Why do we celebrate World Ocean Day?
World Oceans Day is an annual global event held on June 8th to promote the conservation and protection of the world's oceans.
Why is the Ocean so important?
Because everyone depends on it, animals, plants, and us, humans!
The ocean covers 70% of the Earth's surface and contains 97% of the world's water.
It's the heart of our planet, providing food, regulating our climate, and generating most of the oxygen we breathe.
The ocean is also home to 94% of the Earth's wildlife, from the smallest algae to the largest creature, the mighty blue whale.
Why does the Ocean need protection?
The Earth’s oceans are currently facing numerous threats from human activities such as unregulated fishing, marine pollution, overexploitation, and habitat destruction.
Great Blue Heron with a fishing line stuck in his beak from the dead fish he picked up. (zoom in to see it)
Luckily after struggling with it for a while, he was able to get rid of it.
This has resulted in the destruction of marine habitats, including coral reefs, due to coastal pollution, which has negatively impacted the ecosystems that marine plants and animals rely on for survival.
Additionally, irresponsible fishing methods, such as bottom trawling and overfishing, have led to the depletion of fish stocks at a rate that surpasses their ability to replenish.
On World Oceans Day, individuals have the opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the ocean and its resources through personal or community efforts.
To celebrate our oceans, here are some actions you can take every day:
Eat only sustainable seafood
Seafood is a crucial source of nourishment for people all over the world. Unfortunately, some fishing techniques are causing harm to wildlife.
The populations of top ocean predators, such as sharks, tuna, and swordfish, have declined by up to 90% in the last 50 years due to overfishing and destructive practices. Bycatch is also a significant issue, where unintended victims like dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles are caught during fishing and often thrown back into the sea dead or dying.
However, sustainable fishing practices can ensure responsible harvesting and help protect marine life. It is important to look for labels that indicate the usage of sustainable practices when choosing seafood to consume.
If possible, avoid using plastic
Why?
Animals often ingest plastics by mistake, leading to choking or blockages in their digestive systems.
This has a significant impact on ocean contamination.
To help preserve the ocean, reducing the use of single-use plastics is a great start.
Consider purchasing reusable bags for grocery shopping and ditching plastic straws and disposable cups. These small changes can make a big difference.
DON’T BUY PRODUCTS THAT EXPLOIT OCEAN WILDLIFE
Many individuals tend to overlook the impact of products that exploit sea creatures, such as coral or sea turtle shells used for jewelry and other items sold at vacation destinations.
Despite the allure of these products, they have detrimental effects on ocean ecosystems and the animals themselves.
To mitigate this issue, one could opt to avoid purchasing such products and instead choose to support ocean conservation by buying products that align with this cause.
Leave only your footprint behind on the beach!
Leaving litter on the beach is a major concern for our oceans.
Unfortunately, many individuals tend to leave their trash behind after a day at the beach.
This trash often ends up in the ocean, posing a risk to marine life. We all must take responsibility and make an effort to care for our beaches to protect the ocean.
As a first step, we should all clean up after ourselves and ensure that we leave the beach spotless. I
If you want to go the extra mile, volunteering with organizations that conduct beach cleanups is an excellent way to help save the ocean.
Bottlenose dolphin happily swimming in the Gulf of Mexico
