Our greatest challenge …

By Founder, Natalie Banks

Azraq just recently turned three! As I look back, I am so proud of how far we have come in those three years as a purely volunteer-led organisation. I have been so blessed and feel so fortunate to work with some amazing people who volunteer their time for the protection of the oceans. Their input is passion driven; a drive that comes with greater force than funds alone will ever provide.

However a growing volunteer-led organisation comes with many challenges also. There are higher turnover rates and constant inductions. Our customers expect the same level of attention of our volunteers as full time paid resources, some of which work full time jobs and help Azraq out during after hours. And sadly, as a volunteer group, people often mistake that this means free services. While our pricing is kept low due to reduced overheads, our volunteers not only bring with them a great deal of experience, but also incur costs when using computers, printers, their phones, their own vehicles, and as a registered entity - we also incur permit, auditing and notary fees. These need to be recovered or Azraq will no longer be able to provide the services it does to the community. Furthermore, the experience that our volunteers bring needs to be valued... and deserves recognition.

Our biggest challenge as we grow is to ensure a consistent cash flow so that we can be sustainable in terms of longevity. A volunteer led entity like Azraq is not sustainable. It eventually needs to be led by paid resources, but we aren’t quite there yet.

We have had issues with some organisations not paying their invoices on time and our operations are, like most entities, being hampered by social distancing regulations surrounding Covid-19 and we therefore can not host the events and activities that would assist with cash flow.

Additionally, despite being provided a no objection letter from our permit providers at the Community Development Authority, we have not being able to secure a fundraising permit to enable donations to be received. Even as a registered not for profit, we do not receive any financial relief or grants for day to day expenses, whether that be for the required notary services, annual auditing or even banking fees.

Last year, Azraq for the first time ended the year in the red, coming in at just shy of 20,000 AED down. A review of our audit will show that around a third of our overall costs for 2020 were for the mandatory legal services.

Azraq only just recently received its first major sponsor, but we have some ways to go in order to increase our brand recognition and attract the type of sponsorship our colleagues receive.

On this note, we would like to thank ADNOC, Veolia, ALUCOR, Amit International, Garmin and Exalto Emirates for investing and believing in Azraq’s values and mission. Each time an entity likes this invests in Azraq, it motivates our extremely hard working but passionate volunteer operations team. For me personally, it is also an indication we are on the right path.

Azraq is at a cross roads and it certainly feels that 2021 will be the indication year for its future. While it can continue to run as a volunteer organisation, eventually burn out will occur across the team. As the Founder and Managing Director of this growing organisation, my role is to protect our volunteer operations team and ensure that they continue to bring passion to their roles in order to maximize the return to the community.

For the very first time, I am considering a paid resource for Azraq. It’s a scary thought, when consistent cash flow is an issue. We have more mandatory legal costs ahead of us. But Azraq can not afford to burn out its passionate volunteers. We are better than that.

Azraq and the marine environment we are tasked to conserve and protect deserves to be taken seriously and so, 2021 will be the year, that Azraq will morph from a teen to an adult.

It’s time that we consider the return on investment for our volunteer team in terms of the projects we take onboard and that our customers acknowledge the hard work our volunteers provide, by including service fees in our invoices. It time we stop apologizing for charging our customers to help us cover our costs.

It’s time to be taken seriously as a marine conservation organisation that does some fantastic activities for the health of our oceans. And this cultural shift needs to be undertaken internally first. That is my role for the year ahead. It’s quite a task, but I’m up for it. I know only too well what burning out feels like as a volunteer, and I recognize the signs of being overburdened when you don’t even earn one dirham for the work you do. You end up feeling resentful instead of passionate.

It is my role to prevent this from happening. It’s a tough gig, but I’ve never shied away from a challenge before...

We have your beach essentials covered this summer

As an ACTIVATE Member you get not one, not two but THREE new sustainable fashion brand partners. We have got your swimwear and fashion choices covered this summer with these eclectic labels that have stood out for their eco-friendly sustainable practices. And for that very reason our ACTIVATE members will get fabulous discounts with every single one of them. Find out more about each of them below:

Beach Seventy Six

Beach Seventy Six is a sustainable size-inclusive swimwear brand that is truly designed for with the modern woman in mind. They have stepped up in a big way this week by developing a swimsuit without econyl and is completely reusable and everytime a swimsuit is bought 1% of the sales goes to Azraq. Year-round Azraq ACTIVATE members can avail 10% off with their special code arriving in their whatsapp and inbox today.

