It's World Oceans Day!

Albus_Scope

Ahoy there land-lubbers!

Our oceans, spanning a whopping 71% of the planet's surface, are the real workhorses of Earth's life support system. They're not just vast bodies of water; they're the ultimate multitaskers, dishing out oxygen like it's their side hustle and serving up delicious food for billions. Yet we often take advantage of our oceans and don't give them the love they really deserve.

Did you know there's around 242,000 different species of animal in our oceans? With around 2,000 additional species found each year? Yet only 5% of the ocean has been explored, so who knows what amazing discoveries are down there?

It contains the most biodiversity on the planet, but all of the creatures that live in it and nourish us are at threat, especially the much loved (and essential to all marine life) corals, which are estimated to become extinct in the next 20 years unless we do something about the climate crisis. This is especially important as oxygen produced by coral accounts for 50% of the oxygen we breathe, and removes 1/3rd of the carbon dioxide created from burning fossil fuels, despite them only taking up 0.0025% of the ocean floor. They're the real heroes of our ecosystem. 🤩

Each year World Oceans day has a different theme and this years is Sustainable Fishing Means More. This year's theme underscores the importance of sustainable fishing practices in ensuring the health and abundance of marine resources for generations to come. Notice the price of your fish and chips has gone up? That's not just the cost of living crisis affecting us, that's overfishing of cod too!

Wow, that got a bit heavy there for a minute, spot the fish nerd. 😅

So let's keep this fun and fluffy (or scaly/finny) and let me know what your favorite sea creature is? Are you a fan of our oceans? Do you believe in sea monsters?

Let me know and let's get chatting. 😁

Jimm_Alumni

Me and my partner do try to check if the fish we are buying is from a sustainable source! The oceans matter so much to the larger ecosystem that it's important to look after them properly.

66Mustang

I've never really thought about the oceans that much, positively or negatively

I do think on balance, even without an education to draw this opinion from, I would prefer having them 🤔

I have an Uncle who I think loves the ocean as he sailed from Portsmouth to somewhere in the Caribbean on a boat in a crew of I believe 12 or 15. I think it's considered quite an achievement if you are into that sort of thing, the boat was alone (unsupported by accompanying boats) and they took quite minimal/basic equipment with them

It took quite a few weeks and they had to catch some of their own food! His wife and daughter went to the Caribbean as well but they were a bit more orthodox as they went by aeroplane and had a holiday while they waited for my Uncle to get there 😄