Today is World Oceans Day, and the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is encouraging public participation in virtual events and activities.
World Oceans Day is observed globally each year on June 8 to highlight the importance of protecting and sustaining the world’s oceans and marine ecosystems. Oceans cover over 70 per cent of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth. It is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people.
Visit the Newfoundland and Labrador World Oceans Day Committee Facebook page for a list of events and activities including a tutorial on how to make Ghost Net Bracelets by repurposing rope that has washed up on our beaches.
Other World Oceans Day Scheduled Activities you can participate in include:
- “Family Bubble” beach clean-ups
- Oceans Trivia
- Virtual readings of the children’s books ‘Charley, A Day in the Bay’ and ‘Green Crab Invasion’, with co-author Shannon Fisher here.
- The Better Bag Challenge available here.
The World Oceans Day Newfoundland and Labrador Facebook page is also show casing art contest entries submitted by grades K-12 students from around the province. This contest resulted in 827 entries, a significant increase over the 200 entries received in 2020. Contest winners are listed in the backgrounder below.
Several other fun-filled virtual events were hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador World Oceans Day Committee, which is comprised of representatives from Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Canadian Parks Wilderness Society NL Chapter, Fish Food and Allied Workers Union – Unifor and the Marine Institute.
Quote
“As we celebrate World Oceans Day, I encourage everyone to reflect on the true value of our ocean resources and consider the actions we can take to promote healthy ocean ecosystems for future generations. Newfoundland and Labrador has a unique bond with the ocean, one that has given us a long-standing and lucrative fishing industry that employs over 16,000 people annually and is worth over $1 billion annually to the provincial economy.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
– 30 –
Learn more
World Oceans Day – NL Facebook Page
Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
2021 World Oceans Day Art Contest Winners
L. Bellows
Kindergarten student from Port Rexton who attends Bishop White School
S. Pye
Grade 1 student from L’Anse au Loup who attends Labrador Straits Academy
G. Coleman
Grade 2 student from Corner Brook who attends Immaculate Heart of Mary School
S. Jane Aylward
Grade 3 student from Witless Bay who attends St. Bernard’s Elementary School
K. Cleary
Grade 4 student from Paradise who attends Paradise Elementary School
K. Hutchings
Grade 5 student from Cow Head who attends Long Range Academy
A. Campbell
Grade 6 student from St. Johns who attends École des Grands Vents
S. Hamili
Grade 7 student from St. Johns who attends Brother Rice Junior High School
M. Smith
Grade 8 student from Lourdes who attends Lourdes Elementary School
S. Cumby
Grade 9 student from Upper Island Cove who attends St. Peters Elementary
L. Keefe
Grade 10 student from Summerford who attends New World Island Academy
J. Adams
Grade 11 student from Summerford who attends New World Island Academy
A. Smith
Grade 12 from Summerford who attends New World Island Academy