As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, law firm-led professional services business Mourant is supporting two ocean conservation awareness initiatives in Jersey.
The first of these is a new Jersey snorkel trail, Snorkel Bouley, created by UK ocean conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation in partnership with the Bouley Bay Dive Centre in Jersey. To be introduced to the island in May, the new snorkel trail follows on from the success of the Snorkel Portelet trail which was established in May 2022.
The self-guided Snorkel Bouley trail will showcase rocky reefs along Bouley Bay and around an islet, as well as a reef of kelp and seaweed stretching across the bay alongside a sandy seabed. The first snorkel, led by the Bouley Bay Dive Centre, will take place on Saturday 27 May.
As part of the Snorkel Bouley initiative, Blue Marine will work with Bouley Bay Dive Centre to deliver an educational outreach programme providing underwater experiences to over 400 children this summer.
Snorkel Bouley will also enable snorkellers to become citizen scientists via a new portal, led by the Société Jersiaise. Snorkellers will be able to record the marine life they see and this, in turn, will help track changes in biodiversity in the area in response to climate change.
The second initiative Mourant has pledged its support will be delivered by Ocean Culture Life (OCL).
OCL’s mission is to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural marine environment by seeking to deepen public understanding of the challenges facing our oceans.
Coinciding with World Ocean Month 2023, to be celebrated in June, OCL will host a schedule of events around Jersey designed to shine a light on local ocean culture. The activities include a month-long photography exhibition, school education workshops, and an all-day beach event including yoga, a guided beach clean, and guided sea swim.
The island-wide outdoor ocean photography exhibition will run throughout June, showcasing stories from around the world, with art installations at key locations around Jersey including Gorey, St. Aubin Promenade, Havre des Pas, Bouley Bay Bunker and St. Ouen’s Bay.
This is the second year Mourant has partnered with both not-for-profit outfits to support their efforts in raising awareness of the importance of ocean conservation.
In 2022 Mourant chose to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to focus on the areas it can make the most difference. The same year, in partnership with the firm’s global employee-led Environment and Sustainability Network, it developed the Mourant Ocean Pledge, cementing its focus on embedding sustainable practices into firm culture, engaging in conservation activities, and supporting the work of organisations dedicated to marine conservation.
Mourant Jersey Managing Partner Daniel Birtwistle commented: “As part of our firm’s focus on environmental sustainability, we recognise the critical role the ocean plays in our lives and the importance of protecting it. That’s why it’s so important for us to continue to support the work of the Blue Marine Foundation and Ocean Culture Life teams. I look forward to the range of events and activities that they have planned this summer, and also applaud the effort that has gone into the education programmes which will help our younger generation to understand the importance of marine conservation.”
Kathryn Smith, Jersey Project Officer for Blue Marine foundation said: “It is brilliant to have Mourant supporting the snorkel trail project for a second year, as it provides an amazing opportunity to reach and connect as many people to the ocean as possible. We are incredibly excited for the launch of our second trail in Jersey, Snorkel Bouley, and hope it will provide another insight into our mesmerising marine environment, enabling people of all ages to fully immerse themselves in the ocean. Further, last year’s education programme was an enormous success, and we are thrilled to increase the reach this year, thanks to the continued support from Mourant.”
OCL Co-Founder and Event Organiser, Tamsin Raine, added: “It’s refreshing to be partnering with Mourant who have been involved each and every step of the way to bring Jersey’s World Ocean Day celebrations to life. We’ve also been working behind the scenes with the firm’s Environment and Sustainability Employee-led Network to develop their Ocean Pledge which demonstrates their commitment not only on World Ocean Day but in the months and years ahead.”
Picture credit: Ocean Culture Life
