8 June: World Oceans Day

08-06-23

Ocean Planet: the currents are changing" is the theme of World Oceans Day 2023, a year in the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences.
The ocean covers more than 70% of the planet. It is our source of life and sustains humanity and all other organisms on earth.

Proof of this is that the ocean produces at least 50% of the planet's oxygen, is home to most of the earth's biodiversity and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people worldwide. It is also key to our economy, as it is estimated that by 2030 there will be around 40 million workers in the entire ocean-related sector.

Yet for all its benefits, it needs more support than ever.

With 90% of the world's major marine fish species depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. We must work together to create a new balance where we do not deplete all that the ocean has to offer, but restore its vitality and give it new life.

World Oceans Day reminds everyone of their important role in our daily lives. They are the lungs of our planet, an important source of food and medicine and a fundamental part of the biosphere.

The purpose of the Day is to raise awareness of the impact of humans on the ocean, to develop a global movement of support and to unite people in a project for the sustainable management of our seas.

To this end, the United Nations has organised a hybrid (face-to-face and virtual) event on 8 June with the theme 2023: "Ocean Planet: The Currents are Changing".

Produced by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the UN Office of Legal Affairs, in partnership with Oceanic Global, this year's annual programme will extol the wonders of the ocean as a source of life that supports humanity and all other organisms on Earth.

In the case of the Caribbean

There are many aspects of the tourism industry that are closely related to the oceans, such as the cruise industry's need to be more sustainable or to implement systems to avoid collisions with cetaceans, but one that has recently become more relevant due to its regional emergency in the Caribbean is sargasso, a mass of brown algae that forms in West Africa.

It is a problem that not only seriously affects the environment, but also poses "a threat to the tourism sector and the arrival of travellers" to these destinations, according to the Association of Riviera Maya Hotels (AHRM).

So much so that the problem was discussed during the 28th Ibero-American Summit and the Dominican Republic has announced that it will hold diplomatic talks with other countries affected by the sargasso phenomenon with the aim of seeking a joint solution to the problem. They consider that a first necessary step is to declare sargassum a regional emergency so that the different countries affected can promote institutions to fight sargassum.

There are many aspects of the tourism industry that have a close relationship with the oceans, such as the need for the cruise industry to be more sustainable or to implement systems to avoid collisions with cetaceans, but one of the most relevant in recent times due to its regional emergency character in the Caribbean is sargasso, a mass of brown algae that forms in West Africa.

So much so that the problem was discussed during the 28th Ibero-American Summit and the Dominican Republic has announced that it will hold diplomatic talks with other countries affected by the sargasso phenomenon with the aim of seeking a joint solution to this problem. They consider that a first necessary step is to declare sargassum a regional emergency so that the different countries affected can promote institutions to fight sargassum.

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