Best Kept Shared 

Best Kept Shared is the UAE’s first peer to peer luxury fashion rental platform. They are building a community of progressive women who have both a love for designer fashion and for the planet. Aiming to extend the life cycle of garments keeping them in the circular economy and out of landfill. Want to join us in the rental revolution? Why not rent or lend your designer or contemporary wardrobe, we bet rental looks great on you! ACTIVATE members can get 10% discount on all rentals.

Salt Sisters 

 “Our products are ethically made and a part of the slow fashion movement and when it comes to the future of our planet, it’s more than worth it. It's essential.” Founder, Sophe Grace.

Salt Sister will be supporting Azraq's activities by providing 1% of all sales in 2021 to our activities, offering our ACTIVATE members a whopping 15% off and have also taken the approach of promoting the cora ball in order to offset the issues of using recycled plastics in their swimwear. 

Want to join our rewarding ACTIVATE membership program? Learn more here or email us at hello@azraqme.org.

Stranded Sea Turtles – Why it happens and what you can do?

BY AZRAQ BOARD ADVISER and MARINE BIOLOGIST, Emily Armstrong

The Arabian Gulf is home to many marine species - but perhaps the most loved is the sea turtle, with both the Hawksbill and Green sea turtles spending much of their lives in UAE waters; feeding, mating, and nesting. However, sea turtles of the UAE, Hawksbills in particular, face a unique threat in this region – temperature! Traditionally a tropical species, Hawksbill sea turtles are well suited to near-constant warm waters (around 29 degrees Celsius). In the Arabian Gulf, water temperatures can range from 40 degrees in summer, to below 20 degrees in winter. 

Young Hawksbill turtles, generally below two years old, are the most affected throughout the winter season. The drop in temperature causes their metabolism and immune system to slow down, leaving them lethargic and with little energy. In their weakened state, they are more susceptible to barnacles, algae, and other parasites, which attach onto their shells, slowing the turtles further and making it more difficult for them to dive down and find food. If the number of barnacles becomes too much, the turtles struggle to swim and often end up floating on the surface, eventually washing up on local beaches following periods of strong waves and winds. It is estimated more than 400 young turtles wash up along UAE coastlines every year, mostly in the winter months between December and March. 

If you happen to come across a stranded turtle on a beach, report it to the nearest rescue facility as soon as possible – 800 555 for the Environment Agency hotline in Abu Dhabi, or 04 301 7198 for the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project in Dubai and Northern Emirates. Never try to remove any barnacles or algae yourself, as this could damage their shell. Do not feed the turtle, and keep it in a bucket with a small amount of fresh water (water level should not cover the turtle’s head). Thank you for your efforts to help these young creatures!

The great news is that the majority of turtles who wash up like this make a full recovery, thanks to the great work of organizations such as the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the National Aquarium, and the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project. Following the period of rehabilitation where the turtles are cleaned up and treated for any underlying issues, they stay under observation for some time to ensure they can swim, dive, and feed as normal. When the weather (and water) is a little warmer, around April, and the turtles are all healthy again, they will be released back to the gulf. We wish them all the best on the next part of their journey!

Azraq Announces Launch of First UAE Sustainable Fashion Directory

Azraq, a volunteer-run not-for-profit entity, is proud to announce the launch of its UAE Sustainable Fashion Directory this March, the first in the region. Sustainable fashion labels, multi-brand stores, outlets and artisans will be given visibility and accreditation by the UAE-based and government-registered marine conservation organization, not only through a dedicated digital platform but also on Azraq’s social media platforms. The launch of the directory marks Azraq’s continued efforts to help guide and educate the community to a more sustainable way of living whilst supporting businesses in their efforts to reduce their environmental impact. For the launch phase, the directory will feature clothing, handbag, swimwear and lingerie outlets and brands such as Ayesha Depala, Peahead.eco, By M.A.R.Y, COEGA, and Vino Supraja, to name a few.

