World Ocean Day is celebrated on June 8th. The theme for 2025 is wonder, sustaining what sustains us. The ocean inspires wonder in many of us, whatever form we engage with it. This might be rock-pooling along rocky shores, snorkelling in clear waters, watching dolphins cruise along the coastline or just walking along the beach.
Our ocean is perhaps our most important environment, covering more than 70% of Earth. It has a huge significance: it provides vital and varied habitats for wildlife like sharks and whales, to tiny phytoplankton. It also has a huge host of benefits for us directly, from supplying food for over 1 billion people, to providing jobs for millions globally.
Unfortunately, humans have had - and continue to have - a negative effect on our oceans. They are faced with issues like climate change, pollution and overfishing. But there are a vast number of people working to effect positive change and tackle these issues head on. And ecosystems and species show a remarkable ability to recover from pressures, if we act quickly enough!
At Humber Nature Partnership, our work focuses on the the Humber Estuary, which flows directly into the North Sea. It is a European Marine Site, Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Humber supports a number of internationally important habitats and species; like lampreys, curlews, otters, saltmarshes and mudflats. If we all work on helping our local habitats and species to thrive, this will support wider ocean conservation. So this World Ocean Day, let's get outside and enjoy and appreciate the ocean!
LY
