Did you know that “World Ocean Day” was first proposed by Canada at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro? Today, 8 June is a United Nations-recognized day of ocean celebration and action.

This year’s theme was “healthy oceans, healthy planet”, and millions of people around our blue planet took time to celebrate in many different ways.

It’s a special time for Ocean Networks Canada, who joined community events all along the BC coast, from Vancouver to Prince Rupert and a celebration in the nation’s capital.

6 June: Vancouver Aquarium, Stanley Park, BC

ONC celebrated by hosting a booth next to the Beluga Whales—Aurora and Qila—who played all day long.

6 June: Campbell River, BC

ONC celebrated at an outdoor event alongside the Maritime Heritage Centre and Discovery Passage Aquarium in Campbell River, including a screening of Reaching Blue, a film that documents the significance of ocean acidification in the Salish Sea through the eyes of a writer, an oyster farmer and an ocean scientist.​

7 June: Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria, BC

ONC spent the day on Fisherman’s wharf at Victoria’s harbourfront. It was a busy day with lots of interest from curious people who wanted to know more about the observatories and how they are used for research and teaching. Many were excited to listen to the hydrophone recordings, especially the orcas. Visitors came from as far away as Sweden, and included educators who use ONC’s learning materials in their classrooms and summer camps.

7 June: Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Sidney, BC

ONC joined over a dozen exhibitors, a band and beach cleanup at Shaw’s Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney, BC​.

8 June: Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario

ONC’s president, Kate Moran, joined the World Wildlife Fund event, which included an oyster shuck-off on parliament hill where she met others in attendance including leaders from This Fish, MEOPAR, and FORCE.

13 to 14 June: Prince Rupert, BC

ONC travelled to Prince Rupert to join Seafest, a hugely popular annual family event with over 10,000 attendees. Two main roads were closed for the highly anticipated parade. Next year ONC hopes to have a float! ONC’s booth was a hit with families stopping to chat about ONC research, listen to hydrophone clips, learn about the Ocean Sense education program, and hear about the new community observatory planned for Prince Rupert.