Held on : 8th June

Oceans World over are a source of food, transportation, entertainment and various other vital Human Activities. World Ocean Day is an opportunity every year to honour the world's ocean, celebrate the products the ocean provides, such as seafood, as well as marine life itself for aquariums, pets and also a time to appreciate its own intrinsic value. But certain Human Activities are causing pollution to this vital source of life. Vulnerable marine ecosystems, such as corals, and important fisheries are being damaged by over-exploitation, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, destructive fishing practices, invasive alien species and marine pollution, especially from land-based sources.  Increased sea temperatures, sea-level rise and ocean acidification caused by climate change pose a further threat to marine life, coastal and island communities and national economies.Oceans are also affected by criminal activity. Piracy and armed robbery against ships threaten the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping, which transports 90 per cent of the world’s goods. Smuggling of illegal drugs and the trafficking of persons by sea are further examples of how criminal activities threaten lives and the peace and security of the oceans.

It become a duty and necessity to contribute towards the preservation of this life provider source. This cause was realised by by the Government of Canada. It came up with the Concept for a “World Ocean Day” in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and it had been unofficially celebrated every year since then. Since 2002, The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network have helped to promote and coordinate World Oceans Day events worldwide. As a result of a United Nations General Assembly resolution passed in December 2008, World Oceans Day is now officially recognized by the UN as June 8th each year. Designation of World Oceans Day provides an important boost to those organizations and individuals who have been deeply committed to ocean conservation. Official UN designation is another important step toward improving the health of our world's ocean.

The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network coordinates events and activities with aquariums, zoos, museums, conservation organizations, universities, schools, and businesses. Each year an increasing number of countries and organizations have been marking June 8th as an opportunity to celebrate our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea.

Theme - The Theme of the inaugural observance of the World Oceans Day by the United Nations in 2009 was “Our Oceans, Our Responsibility”. The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, in cooperation with the Department of Public Information organised a number of events and activities at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 8 June 2009.

Holiday Status - It is not a Holiday