WORLD OCEAN
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ALL OCEANS ARE CONNECTED TO FORM A SINGLE ONE: THE WORLD OCEAN

The World Ocean is suffering more and more.
The Earth's environment is affected.
Life on Earth is threatened.

This is why we, the members of the World Ocean Network, have decided to react by creating the status of Citizen of the Ocean.
We propose that every one of us contribute to preserving the ocean and better manage marine resources to offer a viable future for our children.
Each Citizen of the Ocean represents the World Ocean on Earth.

Acting with the Passport of Citizen of the Ocean is a first step.
Caring for the Blue Planet, you can make a difference.
Think of the significant difference 6 billion of us can make.

The World Ocean Network includes aquariums, science centres, museums, associations and NGOs as well as educational and environmental organizations throughout the world. These organizations reach 200 million people every year. The World Ocean Network invites you to celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8 each year.

DID YOU KNOW?

• That the ocean covers 72% of the earth’s surface.
• That more than 90% of the Planet's living biomass is found in the Ocean .
• That half of the world’s population, i.e. 3 billion people, lives less than 80 kilometres from the coast. In 30 years, 6 billion people or 3/4 of the world’s estimated population in 2035 will live near the water.
• That in the last five years the World Ocean has undergone an unprecedented degradation: pollution, destruction, over-fishing, etc…

Immediate action is required! Our future and that of our children depends on the efforts that each one of us makes to save the ocean starting now. If more of us act now, we will benefit from the resources of the World Ocean for far longer and much better. This passport encourages us to work in favour of sustainable development with millions of others across the world.

I choose to become a Citizen of the Ocean

I have the right		I have the responsibility
	1 - to use ocean resources to feed myself 2 - To use the ocean and the coastline for leisure activities 3 - to be a representative of the ocean on Earth 4 - to ask World Ocean Network Members for information and help to carry out actions		1 - to conserve ocean resources for the benefit of future generations 2 - to adopt and promote a responsible attitude to protect the environment 3 - to make my voice heard everytime the ocean is threatened 4 - to support the World Ocean Network to realise its projects

ACTIONS FOR ADULTS

WASTE POLLUTION

Winds and river water carry everything to the sea. 75% of the waste found in the sea is plastic. More than 80% of the waste found in the sea is due to our land-based activities.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

	• Throw wastes in the appropriate place. • When shopping take a basket or carton with you, try not to use disposable plastic bags. •Try to buy bulk products or products with minimal packaging.
	• Organize recycling at home, at your workplace and in your neighbourhood. • Collect old batteries and place them in a designated container. Do the same for other pollutants. • When there is a pollution problem help clean or organize cleaning a site. Alert the relevant authorities. • Organize an informative action regarding the ocean at your workplace or with a group of friends and family.

THREATS TO AQUATIC OR MARINE HABITATS

The balance of aquatic and marine habitats is threatened by the consequences of destructive or polluting human activities. Humid habitats like swamps are subject to irreversible degradation. Half of the mangroves have disappeared and 27% of coral reefs have been destroyed.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• Get to know and respect rivers, lakes, swamps or the coastline of the region. • Buy preferably products (for the house, garden or car) that are environment-friendly and safe for human health.

• Learn about and collect information regarding water pollution problems and alert the relevant authorities. • Provide support to environmental protection and sustainable development organizations. • Participate in actions to protect fragile marine areas: coastlines, coral reefs, mangroves and support the extension of protected marine areas. • Don’t dump pollutants, for example used motor oil, into the water or on the ground. Take it to a place where it is collected and then recycled.

FISHING AND FISH PRODUCT CONSUMPTION

75% of commercial fish stocks are fully exploited or over-fished. If things keep going that way, in 30 years time, no wild fish will be taken from the sea anymore.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

	• Do not fish or buy fish that are too small; they won’t be able to develop or reproduce. • Ask for information about the source of fish and seafood. • Diversify your purchases and do not buy over-fished species.
	• Visit an exhibition or participate in an excursion to learn more about water or the ocean. Bring your family, friends or colleagues. • Discover and share new fish and seafood recipes; learn to prepare species that are not usually consumed. • Ask a fisherman or a specialist in fish, shellfish and crustacean aquaculture or a fishmonger about marine resources.

ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The sharp rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide causes an increase in surface water temperature and a rise in water levels. This threatens the balance of the ocean and the lifestyle of millions of people throughout the world.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

	• Use the most energy efficient form of transportation: bicycle, bus, car-pooling, etc… • Try to buy local or seasonal products rather than products that have been imported from a long distance. • Do not leave electrical appliances on standby. • Find out about renewable energy sources and how you can use them.
	• Try to convince friends and professional colleagues to do the same. • Install so called “low-consumption” light bulbs at home and at the workplace. • Learn about and collect information regarding environmental or pollution problems and alert the relevant authorities.

WHAT ABOUT REGULATIONS?

There are regulations for fishing, maritime transportation and commerce, as well as for leisure activities. They are not always respected and the consequences are serious: over-fishing of resources, pollution of every kind, economic and social difficulties for people who make a living from the sea and those who live along inland waterways.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• Adopt a respectful attitude towards the environment near the water, along the coast and at sea and comply with existing rules. • Don’t buy souvenirs that are made from animals: seashells, starfish, seahorses, etc… Don't buy unregulated, potentially threatened or endangered species being sold as food, medicinal products or souvenirs.

• Pay attention to information on shipwrecks involving oil tankers and toxic products. Help clean polluted areas. • Support an environmental defence association, sustainable development educational organization or international conservation body. • Encourage people who enjoy the sea not to throw their waste into the water. • Sign petitions against ocean pollution, environmental and human rights violations. • Help organize an activity for World Ocean Day (on June 8 each year) or Environment day (June 5).

 

ACTIONS FOR TEENAGERS

THE WORLD OCEAN AND US

The ocean plays an important role in the life on our planet. Its balance affects our environment. Its resources are vital to us.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS

	• I visit a fisherman or sea professional and ask him/her what the ocean represents for him/her. I ask questions to learn more. • I participate in an environmental protection action. Every year I participate in World Ocean Day (on June 8).
	• I read books about the sea, I watch movies about fish and sea animals, and I go to exhibits. • I tell my friends what I have discovered. • I write a poem or make a drawing about the beauty of the sea or a river. I show it to my family and my class.

WASTE POLLUTION

A lot of our waste, even when we dump it far from the sea, ends up in the ocean. Each year up to four tonnes of waste is found on each kilometre of coastline.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS

	• I throw my waste in an appropriate area. • I take a knapsack or basket to do shopping; I try not to take disposable plastic bags. • I ask people that I know to make the same effort.
	• I organize a recycling system at home. • I collect used batteries and put them in a collection area. • I help to clean up a site: beach, forest etc

THREATS TO MARINE LIFE

Of the 126 mammal species that live in the ocean, 88 are endangered species.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS

	• When I walk along the beach, along a waterway or in nature, I try not to disturb animals. • I don’t buy souvenirs that are made from animals: seashells, starfish, seahorses, etc…
	• I write a report on protecting the ocean and nature. I ask my friends, parents and classmates to read it. • I visit an exhibition or I participate in an excursion to learn more about water or the ocean. I bring my family, friends or classmates

AIR POLLUTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Our automobiles and factories produce carbon dioxide which is released into the atmosphere. The climate changes, the planet heats up and the sea level rises.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS

	• I walk or bicycle whenever I can or I use public transportation. • I always turn out the lights when I leave an empty room. • I look for ways to save energy in my house.
	• I organize car-pooling with my neighbours and friends (if we go to the same school for example). • I participate in an environmental protection action. • I learn about a pollution problem and tell my friends, parents and teachers so that they will alert decision makers (an elected official, a mayor for example).

OUR LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND THE OCEAN

The coast offers many opportunities to relax and have fun: swimming, fishing, strolling, nautical activities, diving, etc… These activities will be threatened if we don’t respect nature.

A FEW IDEAS FOR ACTIONS

	• I learn to know and respect the environment in which I play. • I plant a tree. • I don’t throw waste into nature; I look for a bin or keep it until I find a bin later. • I do not throw anything from board if I sail.
	• I take a discovery walk along a river, lake or by the sea with family, friends or classmates. • I don’t bother animals or move the stones under which they live. I respect the plants that anchor soil (especially on dunes), I do not pick them. • I participate in an activity during World Ocean Day (June 8) or World Environment Day (June 5).