Celebrating and Protecting the Ocean all Year

At NOAA’s National Ocean Service, which includes the Office of Response and Restoration, we are honoring all things ocean the entire month of June. As we commemorate this interconnected body of water that sustains our planet, consider how each of us can be involved in both celebrating and protecting the ocean.

Act to Protect the Ocean

Feeling inspired by our amazing ocean? Here are actions you can take to protect it from its many threats:

• Avoid plastic in your face scrub—those tiny micro-scrubbing beads are likely made of plastic and may end up in the ocean.
• NOAA responds to between 100 and 150 oil and chemical spills each year. If you’re a recreational boater you can help prevent small-vessel oil spills with this checklist.
• Skip the plastic bags and bring your own reusable bag to the store.
• Keep cigarette butts off of beaches and out of storm drains by properly disposing of them when you see them and discouraging others from discarding them as “acceptable” litter. Cigarette butts are not biodegradable and are the most commonly found piece of trash at beach cleanups.

You can learn even more about protecting the ocean from our Marine Debris Program. To learn more about the ocean and coastal areas consider visiting a National Marine Sanctuary or National Estuarine Research Reserve  and getting a hands-on education.

The more we all know and care about the ocean, the more we will do to take care of it. Together, we can protect the ocean.