FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alyssa Isakower
World Oceans Day Coordinator
401.709.4071
aisakower@theoceanproject.org
World Oceans Day on June 8th: Healthy oceans, healthy planet!
PROVIDENCE, RI, May 22nd 2015 – Across the United States and around the world, thousands of
people will be gathering at hundreds of events to celebrate World Oceans Day.
Events will take place on and around June 8, the day officially recognized since 2008 by the
United Nations, and will be hosted by a wide range of organizations - from aquariums and zoos
to science museums, schools, fishing groups, surfers and dive clubs. United under this year's
theme, 'Healthy oceans, healthy planet,' many of the events also will invite people to take
action to prevent plastic pollution.
"The ocean is the heart of our planet, and like your heart pumping blood
through your body, the ocean connects all people across our planet,"
said Alyssa Isakower, World Oceans Day Coordinator. "People come
together on World Oceans Day to celebrate that connection, and, now
more than ever, also to help solve problems like plastic trash in our
ocean."
Celebrations aimed at younger audiences will feature the Octonauts,
the team of animated adventurers from the popular book and TV series
who "Explore – Rescue – Protect" ocean animals.
Many of the action-oriented efforts will emphasize the Better Bag
Challenge (http://www.worldoceansday.org/challenge) where people
will promise to avoid disposable plastic bags for at least one year.
More than 8 million tons of plastic trash end up in the ocean every
year, including millions of disposable plastic bags and bottles. “Ocean
plastic pollution has serious health consequences for both animals and
people" explained Isakower, “and joining together to reduce the
amount of disposable plastics we use is a great step towards shrinking
the amount of plastic trash in our seas!"
You’re invited! Whether attending a World Oceans Day event in person, or participating online,
everyone can be a part of the celebration and join in the action. The following are highlights
from among the hundreds of events planned this year. Additional events near you can be found
at http://www.worldoceansday.org/events
Events:

The 2nd Annual World Oceans Day Photo Contest co-organized by the United Nations and other
organizations worldwide, this underwater photo contest calls photographers to share the
beauty and importance of the ocean through their art. Winning photographers will be
recognized at a special World Oceans Day event at the United Nations on June 8.

Worldwide: SEA LIFE Centers around the globe will celebrate World Oceans Day at more than a
dozen locations. SEA LIFE invites little ocean-lovers to connect with the ocean by meeting The
Octonauts. SEA LIFE Centers will also be giving away free reusable bags to guests who take The
Better Bag Challenge.

Paris, France: The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO has organized a
full day dedicated to the ocean and climate. The program brings together scientists, political
decision-makers, civil society, and youth and will foster dialogue that develops strategies to
reduce climate pollution and its harmful impacts. Recommendations will be presented to the
heads of states, members of government, UN representatives and other decision makers.

Lisbon, Portugal: The Economist’s third World Ocean Summit aims to set a new global agenda
for the ocean economy. The Summit will convene more than 250 leaders from various sectors to
ignite a constructive dialogue on developing a blue economy in which economic opportunity is
balanced by responsible investment in sustainability.

Worldwide, 16 cities: The US Department of State’s annual Fishackathon event aims to make
fishing more sustainable with a weekend of connection and coding! Coders will volunteer their
talents at institutions like aquariums and universities to develop new tools that help fishers
work smarter and more safely in sustainable fishing. The event hopes to grow a network of
citizens and institutions that will continue to collaborate for a more sustainable future.

Chennai, India: The Chennai Trekking Club is bringing together corporations, NGOs, and schools
to do a massive coastal cleanup! Their ambitious goal is to host 5,000+ volunteers and gather
50+ tons of garbage.

Penang, Malaysia: The University of Science Malaysia Scuba Diving Club is holding four different
events this year to connect their community with the ocean. These motivated young people
have organized a sea turtle release, beach cleanup, charity run and carnival, and a workshop on
ocean documentaries.

US-wide: Litton’s Weekend Adventure, the three-hour programming block that airs Saturdays
on ABC stations nationwide and reaches over 10.2 million viewers each week, is kicking off a
three-week campaign on May 23 that will generate awareness about World Oceans Day,
incorporating broadcast media and multiple social media platforms. Throughout the block, onair custom promos will feature Litton’s Weekend Adventure hosts, including Jack Hanna,
saluting World Oceans Day.
A big thank you to our supporting partners for World Oceans Day 2015: Monterey Bay
Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, Ripley’s Aquariums, National Aquarium, Landry’s Restaurants,
North Carolina Aquariums, SeaWorld, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Virginia Aquarium &
Marine Science Center, S.E.A. Aquarium, ABQ Biopark, Aquarium of the Pacific, Texas State
Aquarium, Shark Reef Aquarium, South Carolina Aquarium, Living Oceans Foundation, San
Antonio Zoo, Erie Zoo, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and The Florida Aquarium.
www.WorldOceansDay.org
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The Ocean Project inspires action to protect our ocean. We advance ocean and climate
conservation in partnership with our growing global network of 2,000 aquariums, zoos, science
museums, and other organizations. Since 2002, The Ocean Project has coordinated World
Oceans Day. More can be found at: www.TheOceanProject.org. The Ocean Project is a fiscally
sponsored project of The Ocean Foundation.
World Oceans Day is a United Nations recognized day of celebration and action for the ocean,
held every June 8th. 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, and was officially recognized by
the UN in December 2008. The Ocean Project has been the lead organization promoting and
coordinating this event since 2002, in partnership with many other organizations and networks,
including World Ocean Network and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.