4 feel-good ocean stories you may have missed: tiny turtles, puffins and more…

Who needs some good news? At times of crisis, as Sir David Attenborough says, the natural world can be a source of joy.

Here’s four of our favourite feel-good stories about ocean protection and sea life that you may have missed over the last week…

1) Nearly 100 really endangered turtles hatched on a beach

Almost 100 critically endangered sea turtles hatched on a deserted beach in Brazil.

Newly-hatched turtles head towards the ocean. Image: ASCOM DE PAULISTA

As the little turtles took their first walk down the beach and into the Atlantic ocean, only a few government workers looked on – due to a partial lockdown to prevent coronavirus spreading.

Good luck, little ones!

2) The ocean and sea life can bounce back by 2050, say scientists

Sea life and ocean ecosystems can bounce back in the next 30 years, scientists say, but we must take urgent action to restore habitats and protect species.

Rebuilding declining sea life populations and damaged ecosystems is crucial, not just protecting what still remains – scientists highlight.

We’re at a key point where the path we choose determines whether future generations will look out on a healthy ocean, teeming with life, or an “irreversibly” damaged one.

Our own action plan includes taking urgent action on plastic pollution, sewage spills, the climate crisis, and protecting at least 30% of the ocean – all by 2030. If you’re with us, join #GenerationSea now.

3) Ocado stops selling bottled water

Amid the Covid-19 crisis, Ocado has temporarily stopped selling bottled water – to help free up more space for home deliveries.

This highlights just how unnecessary single-use plastic bottles of water are for most people.

Stopping selling the “bulky, heavy bottled water” means there’s now extra van space allowing Ocado to deliver to 6,000 extra homes. That’s a lot of plastic bottles that also won’t end up in landfill or polluting the environment, too.

Let’s hope the temporary ban becomes permanent. #LessPlasticplease.

4) 100,000 puffins return home to breed

It’s almost puffling season! (Yep, baby puffins are called ‘pufflings’. You’re welcome). 100,000 puffins have returned to a small island off the coast of Scotland to breed.

After eight months at sea, the sea birds arrived on the Isle of May. They left last August to feed and raise their young in the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

The first eggs are expected in mid April. How wonderful?!

Ever wondered what a baby puffin looks like? Answer – fluffier and less colourful than their parents. This video is well worth a minute of your time…

Stay connected to the natural world while we #StayHome and #ProtectTheNHS, join our #GenerationSea movement and we’ll be in touch with things you can do from home to protect the ocean.

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Danielle Boobyer.