On 8 June, the global community celebrates World Oceans Day, recognising the critical role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth. Oceans regulate climate, produce much of the oxygen we breathe, absorb carbon dioxide, support biodiversity, and provide food and livelihoods for billions of people. This year’s observance highlights the importance of protecting ocean ecosystems and ensuring their resilience in the face of environmental change.
World Oceans Day theme for 2026 is “Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean,” with a primary conservation action theme focused on “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet”
The Southern Ocean, which surrounds Antarctica, is one of the most important yet least understood oceans on Earth. It connects the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans and plays a vital role in regulating global climate by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Changes in the Southern Ocean can influence weather patterns, sea levels, marine ecosystems and climate processes far beyond the polar regions, including those affecting South Africa.
SANAP scientists are at the forefront of Southern Ocean research. Projects such as The Biological Carbon Pump in a Changing Southern Ocean, Micronutrient and Pollutant Trace Elements at the Air-Sea Interface of the Southern Ocean, Decoding the Mercury Cycle in the Southern Ocean, and Southern Ocean Carbon-Heat Nexus investigate the complex processes that influence ocean health and climate regulation. Research on phytoplankton through the ECOSOPHY project helps scientists understand the foundation of Southern Ocean food webs and the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
World Oceans Day reminds us that protecting the ocean begins with understanding it. Through long-term observations, innovative technologies and international collaboration, SANAP continues to generate knowledge that contributes to the sustainable management of one of the planet’s most important ecosystems. As we continue to celebrate Environment Month, we recognise that a healthy Southern Ocean is essential for a healthy planet.