Shark and Marine Conservation   Stop the supermarkets Taking Shark off the menu Respect the reef Make waves     Marine conservation - on your doorstep CHOOSE WISELY As a consumer you have a colossal stranglehold on retailers, fishmongers and restaurants and, of course, their suppliers. Products that don't sell won't get restocked. So, get out there and stop buying! That's the way to tighten the grip on the outlets that are stocking threatened or scarce fish by choosing not to buy them and encouraging others to do the same. Better still, tell the manager of the establishment about your decision and invite them to change their buying policy. REDUCE DOMESTIC POLLUTION Remember, if you wash or flush it, it goes to the sea. The easiest step you can make is to carefully choose environmentally friendly (phosphate-free) washing powder, dishwasher detergent, washing up liquid and personal hygiene products. You could even use non-toxic products for cleaning around the kitchen such as baking powder or vinegar. Weekend DIY enthusiasts should avoid disposing of toxic products like paint, paint thinners, paint strippers and engine oil down the drain. It can have disastrous consequences. Outdoors too, avoid using pesticides or fertilizers on the garden. Instead use lawn cuttings, compost or manure to nurture the back yard. USE LESS WATER In case you didn't want to share a bath with a friend, there are plenty of other ways to save water. In fact don't bath, take a shower instead. Don't run water continuously whilst washing up, brushing your teeth or shaving. How about only ever washing a full load in your dishwasher or washing machine? Or fitting a 'hippo' in your toilet cistern to reduce the phenomenal amount of water flushed down the loo. Outside, you could even save water by redirecting rain from the gutters into a water barrel and use that to water the lawn instead of turning on the tap. REDUCE NON-POINT POLLUTION Too much 'incidental' rubbish makes it to the oceans through road drainage. Illegal dumping of engine oil, street litter (especially polystyrene fast food containers), discarded cigarette butts and even pet waste are all examples of non-point pollution - hazardous materials that make their way to the coast as rain water washes it away. Litter belongs in bins. Engine oil should be recycled. Pet waste should be dumped appropriately. AVOID COMMERCIAL CAR WASHES Fuel station forecourt carwashes use and rinse a vast amount of detergent down the drain. If you wash your car at home then you can moderate the amount of detergent you are using. WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Cars emit more pollution on start-up and short journeys. You could use your car less if you changed your habits and walked to the shops or into town. Perhaps you could car-share with a neighbour or friend or even take the bus instead. You'll feel better for it. Marine conservation on your doorstep REUSE AND RECYCLE Don't just throw it away. Investigate where your local recycling centres are and take your paper, glass and plastics along. Encourage your friends to do the same or write to the council and ask about a collection round. Hang on to your carrier bags and use them again and again. Or buy a supermarket 'bag for life' or just carry your shopping from the store to your car in a cardboard box - every time. GET INVOLVED Find out what's going on in your area and join in. It might be a river bank or beach cleaning exercise, but you can never have too many people take part. SMARTEN UP Learn more about marine conservation from the internet, reference books and videos, attending lectures and visiting aquariums. The more you learn the more likely you are to implement small changes in your daily routine and inspire others to follow your lead. PASS IT ON Enthusiasm for a goal can be infectious and fun. Share your fascination with the ocean and keeping it healthy by telling friends, family and colleagues about what you have found out.