What is World Oceans Day?

World Oceans Day provides ocean organisations and charities with the opportunity to raise awareness and galvanise support for their initiatives. It provides a global platform to highlight the pressing issues facing our oceans, from pollution to overfishing, and to showcase the impactful work being done to address these challenges.

Why is World Oceans Day so important?

For many charities and for-profit businesses working to protect and conserve the big blue, World Oceans Day is an opportunity for them to launch new campaigns, engage with supporters, and increase public engagement. The National Day helps to amplify their messages and broaden their reach, bringing together diverse stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and the general public. The heightened visibility and engagement on this day can lead to increased donations, volunteer participation, and policy advocacy.

By leveraging the collective energy and attention of World Oceans Day, ocean organisations can make significant strides in their missions, driving marine environment conservation and sustainable management forward while encouraging new audiences to engage with the ocean and all its awe and wonder.

Why now more than ever?

Climate change

Let’s start by looking at the role the ocean plays in mitigating climate change. The oceans regulate the Earth’s climate by absorbing excess heat and carbon dioxide. They are also a critical carbon cycle component, with marine plants and phytoplankton sequestering vast amounts of carbon. The big blue is teeming with biodiversity and is the home of countless species vital to ecological balance. From the smallest plankton to the largest whales, every organism plays a part in the complex web of life.

Well-being

Beyond their ecological importance, oceans have a profound impact on human well-being. They provide food, support livelihoods, and offer recreational opportunities that contribute to mental and physical health. The ocean fosters a sense of identity and a profound connection with nature, whether through surfing, swimming, sailing, or simply exploring rock pools at low tide. These activities enable people to engage with unfamiliar spaces, nurturing a bond and appreciation that inspires a sense of stewardship and protection for these marine environments.

The economic value of the world’s oceans

The ocean economy is estimated to generate about $2.5 trillion annually, making it comparable to the world’s seventh-largest economy. This valuation includes goods and services provided by marine and coastal environments, such as fishing, tourism, shipping, and carbon sequestration. The total asset value of the oceans is estimated at over $24 trillion​ (BCG Global)​​ (Green Economy Coalition)​.

Although calculating nature’s ‘value’ is complex, assigning financial worth to our green and blue spaces can help incentivise governments and large multinational organisations to prioritise their protection.

We wrote a blog titled ‘The Challenges vs Opportunities of Nature Communication’, you can check it out here. We also recently hosted an event in London titled ‘Making Nature Investable’, which brought together experts to discuss the significance of investing in nature and the challenges that arise when attempting to quantify nature’s economic value. You can watch our behind the scenes video from this event here.

6 Ocean Organisations Creating Waves of Change

Whether you’re looking at the economic output of our oceans or the overall health of our marine ecosystem and the millions of species that rely on it, protecting the ocean from threats such as climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction is crucial.

Addressing these threats requires significant investment in ocean health and sustainable practices. International cooperation, robust policy frameworks, and innovative public-private partnerships are essential to reversing the damage and ensuring the long-term viability of ocean resources.

We asked experts, founders and thought-leaders from seven ocean organisations about what World Oceans Day means to them and how they are leading the way to create change.

1) Oceana

Oceana is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. Their campaigns focus on reducing overfishing, protecting marine habitats, and curbing pollution. Oceana has successfully campaigned for the establishment of marine protected areas and the implementation of sustainable fishing practices. Their advocacy has led to policy changes that safeguard marine environments and ensure long-term sustainability.

“World Ocean Day gives us all a moment to reflect on the enormous good that comes from safeguarding our seas from threats like oil pollution and destructive forms of fishing. The ocean really is our life support system, and properly protecting it gives us a stable climate, flourishing wildlife, and thriving coastal communities.  World Ocean Day is our chance to shout that from the rooftops.” Hugo Tagholm, Executive Director, Oceana UK and Non-Executive Director at Enviral

Oceana has a vision for the seas and coastal areas surrounding the U.K. to be diverse, healthy, and abundant. If we protect our ocean, it can protect us. To achieve this vision, they are calling for an end to destructive bottom-trawl fishing, which is currently bulldozing UK Marine Protected Areas. As well as an end to the overfishing that is starving our seas.

