World Oceans Day – History

World Oceans Day, was officially established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 to be celebrated worldwide on 8th of June annually to resolve the ocean issues and save ocean water. Earlier it was celebrating unofficially every year on 8th of June after the first proposal of it in 1992 by the Canada at “Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil”. It has been started celebrating on international level by the collaboration of The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network.

It was celebrated first time in the year 2009 on 8th of June after the official declaration of World Oceans Day in 2008 by the United Nations General Assembly in the resolution 63/111, paragraph 171. The celebration of this event was initiated by the collaboration of many countries worldwide. Oceans are the critical part of biosphere and essential element for the food security and life survival on the earth. World Oceans Day event provides an opportunity to all to combat with the current challenges spoiling the ocean cycle.

A non-profit organization of the United States, The Ocean Project, has started an advance level project for the conservation of ocean. The Ocean Project was established in the late 1990s with more than 1600 partner aquariums currently.

Another international non-profit organization, The World Ocean Network, promotes the required use of ocean with the motto “Caring for the Blue Planet, you can make a difference!”. The World Ocean Network was established in the month of November in 2002 having its office in Nausicaä (The French National Sea Centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer) France.

Annual celebration of the event is targeted by the particular theme to increase public awareness about the specific issues of the ocean. People are motivated to directly involve in the celebration through the many activities like beach cleanups, educational activities, film festivals, art contests, saving water creatures including other activities raising public awareness.

WORLD OCEAN DAY THEME

• The theme of 2016 would be “Healthy oceans, healthy planet”.
• The theme of 2015 was “Healthy oceans, healthy planet”.
• The theme of 2014 was “Together we have the power to protect the ocean”.
• The theme of 2013 was “Together we have the power to protect the ocean”.
• The theme of 2012 was “Youth: the Next Wave for Change”.
• The theme of 2011 was “Youth: the Next Wave for Change”.
• The theme of 2010 was “Oceans of Life: Pick your favorite * Protect your favorite”.
• The theme of 2009 was: “Our Oceans, Our Responsibility” and “One Ocean, One Climate, One Future”.