World Oceans Day (08/06)

June 8 marks the important environmental holiday — World Oceans Day.

The idea of establishing this date was voiced at the «Earth Planet» Summit, which took place in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Since this time, the holiday has been celebrated annually on June 8 by everyone who has even the most distant connection to the World Ocean. Today, ecologists, ichthyologists and employees of many zoos, aquariums, and dolphinariums are coordinating their efforts to protect the rights of inhabitants of the deep sea and a stable environmental situation.

In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided (resolution № A/RES/63/111) that the holiday would be officially celebrated starting in 2009.



Oceans occupy three quarters of the Earth's surface, contain 97% of water reserves, occupy 99% of the planet's total area and are an integral part of the sustainable development process.

Scientists divide the world's water basin into five large oceans: Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, Arctic and Southern. Oceanology is involved in the study of the oceans, and the World Ocean is an important object of scientific research. Penetrating deeper into the secrets of the oceans, scientists continue to discover new forms of marine flora and fauna. These studies are of great importance for life and improving human well-being.

Oceans occupy three quarters of the Earth's surface, contain 97% of water reserves, and occupy 99% of the planet's total area by volume (Photo: ESB Professional, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

The role of the World Ocean in climate regulation can hardly be overestimated; it is system-forming, because its — waters are one of the main sinks of carbon dioxide. The oceans are also the world's largest source of protein, with approximately a billion people completely dependent on the oceans for their main sources of protein. Marine fish stocks, directly or indirectly, provide employment for more than 200 million people. Fisheries subsidies are rapidly depleting populations of many fish species and hampering efforts to conserve and restore the world's fish stocks.

Up to 40% of the world's oceans are considered to be severely affected by human activities, including pollution, depletion of fish stocks and loss of coastal habitats. 90% of large fish populations are depleted and 50% of coral reefs are destroyed « we take more from the ocean than can be replenished.

Each year, events organized as part of World Oceans Day focus on a specific theme. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, which sponsors the World Oceans Network, plays a leading role in supporting information events for the Day.

Thus, humanity received another opportunity, through the efforts of all people, to preserve nature at its best, to take care of the flora and fauna of the ocean. Caring for the ocean will act as an obstacle to the extinction of many plant and animal species and will allow future generations to enjoy the beauty, richness and potential of the world's oceans.

Also, as part of World Oceans Day, the UN holds an annual international photo competition, the winners of which are traditionally awarded on June 8.

Caring for the ocean will act as an obstacle to the extinction of many species of plants and animals and will allow future generations to enjoy the beauty, wealth and potential of the World Ocean (Photo: William Bradberry, licensed by Shutterstock.com)



The deepest ocean depression is the Mariana Trench, which is located in the Pacific Ocean near the Northern Mariana Islands. Its depth is 10924 meters, that is, almost 11 kilometers!

Together with river flows and precipitation, approximately 0.5 million cubic kilometers of fresh water enter the ocean. This volume corresponds to a layer of water on the surface of the ocean about 1.25 meters thick.

As you know, the name of the Pacific Ocean was given by the Portuguese navigator and explorer F. Magellan after the expedition of 1519-1522. Magellan called the ocean a «world sea» because during the entire journey he did not get caught in a storm or storm.



Infographics – poster «World Oceans Day»

2246