Azraq launches the directory to educate, motivate and activate the local community.  Specifically, the not-for-profit entity aims to further highlight the environmental concerns within the fashion industry. The UN Alliance reported that the fashion industry contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions, and nearly 20% of wastewater. Additionally 35% of microplastics in local waterways, come from synthetic fibres used in clothing, impacting not only marine animal health, but our own. With this at the forefront, the UAE Sustainable Fashion Directory creates a platform of impact and action, driving a change for positive behaviour from both businesses and consumers towards their carbon footprint and its effect on the oceans. 

Brands are accredited via four tiers on the directory. Tier one, the top level of accreditation, represents companies that meet eight of the following criteria; slow fashion, ethically made, the use of natural fibres, no use of plastics in materials, no use of plastics in packaging, the use of natural dyes, compostable hangtags, are carbon-neutral, support the CSR efforts of an environmental agency, promote cora balls or guppy friends wash bags or microplastic filters and lastly champion the recycling of clothing. Tier two hosts brands that meet seven of the setout criteria, tier three represents businesses that meet six of the outlined criteria and tier four at least five. 

Natalie Banks, the Founder and Director of Azraq, said the mission is to raise the knowledge amongst the community of microplastics to create conscious consumers, which is a growing population in the UAE, who want to shop sustainably for their fashion requirements. “In the UAE, Azraq is seen as one of the main marine conservation organisation, taking action to conserve and protect local waterways. With Azraq’s operations teams vast knowledge about sustainable fashion and the impact of microplastics on the health of local waterways, we are more than qualified to not only compile a directory on this issue but determine the tiers that each brand sits within, so they may be acknowledged and promoted accordingly as part of their and our sustainability mission. With this in mind, we are also passionate about acting as an advisor to brands and companies that are looking to increase their sustainability efforts,” Banks said.

Businesses looking to register for verification must follow this link and complete the questionnaire. On successful completion, the directory will link to the online store or social media page for the business and illustrate the achievements and actions they are doing to offset the negative impacts on the environment. A ‘Blue-tick’ tier system will be created to showcase the level of sustainability of each business for the consumer at an easy glance. The format of the directory will start with the most sustainable brands visible at the top, scrolling down to reveal the rest of the tier, encouraging brands to want to increase their visibility. 

For more information on Azraq, visit their website http://azraqme.org/. To register for verification, visit here https://azraqme.org/sustainable-fashion-questionnaire

-ENDS-

AZRAQ VOLUNTEER MEMBERS REMOVE 137.9KG OF DEBRIS FROM LULU ISLAND

Four of Azraq’s volunteer members, ventured out to Lulu Island in Abu Dhabi yesterday to undertake a clean up from the seabed and around the island itself, removing 137.9kg of debris, mainly plastic water bottles and fishing debris.

This initiative was undertaken with its newest partner, The Captain’s Club which provided a boat and captain for the activity.

Aside from ocean clean ups, Azraq will utilize the partnership to expand on its coral reef survey program in Abu Dhabi, with an eye on Dubai also.

Natalie Banks, Founder of Azraq, stated that the partnership with The Captain’s Club came at the perfect time, through a connection from one of Azraq’s members and partly fulfilled a long-time dream of the conservationist, to have regular access to boats for water activities.

“We have long had a dream of having access to a boat in order to undertake additional marine conservation activities, so the team at The Captain’s Club absolutely made our wishes come true when they agreed to partner with us” Ms Banks said.

“There is a great deal of debris on the sea floor which I see regularly as a scuba diving instructor, and in order to conserve and protect our local waterways, we need to not only look at stopping the debris from entering the waterways, but assist to remove it also.”

Azraq has a long history of beach cleans, which the team will continue to do wherever possible, even when having to accommodate to social distancing regulations. Nonetheless, the ocean cleans are proving to offer greater reward for effort, with larger amounts of debris found.

“Organising the removal of debris from the seabed requires a great deal of organization and logistics, and we could not be happier with the support that The Captain’s Club provides us,” Ms Banks said.

“In addition to The Captain’s Club, we are extremely grateful for the support from the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and Tadweer which sent a boat to Lulu Island to collect the debris afterwards.”

The clean ups are being undertaken by approved members. Anyone interested in joining Azraq is encouraged to do so by visiting their website or by sending an email to admin@azraqme.org