National Marine Week is celebrated nationwide from 24th July - 8th August. The celebration runs for a full fortnight to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of marine life around the UK. People from around the United kingdom visit their local seashores to explore the beauty and relish the sea animals and plants that exist.

History of National Marine Week

The history of national marine week dates back to the early 1970s when marine conservation widely gained recognition after World War II. National Marine Week was organized to inspire people to come forward for the care of the ocean and help people focus on the importance of the ocean, which contains almost 97% of the planet's water and makes up the largest ecosystem on the planet with more than 30,000 species within itself.

Factors affecting the Marine Life

Our oceans are under constant threat with increasing global warming, overexploiting of the global marine fish population and sea pollution, and melting of the world's frozen ocean. The primary factors attributing to these problems are human activities and negligence. Overfishing is a major threat to the marine population and it is estimated to about 80% of the world's fish population is affected by the said practice. The biodiversity of the ecosystem is seriously endangered resulting in agonising effects on our global economy and our food security. Discarding trash is also a key factor in affecting marine life including plastic straws, bags, cigarette butts, fishing wires oil spills, harmful chemicals and a variety of plastic debris that are particularly harmful to aquatic life.

Another major factor is the melting of polar glaciers. According to recent research, the world's sea level is gradually rising with time due to the melting of ice at a significantly higher rate than expected. The glaciers are decreasing in size with time which can result in a catastrophic disaster for humanity. All these factors are mainly attributed to humans and their activities, therefore we all must do our part to assist in saving our oceans and marine life.

How can we celebrate National Marine Week?

It is important to raise awareness of the threats to marine life and to take steps to ensure the conservation of our oceans’ resources. Here is our list of ways that YOU can participate more in National Marine Week activities:

• Minimise the use of plastic – One of the major ways to reduce water pollution is to minimise the use of plastic products. The best way is to use biodegradable products, paper bags, reusable cups and bottles and other similar products.
• Sign a petition – Support the cause that promotes awareness about ocean protection and marine life. Sign petitions and help different useful causes that call for ocean protection and safety.
• Reduce use of harmful chemicals – Reduce the use of beauty products that contain microbeads, artificial chemicals and other harmful elements. Use alternative natural products that help reduce carbon footprint.
• Support your local Charities – Another productive way to help reduce plastic spread is to support your local charities that pledge to clean local coastal areas and local rivers and pounds.
• Arrange litter-picking Walks – A common way to raise awareness about marine safety is to arrange litter-picking events on the coasts of the UK. A common threat to marine life is a common plastic that ends up in rivers and is then deposited into the sea. We can collect any plastic that is found on the coastal walks.
• Organise Book Events – A creative way to raise attention about marine safety is to organise book events that help raise awareness about marine life with aquatic books. We have compiled a list of aquatic ecology books that are filled with knowledge about aquatic life and help promote ocean safety. Here are a few popular aquatic-themed books by Austin Macauley Publishers. On your next walk on the shore, make sure to take a book with you. 

Get Future Generations Interested

Now it’s the perfect time to encourage our children to care about the ocean. One way we can do this is by introducing them to animals they care about. Books can be a great way for children to find an aquatic creature they love, and we have a great selection of marine books.

               

 

               

Celebrating National Marine Week is important for our nation as oceans play a significant role for our economy in providing sustainable food sources, various industries depend on them, flood control and numerous tourism opportunities. We depend on the ocean that is why National Marine Week is worth celebrating.

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