Conservation > What We Do

"In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught."

Steph removed several fishing hooks from this pelican's neck and throat, then we cut away fishing line that it had become entangled in.

This quote by Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum sums up why we do what we do. In a world of diminishing natural resources and increasing population along with all of its demands, a balance needs to be found. We strive to do this in large and small ways:

WE PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS: Biodiesel

This cleaner, greener fuel is made from soybeans, canola or other natural oils. It may be made from recycled frying grease and it is far better for the environment than fossil fuels. It also is a renewable energy source. Its exhaust smells like french fries!

Steph brought biodiesel into the bay and we used it for years, but unfortunately, our supplier went out of business, then we decided we just couldn't afford to pay about $1,000.00 more per fueling to use it. Even diesel has hit an all-time high and it's tough for everyone who uses any kind of fuel. The heartbreaker for us is that biodiesel is better and we can't get it.

More reasons to use biodiesel: If a spill occurs, it is non-toxic except for the blanketing effect it would have on fixed marine life such as mussels, which would suffocate. Otters, which depend on clean, oil-free fur for insulation, would also be endangered. This is not insignificant, but compared with the total devastation of a regular diesel fuel spill, biodiesel is a great alternative fuel.
We were first on the central coast to use biodiesel in our charter boats. We paid over $3.00 per gallon for it compared to $1.30 for regular diesel. Price will go down as demand goes up, but few will step up to pay more for fuel. We did as long as we could, because the real costs of not doing so are unacceptable to us, but how much is enough? Who else paid thousands of dollars more than they had to, just to do the right thing?

Trash: When we're on the water, we stop and pick up trash such as balloons, plastic bags, buckets and oily rags. This may seem like a small thing, but a spot of oil the size of a quarter can foul an otter's pelt and destroy its insulation capabilities resulting in hypothermia and death. Scientists routinely find marine mammals died from ingesting balloons or plastic shopping bags. We are the only charter company on Monterey Bay that picks up trash.

Our passengers are often folks who have read a lot of our web site before joining us, so they know who they're going out with. We also usually have a good number of return customers, people who share our values. Because of this, it's not uncommon for passengers to cheer as we haul garbage from the sea.

Conservation Organizations: We support many conservation organizations by providing reduced rates for fund-raising efforts and volunteers. Bay Net, Save Our Shores, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have all been recipients of our generosity.

Research: Marine research is expensive and it only makes sense that since we are out there so much, we should help scientists who need such things as water samples for Dr. Mary Silver at UCSC, feces samples and marine mammal observations. We do this gladly and it adds to our cruises. After all, how many of you have ever seen blue whale feces?

Education & Kids: Children today need to grow up to be better stewards of nature because of all of the threats to this world. But if they don't know about the sea and its creatures, how can they care about them? We sponsor cruises for disadvantaged kids for this reason. We also offer greatly reduced rates so schools can afford to give their kids the best conservation message, not just a cheap boat ride. Our mission is to engage, enchant and educate.

Animal Protection: When we find animals that have become entangled in discarded trash such as fishing line and hooks, we help them out or call in folks who can. State veterinary pathologists know they have a great friend and resource in us. We bring in dead creatures, especially endangered species, so that necropsies can be performed to determine why the animal died. The best speciman of the highly endangered Giant Leatherback Turtle that Moss Landing Marine Labs ever has studied was retrieved after our cruise and towed in at the end of a long, tiring day when most people would have gone home. It took over an hour to reach someone from the lab, but it was worth it to further the knowledge of such an ancient and rare animal.

Enlightenment: Through our web site, we offer a clearing house of articles so readers can acquaint themselves on the problems and potential solutions (see In the News below). Conservation activists around the world send us action alerts so we can pass them on. We encourage you to become better informed,then fight for the creatures that don't have a voice of their own when policies are created for the world they exist in. To quote Martin Luther King in his fight for racial equality, "If not me, who? If not now, when?"