June 8 is World Oceans Day. The 2015 theme for this UN-recognized day of ocean celebration is Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet. Taking action to protect the ocean is vital to creating a healthy and sustainable environment for future generations because no matter where you live, everyone’s health directly depends on a clean, productive ocean.
We strive to connect people with water, wildlife and wild places in an effort in inspire conservation of animals and the natural world. If we all do our part to protect the ocean, together we can make a huge impact on the health of the planet. Here are a few ways in which you can contribute to our ocean’s health:
Pledge to Ask Before You Order
When you order sustainably-sourced seafood at a restaurant or grocery store, you are positively impacting the future of our oceans. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices are occurring as a result of increasing demand for seafood worldwide. To ensure you’re supporting environmentally-responsible fisheries, be sure to ask your server or grocer where your seafood is from and how it was harvested. Local and domestic seafood is the best choice because the United States has some of the strictest fishing regulations in the world.
You can also support environmentally-responsible fisheries by dining at a South Carolina Aquarium Good Catch partner restaurants. They are committed to serving sustainable seafood whenever possible and promise to never offer extremely vulnerable species including Chilean sea bass, orange roughy and imported shark on their menu. Learn more about how to make smart seafood choices at scaquarium.org/goodcatch.
Make the pledge to Ask Before You Order and receive a monthly email about upcoming events, sustainable seafood news and more!
Change your plastic habits
Marine debris is detrimental to the health of the ocean and its inhabitants. Plastic bags, fishing equipment, and other plastic waste are often to blame for the stranding of marine mammals.
By reducing your use of plastics and properly recycling waste, you can help prevent marine debris and protect the ocean’s ecosystem. Follow these simple steps to reduce plastic from your everyday habits:
- Use a reusable bag when shopping
- Bring a reusable water bottle with you
- Say no to straws and avoid plastic silverware
- Opt for products that were made with recycled or biodegradable materials
- Recycle any plastics that you do use and encourage your friends and family to do the same
Get involved in your community
One of the best ways to protect the ocean is to get out there and get your feet wet! By participating in local trash sweeps, volunteering at conservation-focused organizations and educating your friends and family about the importance of ocean conservation – you are sparking the change towards a healthy future for our planet!
Join us Monday, June 8 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. as we focus on the actions each of us can take to protect the ocean and safeguard vulnerable communities and places. We will offer special activities at the Aquarium to promote a healthy ocean future, and you can take the pledge to Ask Before You Order to choose sustainable seafood for the benefit of our oceans.
Share how you’re celebrating #WorldOceansDay with us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!