As well as driving the climate crisis, oil and gas developments have a deeply destructive impact on UK sea life. Direct damage from drilling decimates the ocean habitats that we depend on. A toxic cocktail of pollutants, including neurotoxins, plastics, and, of course, oil itself, pours from these developments into our seas—often out of sight of public view.

“We cannot sell off our seas, wildlife and futures to big business. That is why we are fighting for an end to new oil and gas and a just transition to renewable energy and healthy seas.” – Dr Daisy Brickhill, Head of Communications, Oceana.

2) Blue Ventures

Blue Ventures promotes sustainable fishing practices, empowers communities through marine stewardship, and enhances coastal ecosystems’ resilience. The marine conservation charity has an innovative, community-centred approach that integrates conservation and livelihood improvement, fostering both environmental and social benefits. Through their efforts, Blue Ventures aims to create lasting, positive change for marine biodiversity and the people who depend on it.

We caught up with Elsa Pullman, the European Campaign Advisor who shared information on the Make Fishing Fair campaign, Elsa is currently working on this campaign as part of the Transform Bottom Trawling coalition in collaboration with LIFE (Low Impact Fishers of Europe), Patagonia, and a coalition of EU Ocean NGOs.

The primary aim of the Make Fishing Fair campaign is to address the significant imbalance between the low-impact, small-scale fishing industry and the high-impact, large-scale fishing industry, particularly bottom trawling, through a just transition.

Over the past six months, Blue Ventures has partnered with various European small-scale fisher groups to draft an Open Letter to the European Commission. This letter, signed by 37 small-scale fisher groups representing thousands of low-impact fishers, outlines the concerns and proposals. Last week, together with small-scale fishers from Europe, they successfully delivered the letter to the Commissioner’s team in Brussels and engaged in discussions on how they plan to respond to our calls for action. Check out the photos of the Blue Ventures team handing over the open letter below.

“World Oceans Day is an opportunity to welcome new advocates into the bubble of ocean protection, shining a crucial spotlight on the ocean. This day highlights not only the ongoing destruction but also the incredibly inspiring efforts of thousands of communities worldwide dedicated to its protection. Special attention should be given to the fishers and Indigenous communities who have been safeguarding the ocean for centuries.” – Elsa Pullman, European Campaign Advisor, Blue Ventures  

Blue Ventures delivers the co-signed open letter to the European Commission and discusses plans for responding.

3) Câr-y-Môr

Harnessing the ocean’s bounty, Câr-y-Môr utilises innovative techniques to farm seaweed without fertilisers, pesticides, or freshwater. This embodies a commitment to net-zero climate goals and fosters biodiversity.

Câr-y-Môr translates to ‘for the love of the sea’ in Welsh. The community-owned business was officially founded and registered in 2019 on the wild Welsh coast of Pembrokeshire. Since then, membership has grown to over 400 members. Find out more about becoming a member here.

From the sea to the soil: The team at Câr-y-Môr recently launched an exciting new product that will use seaweed to enhance soil health and support sustainable agriculture. This new product involves producing a biostimulant from the seaweed harvest and is a game-changer for farmers looking to improve crop yields while minimising environmental impact. This new product not only promotes healthier ecosystems but also strengthens the coastal community by providing sustainable solutions and job opportunities. Find out more about Câr-y-Môr’s new seaweed biostimulant here.

“Our oceans are the lifeblood of our planet, sustaining diverse ecosystems and human communities alike. On World Oceans Day, we are reminded of our responsibility to protect these vital waters for future generations, ensuring that they remain vibrant and thriving for years to come.” François Beyers, Co Founder, Câr-y-Môr

Watch the short film ‘For The Love Of The Sea’ by Patagonia, which tells the story of Câr-y-Môr and the local community members using the regenerative ocean farm off the coast of St. Davids to help mitigate the effects of climate change while nourishing people in many ways.

