As a lover of the sea and all its creatures, 22-year-old marine biologist Robyn Young spends much of her time advocating against deep seabed mining in her role as projects and administrative coordinator for Jamaica at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Caribbean.

Like many Jamaicans growing up, Young enjoyed going to the beach to explore the wonders of the sea. But seeing how damaged its creatures had become overtime, she sought to enact change, pursuing a degree in Marine Biology at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

“Ever since I was young I’ve always loved swimming and I’ve always loved going to the beach. So it was almost destined for me to go into this type of career because I just love the sea creatures. I love the environment and I have to make sure I do my part, taking care of it and encouraging others to do the same as well,” she told Our Today.

In her second year of University, she stumbled across the SOA Caribbean, a youth-centred organisation that focuses on the effects of marine pollution, marine spatial planning and innovative ways to bring awareness to matters of the environment.

“Just to be in the same space as people that do the same thing that I do was very heartwarming. I just fell in love with the idea of Caribbean nationals coming together for the greater good. I loved everything that they stood for and they really set the tone or what I would like my career to be like,” said Young.

Deep Seabed mining an issue

As part of their fight for the protection of marine life, SOA Caribbean has dedicated the first six months of the year to bringing awareness to the effects of deep seabed mining on the creatures of the sea. Deep seabed mining is a growing subfield of experimental seabed mining that involves the retrieval of minerals and deposits from the ocean floor.

Young shared that in Caribbean “our destinies are inherently entwined with the oceans” and it is our responsibility to play a part in its preservation. She noted that all islands depend on the sea for tourism, job creation through fishing, and the overall sustainability of the economy.

“The ocean is one of the biggest carbon sinks in the entire world. When we talk about things like the greenhouse effect and global warming, the ocean plays a very big role in that. It is something that we need to realise, accept and respect because if we go into this unmapped territory, into this unknown fronttier and we decide to dig it up or mistreat it, then what happens next?” she questioned.

To strike a compromise, the marine biologist stated that more research needs to be done about the scientific ecosystem in the deep sea, so that mining can take place without harming sea creatures.

Coral restoration a passion project

In addition to her work at the SOA Caribbean, Young shared with Our Today that she eventually wishes to venture into the field of coral restoration, protection and replanting.

Curious about the creatures of the sea and often mesmerised by their beauty, the 22-year-old would use her skills as an experienced swimmer to scuba dive and explore the ocean’s floor. But what she found was quite disturbing.

“It’s very heartbreaking when I go scuba diving or I see pictures of the reefs all degraded. There are so many corals lost to diseases that are happening right now in the Caribbean. When I scuba dive and I see that they are dying and I witness coral bleaching it really pains my heart, because I know that it is as a result of anthropogenic effects. Mankind is the one that has really caused the coral reefs to die and its really sad,” she expressed.

Since humans are the ones who continue to contribute to the destruction of these fragile systems that often sustain us, Young said persons should all play a part in helping to restore it, by taking small or even big steps.

She noted that the Government and other non-profit organisations like SOA Caribbean have been working to protect the environment, but there is always more work that needs to be done.

“I just want to do my small part because small ripples make big waves. As long as there are people like me who are ocean lovers and ocean activists that are really willing to help and take a stand for what they know is right and what hey know the environment needs, then there is definitely hope,” she told Our Today.

Young then implored Jamaicans and members of the Caribbean to individually take actions that will help the environment or join an organisation like SOA Caribbean. The organisation currently has members in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Guyana, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua and Mexico. But they are looking to further expand their membership to reach more youth in the Caribbean.

“The truth is the youth are the future and when we’re doing this now. It’s not necessarily for us to reap the benefit it is for our children and our great grand children and generations to come. So when we take a stand to protect the ocean and protect the environment right now its not necessarily for us, it is for the future of the world.”

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