CSI which gives young people the chance to become marine special agents by analysing fingerprints, unscrambling puzzles and testing water samples. Other resources include instructor teaching aids to help pass on environmental good practice to students on RYA courses, a variety of eye-catching infographics and video clips to help communicate sustainable boating top tips via social media, e- newsletters, emails, news articles and display screens.

Kate will also be speaking on the Foredeck Stage throughout the week where she will be providing top tips to help protect our waters and the wildlife we share them with.  Find out more about boating around wildlife, recycling, cleaning onboard, antifouling and disposing and invasive species prevention.

Talks schedule:

Sat 14th – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Sun 15th – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Mon 16th – 14:30 to 15:00 – Marlow Ropes Stand (J300)

Sat 21st – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Visitors can also drop by the RYA stand (B027) throughout the show where you can check out the new look website for yourself on The Green Blue pod. You can also look out for the shows environment stand in the entrance marquee where you can discover how you can make your boating greener and find out about the shows Environmental Pledge and Exhibitor Sustainability Charter.

By working towards an environmentally self-regulating boating community, The Green Blue aims to help boaters minimise the impact they have on the environment and protect wildlife and its habitats so they can enjoy the marine environment far into the future.

To get an insight into The Green Blue’s activities, explore collaborative opportunities, discover current good practice and access the variety of resources visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk follow @thegreenblue on social media, email [email protected] or contact Kate Fortnam on 023 8060 4227.