4) Blue Marine Foundation

Blue Marine Foundation is a charity dedicated to restoring the ocean to health by addressing overfishing, one of the world’s biggest environmental problems. It has effectively established marine reserves across the globe and is responsible for protecting 4 million square kilometres of ocean in the UK Overseas Territories. Learn more about the incredible projects here.

Blue Marine is proud to have played a role in the UK Government’s recent announcement to back the global calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Emma Nicol, the Senior Communications Officer at Blue Marine Foundation, tells us about the incredible success of this campaign below.

“For years, a number of NGOs (many of them members of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition)have pushed for the UK to adopt a progressive and conservation-minded stance to protect our fragile and incredibly important deep-sea ecosystems. In support of these calls, in 2023, Blue Marine sought to influence the UK government to change its position on deep-sea mining. Working with partners Minderoo Foundation and Hanbury Strategy, Blue Marine ran a media and policy campaign that spanned press, social media, public petition, influencer outreach andlobbying events.”

The combined pressure saw a parliamentary petition, initiated by the Environmental Justice Foundation and supported by Blue Marine, close at more than 35,000 signatures. A month later, the government announced it would support a moratorium. “It is our hope, following the upcoming election, that the incoming government continue to support a moratorium on deep-sea mining.”

Find out more about the incredible campaign win by reading ‘A glimmer of hope in the deepest, darkest depths | Blue Marine Foundation.’

Emma Nicol explains, “The success of this campaign, which ran concurrently alongside press media and policy work, shows how compelling visuals, narratives and marketing can be leveraged for conservation gain and turn government policy on its head.”

“The ocean means different things to different people, and World Oceans Day can help ocean charities like Blue Marine spread the message that you don’t need to live by the ocean to play a role in protecting it.  Through our projects, campaigns, partnerships, communications and outreach, we hope to inspire and catalyse everyone to take action for the ocean and help us solve one of the world’s largest solvable problems: the destruction of the ocean. “ Emma Nicol, Senior Communications Officer, Blue Marine Foundation

Click here to read our 2023 annual review. For more regular updates, sign up to our monthly newsletter ‘Into the Blue’ here.

5) Notpla

Notpla is a London-based sustainable packaging innovator and are on a mission to restore the health of our planet. Using natural, renewable resources such as seaweed, the team have created fully-scaled, alternative solutions for many single-use plastic packaging items used in our everyday lives.

To date, Notpla have replaced over 10 million items of single-use plastic from entering our oceans and land! Thanks to a fast, scale-up journey over the past 2 years that’s been peppered with major award wins, legislative breakthroughs and public recognition, Notpla are on track to grow that figure by at least 10 times in the next 3 years – helping to answer the continued calls from consumers for truly plastic-free solutions.

“World Oceans Day is a crucial day for us at Notpla because it aligns with our core mission of restoring the health of our planet. The oceans are the lifeblood of Earth, providing essential resources, regulating our climate, and supporting countless marine species. However, the growing problem of plastic pollution threatens this whole ecosystem. At Notpla, we’re deeply committed to combating this issue by developing innovative, sustainable packaging solutions made from natural, renewable resources like seaweed. By replacing single-use plastics with our eco-friendly alternatives, we strive to protect our oceans from further degradation and ensure a healthier future for all life on Earth. World Oceans Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need for collective action to preserve and restore our oceans and it inspires us to continue our efforts to do that.” Niall Russell, Head of Marketing, Notpla

Check out the video below, which highlights some of the incredible partnerships that Notpla have created with Just Eat, Lucozade, Tropicana and The Glenlivet – providing them with packaging that disappears.

6) Oceanic Global

Oceanic Global is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting ocean conservation through sustainable practices and advocacy. Oceanic Global’s core programs focus on plastic, climate resilience, ocean literacy, and ecosystem health. The charity collaborates with businesses, governments, and communities to implement sustainable practices and policies. Additionally, Oceanic Global organises educational events, campaigns, and partnerships to foster a collective effort to protect oceanic ecosystems and ensure their health for future generations.

For the first week of June, Oceanic Global is partnering with UN DOALAS to host the United Nations World Oceans Day (UN WOD) annual event.

