Oceans Day in Newfoundland and Labrador!

By Bobbi Rees

Celebrated on June 8 each year, World Oceans Day provides a great opportunity to promote the importance of the ocean to our daily lives, and to learn more about the diverse creatures and habitats in our waters and how our actions affect them.  On June 4, 2016, the Newfoundland and Labrador World Oceans Day Committee¹ held the seventh annual World Oceans Day Family Event in St. John’s. This free event, hosted by the Marine Institute, included lots of fun and educational activities such as touch tanks, ROV demos, crafts and many interactive displays. Over 20 organizations set up booths or displays and over 1400 children and adults attended!

Visitors making sea creatures from up-cycling cardboard trays!

The committee also coordinated the annual World Oceans Day Art and Essay Contests for schools across the province. Grades K-6 students were invited to submit a drawing illustrating the World Oceans Day theme “Healthy Oceans-Healthy Planet.” Grades 7-9 students were asked to write an essay about how they will make a difference and commit to protecting the ocean. To see the winners, visit http://www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/education/index.html

Visitors learning about local sea critters at the interactive touch tank.

*The NL world Oceans Day committee members include representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada-Newfoundland Region, Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Fish Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW), Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)-Newfoundland Chapter, and Wild Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada

Up-close and personal with some tiny green crabs at the DFO AIS booth.