DORSET sailor Pip Hare joined 73 other seafarers in calling for more action to be taken to protect the world’s oceans.

The British professional ocean racer read out the English version of the letter before to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, at The One Planet Summit for the Ocean in Brest, France.

Pip is one of 73 professional sailors, offshore rowers and ocean explorers to sign the open letter calling for the world’s leaders to take action to protect the planet’s oceans.

She said, “All of us who’ve signed this letter have seen first-hand how our oceans are deteriorating – from floating plastic debris to reducing amounts of wildlife. And it’s heart-breaking.

“It’s uncomfortable to present problems when you can’t provide the solutions. But I do feel that as a community who spend our lives on the world’s oceans, we have a responsibility to use our experience as ocean travellers and platform in the media as sportspeople to draw attention to this very real issue.

“Because it will take action from all of us – as professional sailing teams, individual citizens and governments – to turn the tide on the damage we’ve already done to our oceans and climate.”