How to plant a fish

Fabien Cousteau launches aquatic conservation programme

A top explorer has launched a new scheme to help restore and protect the planets water.

Fabien Cousteau, an ocean explorer has revealed the Plant A Fish campaign which will protect marine life, a cause very close to his family. Plant A Fish will educate and engage people in greater ocean awareness by performing the simple act of ‘planting a fish’.

This odd-sounding pursuit means key marine species will be effectively ‘re-planted’ in their local habitats. Waters set to benefit from the campaign at the offset include New York Harbor oysters, coral and mangroves in South Florida and Sea Turtles in El Salvador.

Earth is covered by a mammoth 97% of aquatic ecosystems but demand for seafood, over-population, over-fishing, pollution and exhausted water bodies are creating dangerous conditions for this vast area.

Cousteau, founder of Plant a Fish said: “My grandfather often said that ‘People protect what they love.' The mission of Plant A Fish is to help people learn more, and ultimately care more, by ‘getting wet' and getting directly involved in restoring and protecting water bodies and marine life.

“Entire species of marine life are disappearing at an alarming rate. In the past 50 years, almost 60% of our world's fish stocks have been consumed, and less than 10% of the big fish species are left in the world.

“It's time we stop acting as hunters and start becoming farmers. We must tend to the oceans as we do to a prized garden, as we ultimately depend on them too.”

Fabien Cousteau is the grandson of French explorer Jacques Cousteau who was renowned for his research of the sea and all forms of life in water. He also co-developed the aqua-lung and played a part in pioneering marine conservation. June 11 will see the 100th anniversary of the birth of this aquatic legend.

Plant a Fish was launched on June 7 which kicked off Cousteau’s survey dive of planned oyster restoration site in New York Harbor which he will conduct with the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School.

For more information visit www.plantafish.org.