World Ocean Day is today, June 8th

The 8th of June is World Oceans Day, our annual chance to celebrate all things marine! Coordinated by The Ocean Project and The World Ocean Network, World Oceans Day encourages us to consider everything that the oceans provide us with — from oxygen to climate regulation, food to pharmaceuticals and of course, the breath taking beauty of this underwater wonderland.

Photo of a hawksbill turtle caught in a net

A variety of human factors are putting many ocean dwelling species at risk of extinction

Each year, World Oceans Day takes on a different theme. You may remember that last year’s theme was “Pick your favourite, Protect your favourite” and the ARKive team had great fun picking their favourite marine species. The theme for 2011 and 2012 is “Youth: the Next Wave for Change”, the idea being to inspire young people around the world to care for the marine environment, as the future of ocean conservation is in their hands.

We need to inspire the next generation to care for and conserve the marine environment

Wherever you are in the world there are loads of ways to get involved, whether you want to get together with friends or colleagues to organise an aquatic clean up, take the Seven C’s Pledge to reduce your environmental impact, or simply host your own celebration of the seas. If you are stuck for ideas, the World Oceans Day website has plenty ofsuggestions as well as a list of organised events around the globe, as they say, there’s an “ocean of opportunities” to help and celebrate!

Why not get together with friends to celebrate World Oceans Day and consider what you can do to help?

For those of you who live in the UK, some of our friends from the Wildlife Trusts’ Living Seas campaign for the North West will be celebrating World Oceans Day with an event at the Liverpool World Museum. Living Seas is The Wildlife Trusts’ vision for the future of the UK’s seas. Pop down to find out about the Irish Sea and get a closer look at some great specimens!

Grey seals are just one of the many fascinating species found in the Irish sea

We would love to hear from you if your are planning your own World Oceans Day activity so please get in touch and let us know what you are up to.

And if you need any more inspiration, why not check out the wonderful range of marine species on ARKive.

Earth Protect Blog

World Ocean Day is today, June 8th

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