Our oceans cover 71% of the earth's surface and contain 97% of the earth's water. Earth is a planet of oceans.
On average, the body of an adult human being contains 60% water. The brain and heart are composed of 73% water. Water is life.
That is why it is so important for us at the Two Oceans Aquarium to develop and inspire ocean literacy, awareness, respect and love. Today, on World Oceans Day, we aim to do just that.
We’ve partnered with Shark Spotters and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) today to create the loudest chorus of sea-positivity possible!
Join us
We’re asking you, our favourite people, to make a promise for abundant, healthy oceans. From cleaning up beach litter, refusing single-use plastic bags, volunteering at a marine wildlife establishment, going for more walks on the beach, learning to surf, or simply taking a breath of fresh ocean air – anything goes, as long as it celebrates the sea.
- Think of a pledge you can make for healthy seas – and stick to it!
- Then, show or tell us about your #MyOceanPromise on Twitter or Instagram. Simply share your promise(s) using the hashtag #MyOceanPromise, and tagging us @2OceansAquarium (Twitter and Instagram), the NSRI @NSRI (Twitter) or @SeaRescueSA (Instagram), or SharkSpotters @SharkSpotters (Twitter and Instagram). You can post once, twice or ten times!
- Share this invitation with friends, family, colleagues and your broader network.
Should you belong to an ocean- or environment-related organisation, please feel free to amplify the work that you do.
The National Sea Rescue Institute
The dedicated team at the NSRI work tirelessly to keep South Africans safe. It’s a voluntary non-profit organisation tasked with saving lives on our waters - often not only human lives! The NSRI consists of 31 coastal stations and 4 inland stations serviced by over 1 000 volunteers equipped with 96 rescue craft, 38 rescue vehicles, 16 quad bikes and 11 tractors.
The NSRI deserves your support – whether it’s volunteering, donating, coast-guarding, offering your skills and expertise, or just a “thank you”.
Shark Spotters
Shark Spotters is a pioneering shark safety programme that seeks to find a solution to potential conflicts between sharks and people. Adopted by the City of Cape Town in 2004 in response to a spate of shark bite incidents and increased shark sightings, Shark Spotters is now the primary shark safety programme used in Cape Town.
Safety, education, research, conservation: Shark Spotters is more than just “those guys with the binoculars” along the coast. Lead by Dr Alison Kock, Shark Spotters conducts applied research focused on shark presence and behavioural ecology in Cape Town. We are very proud to support Dr Kock and her team’s research on sevengill sharks through a number of initiatives.
About World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is the official UN-designated international day of ocean celebration. On 8 June every year, we celebrate the ocean, its importance in our lives, and how we can protect it.
The concept for a “World Ocean Day” was first proposed in 1992 by the Government of Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
As a result of a United Nations General Assembly resolution passed in December 2008, World Oceans Day is now officially recognised by the UN. Since 2002, The Ocean Project has promoted and coordinated this event. Among other things, they've have created the website and social media platforms, and provided other tools and resources for organisations and individuals around the world to use for free, all to help raise the profile of the ocean and inspire more involvement in helping to conserve this amazing resource we all depend on.
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This year, the World Oceans Day team have begun their #WaveForChange campaing, all about banning single-use plastic from our lives.
Remember: Everything we do on land, ends up in the sea!
