The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, will celebrate World Oceans Day with students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Corner Brook on Friday, June 7, at 9:30 a.m. World Oceans Day, observed annually on June 8, encourages families and residents to celebrate and learn about the importance of the world’s oceans.

This year’s theme, “Together we can protect and restore our ocean,” focuses on conservation and leadership in preventing plastic pollution, while highlighting solutions that can inspire the global community to action.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are celebrating World Oceans Day in a variety of ways: participating in community beach clean-ups, student art challenges, information sessions, and other events around the province. The World Oceans Day 2019 Art Contest, which was open to Kindergarten to Grade 6 students, saw over 1,500 entrants create posters illustrating the importance of ocean conservation. This year’s winners of the art contest can be found in the backgrounder below.

On June 1, approximately 2,000 people celebrated World Oceans Day at the Marine Institute in St. John’s. 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.

Friday’s event in Corner Brook will be hosted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Qualipu First Nation Band, ACAP Humber Arm, and the Western Environment Centre, and feature reusable bag crafting, composting and marine debris education, Indigenous drumming, and culture sharing.

Quote
“Oceans have long been a symbol of the culture, industry, and innovation of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. As we celebrate World Oceans Day, I encourage everyone to reflect on the unique history of our province and the central role the ocean plays in that great epic, while acknowledging the need to protect this vital resource for generations to come. It is paramount that we, as citizens, work together to cherish and conserve this resource.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

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Learn more
Other World Oceans Day Events 

Newfoundland and Labrador’s seafood industry and coastal ocean management

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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Winners of the World Oceans Day 2019 Art Contest were chosen by the World Oceans Day Committee, which includes representatives of the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; the World Wildlife Fund; Fish, Food and Allied Workers; the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society; and the Marine Institute.

One winner per grade level will receive an ocean-related prize; additionally, one school will receive an ocean-related prize pack. The winners are as follows:

• Kindergarten: Brady Dicker, Cloud Rover Academy, Roddickton
• Grade 1: Oliver Manuamya Stoker, Bishop Field Elementary, St. John’s
• Grade 2: Annabelle Barry, Pasadena Elementary, Pasadena
• Grade 3: Andrew Terry, Immaculate Conception School, Colliers
• Grade 4: Lila Morgan-Northcott, All Hallows Elementary, North River
• Grade 5: Erica White, St. Bernard’s Elementary, Witless Bay
• Grade 6: Orpa Hawlader, MacDonald Drive Elementary, St. John’s

Based on a random draw, Jakeman Allgrade, Trout River, is the winner of the school prize pack