Across the world’s oceans, millions of lost fishing nets, line and traps - known as ‘ghost gear’ - pose a deadly daily threat to marine wildlife.
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In an industry-leading response, clothing brand Fat Face’s charity the Fat Face Foundation, diving specialists Fourth Element and international animal charity World Animal Protection have announced an innovative new partnership.
They're teaming up to collect ghost gear and turn it into stylish, planet-saving swimwear.
Here are 10 reasons why the new Ocean Positive Swimwear is a beach must-buy.
1 – Ghost gear wipes out wildlife
This year alone, ghost gear will endanger over 100,000 whales, dolphins, seals and turtles. Often invisible in the water, unsuspecting animals become entangled, injured and sometimes die.
Helping to reclaim and re-purpose ghost gear will save countless animal lives.
Image: ©Michael Pitts, naturepl.com
2 – Swimwear sales support a huge ocean clean-up
Divers and volunteer groups recover ghost gear and rescue animals in dangerous conditions across the world.
Simply put, buying a new bikini could help World Animal Protection with its work to reduce the amount of ghost gear entering the ocean, recover what is there and support rescue work to save animals such as this trapped grey whale.
Image: ©World Animal Protection
3 – Ocean Positive Swimwear looks great!
There's eye-catching bikinis, swimsuits and beachwear styles to suit all shapes.
They come free with the warm, fuzzy feeling you get inside when you’re doing something good.
Image: ©Daan Verhoeven
4 –You know where Ocean Positive products were made
Ethical shopping on the high-street is tough. Some multi-nationals cut corners, and it’s not always clear where clothes come from.
Fat Face’s Ocean Positive products set a retail benchmark - they're easy on the eye and ethical. They're made from ECONYL®, 100% - regenerated nylon using fishing nets recovered from the sea.
Image: ©Daan Verhoeven
5 – Wearing Ocean Positive tells the world you care
“The Ocean Positive range is a statement of intent to do something meaningful. It benefits the environment that we love and feel compelled to protect” says Paul Strike, co-founder of Fourth Element.
When you wear Ocean Positive Swimwear, it shows that you’re acting to protect marine wildlife. How often can we say that about the clothes we wear?
Image: ©Daan Verhoeven
6 – For every person that asks about your outfit (they will), you raise awareness of the global ghost gear issue!
A staggering 640,000 tonnes of fishing equipment is dumped in the ocean each year. This equals 52,000 London double decker buses! The Fat Face Foundation and Fourth Element are members of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), a group set up and spearheaded by World Animal Protection. But it needs your support in getting their voice heard.
Image: ©World Animal Protection
7 – You’ll be part of a global movement
World Animal Protection is building a global movement that includes governments, businesses and members of the public. The aim is to increase awareness, change attitudes and find new solutions.
© World Animal Protection and Greg Martin
8 – Don’t forget, ghost gear could harm humans, too.
The majority of ghost gear consists of plastics that takes centuries to degrade.
As they break down, tiny micro-plastics can enter the human body if we eat affected fish.
© Maleen and Marine Photobank
9 – And, ghost gear affects people’s livelihoods and the economy
Damage to marine ecosystems affects income and jobs in tourism, research, shipping and fishing.
The effect on a variety of ocean based industries will be devastating.
Image: ©World Animal Protection
10 – If you want to switch to Ocean Positive swimsuits, finding the right one for you couldn’t be easier!
Ocean Positive swimwear is available from the Fat Face website and selected stores.
Dive in!
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