Beach clean-ups are essential for preserving our oceans and protecting marine life, but it’s important to remember that sustainability is a journey we can all embark on, no matter how imperfectly. We often think that to make a difference, we must achieve perfection, but the reality is that many people taking small, imperfect actions can collectively lead to significant change.
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The Joy of Being a Fish Wife: Sorting Rock Shrimp
The other day, CJ brought home some fresh rock shrimp, and I couldn’t help but feel like a true “fish wife”—the one who sells fish and loves every moment of it! 🦐 After we got them home, it was time for the real work: sorting and cleaning. This process involves removing the heads and deveining the shrimp. It was my first time ‘‘processing’’ shrimps and every time we bring a fish or seafood home, I find it fascinating and I am always learning something new.
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Why I Choose to Harvest My Own Food (And Why It Matters)
You wouldn’t believe the number of comments I’ve received lately suggesting that I should "just go to the grocery store" instead of harvesting my own food from the ocean or my backyard. It’s as if people forget that the pre-packaged meat or seafood they buy didn’t magically appear on the shelf. The reality is, if you’re eating meat, shrimp, oysters, or any seafood, the process of getting that food to your plate isn’t clean or pretty—you’re just letting someone else do the hard part.
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Welcome to My Ocean Chronicles
Hey everyone! 🌊 Welcome to my blog! For those of you who are new here, I’m Gabriella, and I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself and my journey.
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Fascinating Facts About Queen Conch Shells
The queen conch (Lobatus gigas) is a large, marine mollusk found in the warm waters of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas. Known for its beautiful, spiraled shell, the queen conch is not only a popular find among beachcombers but also an important species for local ecosystems and economies.
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The Vital Role of Sharks in Our Ecosystem
Sharks are often misunderstood and feared, but they play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of our marine ecosystems. As apex predators, they regulate the populations of other marine species, ensuring that the ecosystem remains balanced and healthy. By preying on the sick, weak, or old, sharks help keep fish populations robust and diverse, preventing any single species from dominating and disrupting the ecosystem.
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How to Tell the Difference Between a Live Sand Dollar and One That Isn't Alive
Beachcombing often brings the excitement of discovering sand dollars, those fascinating, delicate treasures of the sea. However, it’s important to distinguish between live sand dollars and those that are no longer alive to ensure we respect and preserve marine life. Here’s how you can tell the difference!
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10 Fascinating Facts About Sand Dollars
Today, let's uncover some intriguing facts about one of the ocean's most fascinating creatures: the sand dollar. These flat, burrowing sea urchins are often found washed up on beaches, but there's much more to them than meets the eye.
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Shark Squalene: Protecting Marine Life with Sustainable Alternatives
Squalene, a natural oil found in shark liver, has been used in cosmetics and skincare products for its moisturizing properties. However, the demand for squalene has led to the overfishing of sharks, putting many species at risk. Millions of sharks are killed each year solely for their liver oil, contributing to the decline of shark populations and disrupting marine ecosystems.
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Celebrating Shark Week and Shark Awareness Month: Amazing Facts About Sharks
As we celebrate Shark Week this July, let's dive into the fascinating world of sharks! These incredible creatures are often misunderstood, but they play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of our marine ecosystems.
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Diving with Sharks: Embracing the Calm Beneath the Waves
As Shark Week approaches, I’m reminded of my first dive with sharks in the Bahamas back in 2020. This experience wasn’t about the adrenaline; it was about finding calm and stillness in the face of a stressful situation. A few years ago, I was struggling with stress and anxiety and wasn’t in the shape I am today. Jumping into the water with sharks and swimming towards them would have been unimaginable. But that day, I kept challenging myself to go deeper and stay down longer while my friends were there to watch my back.
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Join the #PlasticFreeJuly Challenge: Let's Protect Our Beaches and Oceans
July is here, and it's time for #PlasticFreeJuly! This global movement invites everyone to join the challenge to reduce, reuse, and recycle, helping us protect our beautiful beaches and oceans from plastic pollution. Every small step we take can make a significant impact, and I’m excited to share how you can get involved.
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Discovering the Wonders of Starfish: Fascinating Facts About These Ocean Gems
The ocean is full of remarkable creatures, but few are as captivating as the starfish. Despite their name, starfish are not actually fish. They belong to a group of animals known as echinoderms, making them close relatives of sea urchins and sand dollars.
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Diving with My Dad: A Journey Back to the Ocean
I learned how to scuba dive with my dad, and though he stopped diving years ago, we recently had the chance to explore the ocean together again for the first time in almost ten years. 🩵🤿 We went diving in French Polynesia, creating unforgettable memories.
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How to Prepare your New Dive Mask Before Diving for the First Time
Burning a new dive mask I’m gearing up for a dive trip, and with my usual routine of packing two of everything in case of any mishaps, I've just added a new Cressi Super Occhio dive mask bag. Before I hit the water, it's time to prep this mask so it's ready for action.
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Unleash your inner mermaid with Neritic Diving
When it comes to freediving and spearfishing, having the right gear is crucial for a successful and enjoyable experience. My favorite brand for diving essentials is Neritic Diving. Their products are top-notch, offering both quality and performance that I can rely on during every dive.
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Costa Rica Jungle Adventure
Our 2024 Costa Rica adventure was an unforgettable experience filled with romance, thrill, and natural beauty.
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Making Salmon Gravlax with Fresh Alaskan Salmon
This gravlax, made with salmon our friend brought us from Alaska, is a delightful way to enjoy the freshness and flavor of the fish. It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family, showcasing the bounty of our travels.
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Christmas in the Keys: Fresh Stone Crab Cakes for Dinner
Spending Christmas in the Keys was a unique and delightful experience. One of the highlights of our holiday was checking our stone crab traps and making fresh crab cakes for the whole family.
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Discovering the Spider Conch in French Polynesia
One of my most exciting seashell finds in French Polynesia was the Lambis lambis, commonly known as the spider conch. This large sea snail, part of the Strombidae family, can be found near shore along sandy sea floors throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
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