World Oceans Day 2017
World Oceans Day is Thursday 8 June 2017.
World Oceans Day celebrates the ocean and this year we are encouraging the solution to plastic pollution and preventing marine litter. The theme is Our Oceans, Our Future.
Did you know that southern Australia’s marine life is more diverse than the Great Barrier Reef, with about 85% of species not found anywhere else in the world? Our marine life is unique, making our marine life very special and worth protecting.
In South Australia our 19 marine parks have been in place for nearly five years and they help protect our precious marine life. 6% of our state waters are protected in restricted access zones and sanctuary zones. These areas are like national parks of the sea and are no-take zones.
Marine parks are internationally recognised as an important tool to protect marine environments whilst allowing for a range of recreational and commercial activities. We are working to protect the health of whole marine ecosystems, not just particular species.
Activities
Here are some fun and educational activities that will entice you out and about in our marine parks for World Oceans Day:
- Try whale watching at Victor Harbor in Encounter Marine Park or take a trip to the Far West coast Marine Park at the Head of Bight
- Attend Whale Play Day at Victor Harbor on Sunday 28 May
- Visit the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and go on a tour
- Visit the Whale Centre at Victor Harbor
- Go Beachcombing on your favourite beach. Download a beachcombing guide
- Visit the World Environment Fair and come and say hello to the rangers on the national parks and marine parks displays
- Go on a cuttlefish snorkel tour with Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries and see the amazing aggregation of giant cuttlefish
- Book your school into an aquatic program or Marine Discovery Centre Program
- Swim with the sea lions on the Eyre Peninsula.
- If you’re interested in removing rubbish join ‘Take three for the sea'
- Watch a nature documentary or read a book about the sea
- Or you could even just learn a new fact about the sea
Visit World Oceans Day website for further activities across Australia.