Today, June 8th, is World Oceans Day. Since 1992, the United Nations has formally recognized this day as a way to commemorate the oceans that all of humanity shares, to highlight our relationships with them, and to spread awareness of the importance of the oceans to not only human existence but to all other forms of life as well.
Last year, we shared a guest blog focused on IFAW’s Commitment to the North Atlantic Right Whale, written by Kathleen Collins, US Marine Campaign Manager, IFAW. This year we wanted to shift the focus just a bit and focus on other wildlife in the ocean and their important ties to the climate crisis and to us.
But first, what exactly is World Oceans Day? What was initially proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a way to honor our world’s oceans has blossomed into an annual celebration full of reports, events, and even a theme. This year’s theme is Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing. Joining forces with decision-makers, indigenous communities, scientists, private sector executives, and youth activists, Planet Ocean will “put the ocean first” with a live broadcast dedicated to generating reinvigorated excitement about protecting the ocean.
When we think of marine life and the ocean, we often think of them as far away and in a different world than us. When really, our oceans and the animals and creatures that inhabit them are as interconnected to humans as any other kind of wildlife. While these animals are fiercely important to the ecosystems under the sea, they’re also essential to life on land. Our oceans are our life support system; it’s easy to take water, a necessity that most of us can easily access, for granted. But if it weren’t for our ocean’s ability to “power the planet’s water cycle, and create fresh breathable air, we would not exist at all.” The ocean not only provides humans with food, jobs, and livelihoods, but it also provides an immense source of benefits to the well-being of all humanity. The ocean can provide nutrition, medicine, minerals, renewable energy resources as well as recreational activities, a space to relax, inspiration for art, and a source of happiness for many. Our oceans are home to vast biodiversity, all of which are important parts of our oceans and our Earth’s ecosystems. This biodiversity is also a key instrument in the fight against climate change.
“With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. No matter where you live.”
Sylvia Earle
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are one of our ocean’s most fascinating creatures. There are three main ecotypes of killer whales in the North Pacific: the Resident, the Transient, and the Offshore. The Resident orcas are split into three subcategories: the Northern resident, the Southern resident (Lolita is a well-known Southern Resident Orca), and the Alaskan; the Transient, also known as Bigg’s, named after Michael Bigg, a marine mammal specialist, are the largest of the three ecotypes; and lastly, the Offshore orcas are the smallest and have the largest range of the three types. While they’re all the same species, they couldn’t be more different from one another.
Our world’s orcas are seriously suffering. Even though these majestic creatures have been the subject of human fascination for countless years, we are letting them down. Today, there are only 73 Southern Resident Orcas left in our world. Southern Residents feed exclusively on fish, salmon making up the majority. An adult orca eats roughly 200-400 lbs of fish on a daily basis. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples and orcas have both hunted the same salmon, and many Nations and Tribes even regard orcas as relatives. Filmmakers, while producing the movie Coextinction, realized that salmon is much more than just a food source for people living along the ocean. Salmon are the lifeblood of the coast and are interwoven with innumerable species, including bears, wolves, and trees. Even trees near the rivers where salmon breed contain the DNA of the fish. Salmon are essential to the existence of coastal life as we know it. Want to get to know the J, K, and L Southern Resident Orca Pods? Check out the Orca Conservancy’s comprehensive guide!
Coral reefs are another quintessential component of the deep blue sea. Healthy coral reefs promote local and commercial fishing, as well as tourism and recreation, which benefit companies. In addition to sustaining economies all around the world, coral reefs also protect shorelines from 97% of the force of storms, floods, and waves. Despite having substantial economic and recreational value, coral reefs are seriously threatened by pollution, disease, and habitat loss. Coral reef populations around the world are seriously threatened by climate change. Hundreds of millions of people depend on coral reefs worldwide, whether for food, livelihoods, cultural practices, or economic benefits. Thanks to the adverse effects of climate change, we have already lost 30-50% of our world’s coral reefs already. Check out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Conservation Program to learn more about coral reefs and how we can help restore them.
This June 8th, take a moment to learn more about the importance of our oceans and why we should be working together to protect and restore them. The ocean covers over 70% of our Earth’s surface. It’s paramount that we take good care of them in order to take good care of our planet.