Since its inception in 2008, UN WOD has celebrated the ocean in recognition of its importance as the sustainer of all life on earth. As the ocean’s challenges continue to grow, so does the need to understand them and mobilise globally. This year’s UN WOD is focused on the theme ‘Awaken New Depths’. Oceanic Global are working alongside global policy-makers, scientists, managers, thought leaders and artists to motivate widespread momentum for our blue planet and awaken new depths of understanding, compassion, collaboration and commitment to protect the ocean and all it sustains.

The virtual livestream at www.unworldoceansday.org will be broadcast from 10am to 1:30pm EST. It is free, open to the public, and accessible worldwide to promote global engagement with vital ocean education. The annual event will take place on Friday, June 7, 2024, and is hosted by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS), in partnership with Oceanic Global.

“World Oceans Day, in hosted partnership with UN DOALAS and Oceanic Global, is a standout moment year after year because it provides a truly international stage to explore our relationship with the ocean. Ocean-focused global convenings tend to feel quite inaccessible and often disconnected to how the majority of individuals understand and engage with marine spaces: whether that’s through outdoor recreation, admiration for the expansive ecosystem, or communities dependent on ocean resources. OG conceptualises this event to feel approachable and exciting for individuals of all backgrounds.” Katherine Guerrero, Policy & Advocacy Manager, Oceanic Global 

Beyond the UN event, World Oceans Week (the first week of June) has become a collective opportunity to tap into the heart of why we care for our oceans. There are so many celebrations, gatherings, and collaborations around this day, which beautifully create the space and excitement for conversation, collaboration, and care for this vital shared resource. Oceanic Global works year-round to capture this energy through various programs, including the Oceanic Global Hubs. They are currently expanding the London hubs and invite interested folks to share interests here.

7) Surfers Against Sewage

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a UK-based environmental charity focused on protecting oceans, waves, beaches, and marine life. Founded in Cornwall in 1990 by a handful of ocean activists who were fed up with surfing in polluted water, the small group of surfers started a local uprising which has since grown to a nationwide movement of community activists. SAS advocates against marine pollution, promotes ocean conservation, and supports sustainable coastal communities. Through campaigns, education, and community engagement, Surfers Against Sewage addresses issues like plastic pollution, sewage contamination, and climate change, aiming to ensure clean, healthy seas for everyone to enjoy.

“World Ocean Day provides a moment for us to unite and reflect on the importance of the ocean and the vital service it provides to us all each and every day, no matter where we live. With this year’s general election coming up, we’ve got a chance to use our collective power to turn our anger into action and ensure the next government deliver bold plans to protect and restore the ocean and all it makes possible.” – Henry Swithinbank, Policy and Advocacy Manager

If you’re interested in signing up to become an Ocean Activist, head to this link. Sign up to become an SAS member by clicking here.

Watch the powerful film produced by marine biologist and filmmaker Tom Mustill for SAS titled ‘Thank You, Sea.’ The film acts as a beautiful reminder of how much the sea means to us.

As we celebrate World Oceans Week, it’s crucial to remember that individual actions and support for ocean charities can collectively create a significant impact. Here are some practical steps to get involved:

• Donate: Consider contributing to charities like Oceana, Surfers Against Sewage, Blue Maine Foundation and Oceanic Global to support their ongoing efforts to protect ocean life.
• Participate in Cleanups: Join local beach, ocean and river cleanups to help reduce pollution and protect marine life. Climate anxiety takes a real toll on people working directly in conservation and sustainability as well as those who care deeply for our planet and it’s precious resources. Cleanups are a great chance to meet with like-minded activists and leave you feeling empowered and part of something bigger.
• Advocate for Policies: Support and advocate for policies that protect marine environments and promote sustainable practices.
• Reduce Plastic Use: Make a conscious effort to reduce your plastic consumption and choose sustainable alternatives.

World Oceans Day is a time to reflect on the importance of our oceans and the role we all play in their preservation. By taking individual actions and supporting the vital work of ocean charities, we can ensure the health and sustainability of our blue spaces for generations to come. Remember, the ocean’s wellbeing is our wellbeing – let’s work together to protect it.

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