June is National Ocean Month and people across the globe celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8. New York’s marine environment includes thousands of miles of nearshore coastline and millions of acres of ocean stretching out to three nautical miles offshore. The ocean provides essential habitat for diverse species of marine life, including fish, sharks, whales, sea turtles, and many more. In addition to serving as a home to some of the world’s most vulnerable species, the ocean supports numerous important human services including transportation, commerce, and renewable energy development, as well as providing irreplaceable aesthetic and recreational value.
The New York Ocean Action Plan (OAP) helps to develop coordinated and inclusive efforts that focus on improving the health of our ocean ecosystem and its capacity to provide sustainable benefits to New Yorkers. Notable actions within the OAP include whale monitoring in the New York Bight, establishing ocean health indicators, and developing outreach initiatives targeting ocean awareness and stewardship.
Remember everyone’s actions contribute to a healthy ocean! Plastics and other discarded materials become marine debris if they make their way from land to sea. Help protect our ocean and marine life by curbing your single-use plastic consumption and always remember to Bring Your Own Bag (#BYOB) when going to the store. You can also participate in Plastic Free July, a global campaign that helps people learn about and reduce single-use plastic waste.
