The month of June marks a special month in several ways. Summer is approaching quickly and both students and teachers (in the northern hemisphere) are filled with excitement as the end of the school year approaches. In addition, June marks two important environmental days: World Environment Day (June 5) and World Ocean Day (June 8). Both of these days are dedicated to the protection of our blue planet and its amazing marine life. They also serve as a reminder. Various issues affecting both our land and water-based environments need urgent and serious attention from all.
Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean
This year, we have an additional week to look forward to with some optimism. The third United Nations Ocean Conference, or UNOC 3, will also take place in June during the week of 9-13th. This event is co-organized by both the French and Costa Rican governments. It will occur in Nice on the beautiful Mediterranean Coast. The overall theme of this conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.” It supports Sustainable Development Goal 14 Life Below Water. The objective is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. The outcome, known as the “The Nice Ocean Action Plan,” is an intergovernmental agreement that includes voluntary commitments.
NGOs and Civil Society
This conference is a high-profile governmental meeting. Side events within the “Green Zone” are open to the public. They will also be organized by several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work on marine-related issues. On Saturday, June 7, a large Blue March gathered approximately 1,000 people from various NGOs. They demanded that protecting the ocean is protecting life. They also demanded stopping shark finning and bottom trawling fishing.
Sharks Educational Institute SEI Portugal applied for and received special observer status accreditation. Support from the Portuguese Fundação Oceano Azul was also received. Along with my colleagues I will have the privilege of networking and participating in workshops. I will also promote the Teachers4Sharks (T4S) blog to create a network of dedicated educators. These educators will raise awareness about the vital role sharks play in protecting marine ecosystems. Please follow this blog for more exciting news about this conference!
Fernando Reis – SEI Portugal and Alex from Shark Guardians – UK as sharks in Blue March – see video here!
Stop Finning Now! Save Our Sharks -SOS
If We Save Our Sea, We Save Our World
Natural historian and award-winning broadcaster David Attenborough’s latest documentary, OCEAN, was recently released. It serves as a clear message to all world leaders to take marine conservation issues more seriously. Although the current state of our ocean is not very optimistic, we must know the reality below the water. We must open our eyes to what is happening below the waves. Together with the amazing underwater photography, there is also a message of hope, as D. Attenborough says, “If we save the sea, we save our world.” Future generations are more informed than ever. Thus, they are better equipped to find solutions and preventive measures to protect our last frontier, the ocean.
David Attenborough, with his collaborator Collin Burfield, also launched their book Ocean: the Earth’s Last Wilderness last month. “A powerful call to action focused on our planet’s oceans, exploring how critical this habitat is for the survival of humanity and the earth’s future.”
Summer Suggestions
As school winds down, whether you are a formal or non-formal educator, parent, student, activist volunteer, etc., now is the perfect time for reading and becoming more informed about sharks, shark issues, and shark conservation campaigns. Why not scroll down and read the blogs you have missed and/or open the list of resources? For example, visit the Blue Library section which is accessible via the search box on the main page. The section features lists of books for students and teachers. It also includes the latest documentaries on shark and ocean-related issues.
Any feedback about this blog (on blog page or or via email) would be greatly appreciated. Did you enjoy this site? You can gift it with a WordPress.com plan (see top of main page).
Happy Summer to all! 😊
RESOURCES:
- The UN Ocean Decade Action Framework explained
Summary The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030): Implementation Plan, Summary(available in English, French, Spanish, Russian )
- The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030): Implementation Plan(available in English, French, Spanish, Russian )
- Information about the history of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The Science we need for the ocean we want: the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) Plan(available in Portuguese, Spanish and French)
Junho: Um Mês para a Conservação e Ação do Oceano
O mês de junho marca um mês especial de várias maneiras. O verão está se aproximando rapidamente. Tanto os alunos quanto os professores (no hemisfério norte) estão cheios de entusiasmo à medida que o fim do ano letivo se aproxima. Além disso, junho marca dois dias ambientais importantes: o Dia Mundial do Meio Ambiente (5 de junho) e o Dia Mundial dos Oceanos (8 de junho). Ambos os dias são dedicados à proteção do nosso planeta azul e sua incrível vida marinha. Eles também servem como um lembrete. Vários problemas que afetam tanto nossos ambientes terrestres quanto aquáticos precisam de atenção urgente e séria de todos.
Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean
Este ano, temos uma semana adicional para esperar com algum otimismo. A terceira Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre os Oceanos, ou UNOC 3, também acontecerá em junho durante a semana de 9 a 13. Este evento é coorganizado pelos governos da França e da Costa Rica. Ele ocorrerá em Nice, na bela Costa Mediterrânica. O tema geral desta conferência é “Acelerando a ação e mobilizando todos os atores para conservar e usar de forma sustentável os oceanos.” Ela apoia o Oito de Desenvolvimento Sustentável 14 Vida de Abaixo d’Água. O objetivo é conservar e utilizar de forma sustentável os oceanos, mares e recursos marinhos para o desenvolvimento sustentável. O resultado, conhecido como “O Plano de Ação do Oceano de Nice”, é um acordo intergovernamental que inclui compromissos voluntários.
ONGs e a Socidade Civil
Teachers4Sharks 
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