On June 8, Do Something for the Oceans

June 8 is World Oceans Day. We call on our mariners and seafarers to celebrate by doing something that benefits our oceans (see our ideas below).

Oceans deserve our attention. They are vast resources for commerce and pleasure. At any given time, 50,000 merchant ships are crisscrossing the seas. While it’s difficult to estimate the number of recreational boaters on the Earth’s oceans, we know that 100 million Americans go boating each year, the majority of which are on oceans. 

The concept of a World Oceans Day was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate our world’s shared oceans and our connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness about the crucial role the oceans play in our lives and the important ways people can help protect them.

World Oceans Day is a global observance that aims to raise awareness about the importance of the oceans and promote the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources. The day serves as an opportunity to highlight the critical role the oceans play in our lives, including their significance for biodiversity, climate regulation, food security, and economic development.

Each year, World Oceans Day has a specific theme to focus on particular aspects of ocean conservation. The theme for World Oceans Day in 2023 is “Planet Ocean: tides are changing.”

Amazing ocean facts you may not know!

Oceans cover 71% of the Earth’s surface (and contain 91% of the Earth’s water and 94% of the Earth’s living creatures). While these are stunning perspectives, did you know:

• There are more historic artifacts under the sea than in all the world’s museums.
• The great barrier reef in Australia can be seen from the moon.
• Ninety percent of the earth’s volcanic activity happens in the oceans.
• The deepest part of the ocean is called the Mariana Trench, which is around 7 miles deep and located in the South Pacific Ocean.
  

More amazing perhaps is that we know so little about our oceans. Only five percent of the oceans’ floor has been mapped in detail. Much about oceans remains a mystery.

Our oceans are resilient, but need our help

What we know for sure is that our oceans need care. They’re getting warmer. But there’s lots of good news, too, all thanks to human intervention:

• Humpback whales have come back from 1,500 to 40,000 and no longer are endangered.
• Glowing LED fishing nets have cut unwanted bycatches of endangered species (sharks, skates, and rays) by 63%.
• Some states and countries are banning microplastics.
• The world’s most valuable fisheries, making up 34% of global captures, are healthy.

Five ways to celebrate World Oceans Day

Here are five ways to honor World Oceans Day on June 8 (and not all of them require you to get wet):

1. Watch an ocean film. Here’s a list of the top 25.
2. Get out on the water. Cruise, sail, paddle, breathe deep, and enjoy the beauty. 
3. Join a World Oceans Day event. Their commitment this year is “30×30,” meaning to protect 30% of the planet’s lands, waters and oceans by 2030. Their list of events grows every day.
4. Decorate your home with a framed ocean chart  that has a personal history for you. You can even order wallpaper charts.
5. Participate in a beach cleanup. Ocean Conservancy organizes groups. 

The Marine Stewardship Council is a great resource for getting more involved in World Oceans Day and for participating throughout the year in efforts to protect our oceans.