Fisheries and Land Resources
June 8, 2017

World Oceans Day Highlights the Importance of Marine Stewardship

World Oceans Day, recognized annually on June 8, provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the world’s oceans.

This year’s theme, Our Oceans, Our Future, encourages participants from around the world to reflect on our collective responsibility to respect and preserve the world’s oceans.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have chosen to support World Oceans Day in a variety of ways. Residents are taking part in community beach clean-ups, student art challenges, information sessions and numerous other activities and events.

School-aged children throughout the province made submissions to an art and essay contest held by the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources. The contest challenged students to create a piece of art or writing that best represents what the World Oceans Day theme means to them. The contest winners have been selected and are listed in the backgrounder below.

Last weekend, hundreds of people celebrated World Oceans Day at the Marine Institute in St. John’s, taking part in exhibits, demonstrations and family activities. The event was organized by a committee of representatives from the Provincial Government, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the World Wildlife Fund, Fish, Food and Allied Workers, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and the Marine Institute.

Quote
"In Newfoundland and Labrador, our history and way of life have been shaped by the ocean. As we celebrate World Oceans Day, I encourage everyone to reflect on the necessity of our oceans and to consider ways we can better protect them for the benefit of future generations."
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

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Learn more
World Oceans Day - www.worldoceansday.org external link

Information and educational resources related to the province’s seafood industry and coastal and ocean management - www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/education/

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL external link and @FLR_GovNL external link

Media contact
Rod Drover
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-729-3783, 730-4607
rodneycdrover@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Each year the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources recognizes World Oceans Day with an annual art contest that is managed by the department and the World Oceans Day planning committee. The contest is open to students in primary and elementary schools in the province.

The winners of the 2017 World Oceans Day Art Contest are:

  • Kindergarten – Samantha Boyd, Holy Trinity Elementary, Torbay
  • Grade 1 – Brodie Erikson, Eric G Lambert School, Churchill Falls
  • Grade 2 – Hala Parsons, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Corner Brook
  • Grade 3 – Trinity Lee, Our Lady of Mercy School, St. George’s
  • Grade 4 –Adrian Skinner, Ecole Saint-Anne, Mainland and Jaden Park, Templeton Academy, Meadows
  • Grade 5 – Paige Fleming, St. Teresa’s Elementary, St. John’s
  • Grade 6 – Jarah Hale, Fatima Academy, St. Brides

The winning entries can be viewed online at: www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/education/

2017 06 08                              10:55 a.m.