Natalie McIntosh
15-year-old Natalie McIntosh from London, Ont., thought of a passion project for her science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) class, and last year created a non-for profit organization called Nautical Waters that follows in it’s footsteps.
“I chose to do mine about an underwater speaker that would be attached to the side of a fishing boat that admits the sound of an orca to scare away larger animals.”
Following her interests in marine life, McIntosh discovered throughout her research about the environmental damages caused by discarded fishing nets, otherwise known as ghost nets.
“They were being taken out of the water, but it wasn’t being repurposed in any way, it was actually just going into landfills… My take on it, you’re really just moving the pollution from one area to another.”
“I kept thinking about it,” says McIntosh. “So I told my mom and then we decided that I could create my own non-profit and go from there.”
With the help of her family, McIntosh reproduces these ghost nets donated by charities and turns them into products such as bracelets, welcome mats, baskets and more. She works alongside charities including Emerald Sea Protection Society in British Columbia and Coastal Action in Nova Scotia.
Source: Natalie McIntosh
All products sold on Nautical Waters Etsy page goes back to those organizations responsible for retrieving the ghost nets and gear, with a small portion going towards Nautical Waters expenses.
The grade 10 student from Saunders Secondary School says the teachers and faculty have been nothing but supportive of her work. HighlightIng the support from strangers however as something unexpected yet heartwarming.
“I thought that originally no one was really going to take much consideration into what I was doing,” explains McIntosh. “That they just thought ‘she’s just 15, what is she going to do.’ But in reality, every single person I reached out to has replied back, saying ‘what you’re doing is amazing.’
“I wanted to make a change… If it’s something that you’re super passionate about, don’t give up. Reach out, and keep with it.”
Door mat made from repurposed discarded fishing nets. Source: Natalie McIntosh
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