Celebrate World Oceans Day from the comfort of your home

CELEBRATE your love for the ocean and the critical role they play in sustaining life on land on World Oceans Day on 8 June.

This year, the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) highlighted one of the best ways to protect oceans and to help people: by supporting marine protected areas.

“Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are like game reserves in the ocean. They are areas of the coast or ocean that are specially protected to help people,” said the organisation. 

“Protected areas help people by keeping fisheries sustainable, keeping marine ecosystems functional and protecting our natural and cultural heritage of plants, animals and special places for ourselves and our children.”

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Just as on land, protected areas in the ocean are critical for the conservation of a variety of marine plants, animals and ecosystems.

Through careful planning, 5 per cent of South Africa’s ocean is now protected, including about 87 per cent of South Africa’s different marine ecosystems and habitats.

Since the early 1970s, SAAMBR’s scientists, based at the Oceanographic Research Institute, worked towards the protection of special marine and coastal areas on the east coast of South Africa. Many of these places are now proclaimed MPAs.

“As we cannot celebrate together – this year we have some special celebrations planned online. Many of our scientists are sharing their career advice to budding young marine biologists via a series of short videos on our Facebook page and on our website,” said the organisation.

SAAMBR is also running a photo competition on Instagram and it is the perfect place to share your favourite ocean photo.

On its social media platforms it will also share a video of kids sharing ‘What the ocean means to them’ and it will also share new World Oceans Day Fact Sheets.

Visit www.saambr.org.za, like its Facebook page (@saambr1) and find the organisation on Instagram at @SA_Marine_Biological_Research

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