World Oceans Day is celebrated around the world every year on June 8.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, World Oceans Day will be celebrated with several in-person and virtual ocean-themed events highlighting this year’s theme, Waves of Change: Sustaining our Ocean and Climate.
A World Oceans Day Celebration will take place at the Marine Institute, 155 Ridge Road, St. John’s, on Saturday, June 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This all-ages event is free for the whole family and includes games, arts and crafts, touch tanks, science demonstrations and a tour of a fisheries patrol vessel!
Interactive virtual events will also take place June 6-8 and will include a beachcombing guide, recitations, songs and more! All virtual activities are available to everyone and will be highlighted at World Oceans Day – Newfoundland and Labrador.
Over the past month, kindergarten to Grade 12 students throughout the province submitted 575 entries to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s 2025 World Oceans Day Art Contest. Category winners are listed in the backgrounder below and will be posted on the World Oceans Day NL Facebook page and the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s at Fisheries for Kids webpage on June 8 and 9.
Officials from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture are members of the NL World Ocean Day Committee, along with representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Marine Institute of Memorial University and volunteers.
Quote
“We are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by pristine ocean waters that support our economy and our communities. I encourage everyone to celebrate World Oceans Day and embrace this year’s theme by considering ways that we can all help sustain our ocean and climate. Congratulations to all the youth who participated in the art contest and thank you to everyone involved in these fantastic festivities.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
-30-
Learn more
World Oceans Day – Newfoundland and Labrador
Follow us on X @GovNL and @FFA_GovNL
Like us on Facebook
BACKGROUNDER
2025 World Oceans Day Art Contest Winners
Kindergarten
Winner: L. Bursey – Fogo Island Central Academy, Fogo Island
Honourable Mention: A. Ledrew – Fogo Island Central Academy, Fogo Island
Grade 1
Winner: J. Penny – Fogo Island Central Academy, Fogo Island
Honourable Mention: L. Hearn – Fogo Island Central Academy, Fogo Island
Grade 2
Winner: M. Collins – St Joseph’s Academy, Lamaline
Honourable Mention: A. Curlew – Bayside Academy, Port Hope Simpson
Grade 3
Winner: H. Penton – Fogo Island Central Academy, Fogo Island
Honourable Mention: K. Nhan – Beachy Cove Elementary, Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s
Grade 4
Winner: H. Simms – Twillingate Island Elementary, Twillingate
Honourable Mention: R. White – Twillingate Island Elementary, Twillingate
Grade 5
Winner: M. Shelley – Riverside Elementary, Clarenville
Honourable Mention: C. Kelly – Random Island Academy, Hickmans Harbour
Grade 6
Winner: E. Beaulieu – Gros Morne Academy, Rocky Harbour
Honourable Mention: S. Mutrey-Noel – Carbonear Academy, Carbonear
Grade 7
Winner: P. Van Lier – Corner Brook Intermediate, Corner Brook
Honourable Mention: G. Chard – St. Paul’s Junior High, St. John’s
Grade 8
Winner: T. Naka Renyolds – St. Paul’s Junior High, St. John’s
Honourable Mention: N. Yakubu – Brother Rice Junior High, St. John’s
Grade 9
Winner: J. Hart – Riverwood Academy, Wing’s Point
Honourable Mention: M. Carey – Cottrell’s Cove Academy, Cottrell’s Cove
Grade 10
Winner: M. Priyashalini Uthayakumar – O’Donel High School, Mount Pearl
Honourable Mention: S. Mackey – O’Donel High School, Mount Pearl
Grade 11
Winner: D. McDonald – John Watkins Academy, Hermitage
Honourable Mention: N/A
Grade 12
Winner: S. Francis – Riverwood Academy, Wing’s Point
Honourable Mention: S. Dolomount – E.A. Butler All Grade, McKay’s
2025 World Oceans Day Art Contest Class Winners
S. Hillier – Lourdes Elementary, Lourdes
T. Spencer – Riverwood Academy, Wing’s Point
H. Brake – Jakeman All Grade, Trout River
M. Sharpe – E.A. Butler All Grade, McKay’s