World Oceans Day — June 8

World Oceans Day 2011 Journée mondiale des océans

World Oceans Day, June 8, is a time to remember the life-giving role of oceans. The Government of Canada proposed the concept of World Ocean Day in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the day had been celebrated internationally ever since. As of 2009, June 8 has been officially declared by the United Nations as "World Oceans Day."

• Why our oceans are important
• Objectives of World Oceans Day
• World Oceans Day 2011 — Events and Activities
• Minister's Statement
• Archive of Events
  • 2009
  • 2010

Why our oceans are important

We are all connected to the oceans no matter where we live — inland or on the coast. By exploring our links to the oceans, we learn how closely connected we are to the ocean, and how what we do in our backyard and community can have a positive or negative affect on our oceans.

Water travels from our oceans to the atmosphere, to land, to rivers and back to our oceans again. Our water resources are limited. The water now present on Earth is all there is. Protection of our oceans starts with protection of our rivers, and protection of our rivers starts with each of us.

Objectives of World Oceans Day

• Change attitudes — encourage individuals to think about what the oceans mean to each of us, and what oceans have to offer.
• Learn — discover the wealth of diverse and beautiful creatures and habitats found in the oceans, and how our actions affect them.
• Change our ways — encourage each of us to become caretakers of our oceans, and to conserve them for our future.
• Celebrate — organize or participate in ocean events, whether we live inland or on the coast.

World Oceans Day - Partnerships

Want to know what Canadians are doing to celebrate World Oceans Day from coast to coast to coast? You’ve come to the right place! Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other organizations hold events and activities. Celebrate the life-giving role of oceans worldwide and take part in stewardship activities. Or plan and register your own event!. Go to:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Events and activites.

Many other organizations sponsor World Oceans Day activities. For a sample visit WorldOceansDay.org

Ten things you can do to help protect our oceans — Other ways to make a difference.