A Letter from an Ocean Partner: Let’s Protect the Blue Together

Update on Oct 11, 2025

Dear friends,

I am the Ocean — home to billions of lives and a companion through Earth’s long journey. Recently, I have seen many of you at the pier of Qifeng Village, standing by the water, exploring with nets in hand, stepping curiously into my world. Your arrival fills me with warmth, showing humanity’s love and longing for the sea. Yet, it also brings me concern.

The transition between summer and autumn is when I am most vibrant yet most fragile. Small fish and shrimp play in the shallows; cephalopods quietly reproduce — this is the rhythm that nature bestows upon life. However, when I see fine-mesh nets catching juvenile fish, bright lights disturbing nocturnal creatures, or people walking near shipping routes without life jackets, I cannot help but worry about the dangers hidden behind this lively scene.

The ebb and flow of tides are the rhythm of my breath, but swift currents can also become merciless traps. The influx of visitors brings laughter and joy, yet it also leads to crowded roads, potential pollution, and the squeezing of habitats for marine life. Like the fishermen of Qifeng Village, I deeply love this blue home and hope that when you come close to the ocean, you bring more reverence and less carelessness.

Therefore, I sincerely call on everyone:

Respect life, spare the small.

Please follow the principle of releasing juvenile fish, allowing every small life the chance to grow. Their reproduction is the foundation of our shared future.

Safety first, respect nature.

Tides and shipping routes are not a game. Do not go to the sea alone at night; always wear life-saving gear and follow local guidance. Your safety is the most beautiful sight the ocean wishes to see.

Explore responsibly, reduce disturbance.

Avoid using fine-mesh nets and strong lights on the water. Let marine life live by its natural rhythm. Remember, we are only guests here — they are the rightful hosts.

Embrace a sustainable “blue economy.”

Support eco-friendly tourism, such as beach cleanups and tide-inspired coffee gatherings. Replace overfishing with creative consumption and replace extraction with experience, so this beauty can last forever.

The ocean is not just scenery — it is the source of life. Every small action can become a force to protect the blue. Let us, like the fishermen of Qifeng Village, cherish nature with gratitude and reverence, and together become guardians of this blue home.