National Week of the Ocean is observed during the second week of June. This year, it takes place from June 2 to 8. It spotlights the threats faced by marine habitats and species and offers solutions on how to solve them. The ocean makes up about 70% of the world’s surface, supplies about 50% of oxygen in the world, acts as a vital source of carbon and regulates the weather. Alongside these, it is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world, and it is key to our economy, with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
History of National Week of the Ocean
The ocean has been around since the beginning of time, as it houses some of the oldest creatures ever known to man. According to scientists, the jellyfish is even older than the dinosaurs, dating back at least 650 million years ago. The ocean is still largely unexplored and houses a wide array of species, from the smallest animals, the zooplankton, to the largest ones, the blue whale.
In 1992, the concept of World Ocean Day was proposed by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development (I.C.O.D.) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (O.I.C.) at the Earth Summit at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (U.N.C.E.D.) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This led to the first World Ocean Day in 1992, where objectives were set and they were to move the ocean from the sidelines to the center of intergovernmental discussions.
Coordinated efforts then began with The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network, first launching the website www.worldoceanday.org to allow others to join hands in raising the profile of the ocean, and then with “Help Make a Difference for our Ocean Planet!” in 2004, for people to sign a petition to the United Nations to officially recognize 8 June as World Ocean Day. The day was then officially recognized by the United Nations in December 2008.
National Week of the Ocean timeline
The International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada propose the concept of World Ocean Day.
The first National Week of the Ocean observance takes place.
The Ocean Project and World Ocean Network launch the “Help Make a Difference for our Ocean Planet!.”
The day is officially recognized by the United Nations.
National Week of the Ocean FAQs
What's the world's largest ocean?
The largest ocean in the world is the Pacific, with approximately 63 million square miles of area.
What about the smallest one?
The Arctic Ocean, with an area of about 6.1 million square miles, is the world’s smallest ocean.
Why is the sea salty?
The salt in the ocean primarily comes from rocks on land and openings on the seafloor.
How to Observe National Week of the Ocean
Spread awareness
Spread awareness about National Week of the Ocean. It helps others become aware of the dangers we pose to the ocean and how to curb them.
Keep the beach clean
Celebrate the day by keeping the beach clean. The amount of non-biodegradable waste that is dropped on the beach and taken into the ocean is one of the major problems the ocean and its inhabitants face.
Watch a documentary
Watch a documentary about the ocean to see exactly how much the activities of humans affect the ocean and its inhabitants. When you watch these documentaries, you tend to care more for the ocean.
5 Interesting Facts About The Ocean
Less than 5% has been explored
We still don’t know much about the world’s oceans — they are mostly unexplored.
The world’s longest mountain chain is underwater
The longest chain of mountains on Earth, the Mid-Ocean Ridge, is almost entirely beneath the ocean and stretches across a distance of 40,000 miles.
The ocean holds the most artifacts
There are about 55,000 museums in the world and the oceans still hold more artifacts than they do combined.
Half the U.S. is underwater
As much of the world is covered by water, so is the U.S., which is about 50%.
The Pacific Ocean has the most islands
The Pacific Ocean holds more islands than anywhere in the world: about 25,000 of them.
Why National Week of the Ocean is Important
It educates people
National Week of the Ocean helps to educate everyone on the benefits of the ocean as well as the dangers it faces from us. This makes people more conscious of the needs of the ocean.
It protects marine life
It reminds people that there are a lot of species that need to be protected. These species can only survive when we take better care of the ocean.
It keeps the beaches clean
Everyone loves the beach. Observing National Week of the Ocean reminds everyone to keep the beaches clean for everyone to use.
National Week of the Ocean dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | June 5 | Sunday |
| 2023 | June 4 | Sunday |
| 2024 | June 2 | Sunday |
| 2025 | June 8 | Sunday |
| 2026 | June 7 | Sunday |
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