KARACHI: Pakistan Navy celebrated World Oceans Day on Friday by arranging a number of awareness raising activities which included lectures on plastic pollution and speech competitions.

World Oceans Day is celebrated around the world on June 8 every year to highlight the significance of oceans, and to promote awareness especially for sustainable use of oceans and marine resources.

Awareness of the adverse effects of marine pollution was raised through the display of banners in many public and residential areas. A beach cleaning campaign/walk by Pakistan Navy personnel involving local populace was also planned to be held after Ramazan.

The theme for the day this year was Preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean

Pakistan is blessed with a large coastline and a huge area of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with abundance of marine life. However, the ecosystem of this diverse marine life is endangered due to ever increasing pollution, mainly caused by excessive and uncontrolled use of single-use plastic. The effects of marine pollution are being felt on the fisheries and sea food industry.

The theme selected for this year’s World Oceans Day was ‘Preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean’, with the aim to highlight the importance of ocean project and its growing network. Pakistan Navy too re-affirmed its commitment for the sustainable use of oceans while endeavoring to protect the oceans from hazards of marine pollution.

The chief of the naval staff in his message for the day also committed that Pakistan Navy would continue its efforts to protect, preserve and conserve the oceans for future generations.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2018