World Oceans Day

Source: www.theoceanproject.org
The concept for World Oceans Day was proposed in 1992 by the Government of Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and it had been unofficially celebrated every year since then. Official designation by the U.N. this year is a significant step in conserving and protecting our world's ocean.

Why Should I Celebrate World Oceans Day?

The world's ocean:

• Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
• Helps feed us
• Regulates our climate
• Cleans the water we drink
• Offers us a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines
• Provides limitless inspiration!

Why do we want a plastic-free ocean?

Plastic trash threatens marine organisms that either ingest it or become entangled in it ¹. Each year, in the North Pacific region,  more than 100.0000 marine mammals (dolphins, whales, seals) are killed by ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic ². Worldwide, 82 out of 144 seabird species examined contain plastic debris in their stomach and in some cases, it represents up to 80% of the ingested materials ³. Polyethylene bags floating in the ocean resemble the turtles’ common preys ⁴. There is evidence that the survival of sea turtles is still largely threatened by the plastic debris, young turtles being particularly vulnerable ⁵. At least 26 species of dolphins and whales have ingested plastic they found in the ocean ⁶.

Source

Keto's Spots- Towards a Plastic-free Ocean Campaign

Things YOU Can Do to Protect the Ocean

This list is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program.

Educate yourself about coral reefs and the creatures they support.

How many different species live in reefs? What new medicines have been developed from reef organisms? Participate in training or educational programs that focus on reef ecology. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the fragility and value of the world’s coral reefs.

Recycle.

This helps keep trash out of the oceans and also out of landfills where it can have an adverse impact on the water quality of our rivers and oceans.

Conserve water.

The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater eventually find their ways back into the oceans.

Report dumping or other illegal activities

Help be the eyes and ears of the reef! Your involvement can make a big difference.

Don’t use chemically enhanced pesticides and fertilizers.

Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products end up in the watershed -- the area that drains to a common waterway, such as a stream, estuary, wetland, and ultimately, the ocean.

Be an informed consumer.

Only buy marine fish and other reef organisms when you know they have been collected in an ecologically sound manner. Ask store managers where the organisms come from and how they were collected.

Become a volunteer monitor!

Participate in community coral reef monitoring programs. If you do not live near a coast, get involved in protecting your watershed. Keto Foundation will be initiating a community coral reef monitoring program in 2009 so stay tuned!

If you dive, don’t touch!

Take only pictures and leave only bubbles. Keep your fins, gear, and hands away from the reef, as this contact can hurt you and will damage the delicate coral animals. Stay off the bottom because disturbed sediments can smother the corals.