Clear turquoise waters, pebble strewn beaches and lush green vegetation...this idyllic image is how the Dalmatian coastline and the islands dotted throughout the Adriatic appear now. The important thing to remember when you visit this little slice of paradise is that it's beauty will only remain intact if sustainable practices are put into place.
Through initiatives such as Green Sail, there has been a recent surge in the education and awareness of Croatian people surrounding the environmental issues that come with marine tourism. The next step in ensuring Croatia remains in pristine condition is educating those who travel to Croatia on how to reduce marine pollution and their environmental footprint.
Here are a few simple steps that will help keep your environmental footprint to a minimum on your next sailing trip in Croatia.
Take all of your rubbish with you
The amount of rubbish that ends up in the Adriatic Sea as a direct result of tourism is frightening! As the saying goes ‘take only pictures, leave only footprints’. Ensure that you clean up after yourself, taking all rubbish with you when you leave.
Start a Conversation
Talk to the people you meet along the way. You will gain a deeper understanding of how tourism affects the local community and the impact marine tourism has on the Croatian coastline. Change is only achieved by education, so by starting a conversation you are enabling the transfer of knowledge and ideas!
Reduce Water Consumption
Water is a precious resource and one that shouldn’t be wasted. Keep showers short and turn the tap off when brushing your teeth!
Recycle
Recycling will reduce the amount of waste that you produce, making it less likely for you to contribute to the waste issue in Croatia! Get rid of disposable water bottles and purchase a reusable bottle instead. Using reusable instead of plastic bags is another great way to recycle!
Buy Local
Purchase your fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood local! There are plenty of local providers selling quality produce in Croatia. Not only are these products less likely to have nasty preservatives in them, they are sourced locally, free of packaging that clogs waterways and kills sea-life. Don’t forget your reusable bags!
It is not difficult to implement these small changes, but they could make all a difference, ensuring that marine pollution doesn’t spoil the Dalmatian Coastline. Eco Friendly cruises are a great way to explore Croatia and give back to the community at the same time, you can check out more information here.