Aquarium Celebrates World Ocean Day
June 07, 2006
Aquarium visitors will be treated to two screenings of “Common Ground”
The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport celebrates World Ocean Day June 8 with a day-long celebration offering activities and information about our oceans. The day’s activities are highlighted by two screenings of the award winning documentary Common Ground in the Aquarium’s Qwest Theatre. This year commemorates the 14th annual World Ocean Day, coordinated by The Ocean Project, an international network of over 700 aquariums, zoos, museums, and conservation organizations.
- All Day – Interpreters will show visitors what winds up in our oceans
- All Day – coloring sheets for kids will be handed out
- 11:30 – OSU researcher Thom Gilbert will talk about his groundbreaking rockfish research
- 1:00 - Divers will give a talk on marine debris and its effect on our world oceans
- 2:15 and 3:00 – Common Ground will be shown in the Aquarium Theatre. Two years in the making, this groundbreaking documentary explores the issue of protecting Oregon’s marine environment. The film features interviews with Oregon fishermen, leading scientists and program host, Russell Sadler talks about the current condition of our ocean ecosystems.
Once upon a time, our ocean was abundant and clean and it can be again, but it is not a fairy tale situation today. Many of the world's ocean fisheries are in decline, coastal pollution is choking essential coastal habitats while others are disappearing at an alarming rate, and climate change and pollution are killing coral ecosystems worldwide.
The ocean generates most of the world’s oxygen and provides us with food, recreation, transportation, and inspiration. The annual international celebration of World Ocean Day is intended to inspire people to think about our ocean legacy and what kind of ocean we want to leave for future generations.