Todd Winner/istockphoto
READ MORE ABOUT:
World Oceans Day is happening June 8 and this year promises to be a big one. That's a good thing considering that according to the World Ocean Network the world's oceans have deteriorated at an alarming rate in the past five years. Fish populations have fallen sharply, invasive species and diseases are spreading and coral reefs are dying. According to the NRDC, we've pushed 75 percent of the world's fisheries to or beyond the limits of sustainability, and 90 percent of large ocean predators—such as tuna and swordfish—have simply disappeared.
I wrote back in April about the Healthy Oceans Act which amongst other things, establishes a national ocean policy to protect, maintain, and restore the health of ocean ecosystems and requires that each agency administer U.S. policies and laws to the fullest extent possible consistent with this policy.
Check out other ways to show your support this World Oceans Day:
- Choose an endangered underwater species to support like the manatee and get involved. In 2006, a near-record 86 manatees were killed while many more had their bones broken or skins sliced by errant propellers. Now you can help these beauties escape this harsh reality. The Save the Manatee Club provides tons of information about this stunning species and offers everyone the opportunity to adopt a manatee to help these incredible animals survive.
- Make sustainable seafood a part of your life. Either consider cutting back or make sure that your consumption is completely sustainable through organizations like Slow Fish. Slow Fish is a part of the Slow Food Movement but it focuses its energies on an understanding of sustainable seafood as well as the health of the oceans themselves.
More on Oceans:
What's Your Water IQ?
How to Go Green: Water
To Support the Oceans, Support Oceana
Save Our Oceans for World Water Day: 10 Ways
Focus on Focus Earth: Ocean Protection
