In commemoration of the UN’s World Ocean Day (8th June), an ocean literacy promotion event has been organised on an annual basis at the Malta National Aquarium for the past four successive years. The event, the brainchild of Malta’s Ocean Ambassador Prof. Alan Deidun, resident academic at the Department of Geosciences, sees the participation of a consortium of local partners, namely the University, the International Ocean Institute (IOI), the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), the Malta National Aquarium, Malta Marittima and a number of local eNGOs involved in addressing the marine litter challenge. The event is held under the patronage of The President’s Office, and this year, HE President George Vella, along with Ms. Vella, did the honours in presiding over the event, which is opened to a different primary school each year. This year’s school was Santa Teresa primary school (Lija) and students were asked to prepare a short inspirational clip to motivate their peers in taking measures to combat the Single Use Plastic (SUP) scourge. Students were handed book prizes sponsored by the IOI and by the MTA, whilst the Aquarium offered a complimentary visit to their premises. HE President Vella briefed students about the need for a responsible citizenship, which can even be reflected through environmental advocacy. President Vella also made reference to Mata’s eminent ocean champion – Ambassador Arvid Pardo – who has spearheaded the sowing of UNCLOS, branded as the ‘Constitution of the Sea.’
Ocean literacy revolves around seven cardinal principles, which all acknowledge the pivotal role played by the oceans in the world’s climate regulation, in sustaining a vast array of biodiversity and in providing goods and services essential for human survival, including oxygen and protein. Within the University’s commitment to promoting further the thematic of ocean literacy, Prof. Deidun had organised in 2017 the 5th EMSEA (European Marine Science Educators Association) conference, bringing together ocean literacy practitioners from across Europe and the US.
