Save Our Oceans: How to Have the Perfect Vegan Night for World Ocean Day
Whether you're a plant-based pro or just curious about trying your first vegan meal, sharing a fish-free dinner with your friends and family is a great way to take a stand on World Ocean Day.
With sea temperatures rising and fragile ocean ecosystems already disappearing, now more than ever we must take action to combat the devastating damage being inflicted on the ocean.
World Ocean Day is just on the horizon (Tuesday, 8 June), and it’s an opportunity for all of us to appreciate life beneath the waves, while also raising awareness of what we can do to help protect and restore our blue planet.
An estimated 2.7 billion wild fish are killed every single day and with fisheries predicted to collapse by 2050, this rate of destruction is fishing the oceans clean. On top of the environmental consequences, trillions of fish - all of them intelligent, complex individuals, are hauled out of the ocean and slaughtered using horrific methods. In addition, over 20% of the billions of marine animals caught by the fishing industry in the U.S. each year are classified as "bycatch," meaning they were caught unintentionally. These animals, such as sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks, are thrown back into the water, often dead or fatally injured.
The good news is that we can help prevent this, and one of the most powerful ways we can protect the ocean and the marine animals who live beneath the waves is to leave seafood off our plates.
So, whether you're a plant-based pro or just curious about trying your first vegan meal, sharing a fish-free dinner with your friends and family is a great way to take a stand on World Ocean Day.
Species Unite’s new campaign, Vegan Nights, is here to help you create a space where family or friends can come together, share delicious food, and foster meaningful discussions around the benefits of plant-based eating for the ocean and its inhabitants.
During your Vegan Night, you may want to keep it simple by just bringing your loved ones together for a delicious vegan meal, or you might want to make your evening a bit more elaborate with documentary screenings and activities.
Either way, Species Unite is offering a free downloadable plant-based dinner host guide, which is packed with recipes, movies, top tips and more.
Here’s our run-down on how to host the perfect evening in honour of the oceans:
EAT:
Delight your guests with some fish-free fare this World Ocean Day. Here are our favorite vegan seafood brands that offer everything from plant-based tuna and shrimp to crab cakes and smoked salmon. And don’t forget to check out our recipes for everything from “fish” tacos to vegan sushi!
WATCH:
Netflix’s documentary, Seaspiracy is a must-watch for all those looking to learn more about the workings of the global fishing industry. Passionate about ocean life, a filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species - and uncovers alarming global corruption. Seaspiracy is a shocking watch that will inspire, entertain, and inform your guests.
If you’ve already seen Seaspiracy, or you’re looking for something a bit different, check out our guide to ocean-related documentaries.
FUN:
Why not liven up your evening? Our free host guide has game, quiz, and activity suggestions. Plus, advice on how to answer questions about plant-based living!
Get Your Free Plant-Based Dinner Host Guide
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Species Unite
A collection of stories of those who fight the good fight on behalf of animals.
The footage was reportedly recorded at Marshall BioResources in North Rose, New York, where up to 22,000 dogs - mostly beagles - are being bred for animal experimentation.