World Ocean Day

The concept of marking the World Ocean Day was proposed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro. World Oceans Day is an annual global observance held on June 8. The aim of the observance is to raise awareness of the crucial role of the ocean in sustaining life on Earth and to promote individual and collective action to protect the marine environment.

Oceans cover 70% of the planet's surface and play a vital role in sustaining life. From providing oxygen for every second breath we take to feeding billions of people and supporting 80% of the world's biodiversity, the ocean is critical to our survival.

It is also important to emphasize that the oceans absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, mitigating the impacts of global warming.

Additionally, the oceans are crucial to our economy, with estimates that 40 million people will be employed in ocean-based industries by 2030.

This year's theme  'Reimagine', calls for a rethinking of our relationship with the ocean. The focus is on reducing the gap between humanity and the ocean after the ratification of the High Seas Agreement (BBNJ Agreement).

Animal Friends warns that the Adriatic is one of the seas most severely affected by trawling and other types of fishing, and that Croatia must stop postponing decisive protection measures. As much as 80% of the Adriatic Sea floor has been damaged by trawling. Beneath the surface, a silent catastrophe is unfolding: trawlers plow the seabed every day, destroying habitats, killing countless animals and further exacerbating the climate crisis.

With a petition  to ban bottom trawlers, they call for it to happen now and completely.

On the occasion the World Ocean Day, the Green Sail organization 2019. recorded a video with the most famous Croatian diver, Goran Čolak, on the more alarming problem of microbial pollution.

Goran Čolak is the most successful Croatian diver and one of the most successful diver in the history of diving in the world, who has lost more than 30 national records in the championships of AIDA and CMAS, the most famous diving organization in the world. Colak is currently the most successful athlete from the AIDA World Cup with six gold, three silver and one bronze medal.