Oceans cover more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface and account for about 97 per cent of the world’s water resources. More than three billion people globally depend on marine and coastal ecosystem services for their livelihoods. In addition, oceans are crucial for global food security and also play a major role in regulating the Earth’s climate.
However, today around 30 per cent of the world’s fisheries are being overexploited, and their productivity has declined below levels that can be sustained in the long term. Oceans also absorb about 30 per cent of the carbon dioxide produced by human activities, and according to the United Nations, ocean acidity has increased by 26 per cent since the pre-industrial era.
The ocean produces at least 50 per cent of the planet’s oxygen, it is home to most of Earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Not to mention, the ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
These oceans are facing the depletion of 90 per cent of big fish populations and damage to 50 per cent of coral reefs. Hence, it is necessary to replenish the oceans. As such, everyone needs to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.
Oceans create transport facilities for the shipping of commodities and passengers from one place to another. Those who can control oceans across the world can be defined as conquering the world. Currently, all global countries as well as prominent businesspeople are expanding their businesses so as to thoroughly manage maritime transport, the fishery industry, exploration of ecotourism, above and underwater natural resources production and so on in the oceans as great bosses in the world economic sector.
World Oceans Day 2026 carries the theme “Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean,” calling on everyone to transform how we perceive and care for the ocean. For too long, it has been seen as something distant and separate from us, despite being deeply woven into our everyday existence, providing the air we breathe, the food we consume, and the climate balance that sustains life on Earth. Rather than remaining passive users of its resources, we must take responsibility and step forward as true stewards of its future.
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