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Fish stocks are dramatically declining. Pollution is contaminating our seas. Climate change is threatening our future.

To address these vital issues, communities, organizations and corporations come together every June 8 to celebrate World Oceans Day, an international event that honors our oceans and works to conserve their bounty.

Around the globe, people remember the importance of protecting our oceans through a range of activities, including beach cleanups, educational films and letter-writing campaigns.

“Earth Day is mostly fresh water- and land-focused events,” Alyssa Isakower, World Oceans Day coordinator, explained. “So that’s why World Oceans Day is so important. The issues facing the ocean are huge. Not only are they huge, but they are getting practically no attention.”

Founded in 1992 and officially recognized by the United Nations since 2009, the celebratory day has played a critical role in raising awareness of oceanic threats. Last year boasted hundreds of happenings across 45 countries, with events that highlighted multiple issues, from whaling to ocean plastic pollution to oil spills. The day’s events not only provide essential education, they are also downright fun.

As this year’s theme is “Youth: the Next Wave for Change,” hundreds of aquariums, schools and organizations will host educational events – based on the Dr. Seuss book “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish“ – that aim to inspire children to engage in ocean preservation.

“People don’t really think about the ocean,” Isakower said. “The thought that human beings can affect the ocean doesn’t even enter into somebody’s mind.”

Oceana, the world’s largest international ocean advocacy organization, celebrates World Oceans Day through its Ocean Heroes Award. Since 2009 this honor has recognized ordinary people who do extraordinary things to save our oceans.

“This year’s Ocean Heroes are truly impressive, largely because of their tangible achievements towards ocean conservation,” Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless said in a statement. “Individual commitments like these all add up and make a real difference for the world’s oceans.”

Sophi Bromenshenkel, this year’s junior winner, is an 8-year-old activist with a passion for sharks. “I think (sharks) are really amazing,” Sophi said. “I heard they were endangered, and I wanted to help them so I could see them when I grow up.”

After viewing pictures of pregnant sharks left for dead on the beach, Sophi was upset enough to get involved in shark conservation. By selling lemonade, hot cocoa and shark cookies, she raised around $4,000 in under two years for the research efforts of University of Miami’s RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program. The junior advocate, through fliers and presentations, advertises the dangers of the shark finning industry, which kills 100 million sharks each year.

Peter Wallerstein, the 2011 adult Ocean Hero, decided to take action after watching a television news program that showed whales drowning in nets right in his community. Finding this unacceptable, he bought a boat and started rescuing marine mammals, freeing them from nets and helping beached or injured animals return to the water. Wallerstein became hooked on such work, and today he presides over the Marine Animal Rescue, an outgrowth of the nonprofit the Whale Rescue Team he started in 1985. He has personally saved over 4,000 marine animals. Additionally, his 24-hour hotline has led to the rescue of even more wildlife.

“I’ve found my niche,” Wallerstein said of his 25 years of work. “I’ve found something positive to do in my life that has a positive effect on animals that I care about. It helps my community as far as raising the awareness of marine mammal response. I’m proud that I have taken it from scratch to one of the best in the United States in terms of marine mammal response.”

Oceana invites the public to take a cue from this year’s heroes and get involved in ocean protection efforts. Visit www.oceana.org/heroes and make a pledge to be a hero too by recycling, participating in a beach cleanup or eating sustainable seafood.

The results of World Oceans Day would not be possible, however, without the support of its many sponsors.

Luxury cosmetic company La Mer and high-end retailer Saks Fifth Avenue have both supported World Oceans Day for years. This year, the companies worked together to offer La Mer products in Saks stores on June 2 and 3 (in Beverly Hills and Costa Mesa, Calif., respectively) with purchases helping to fund Oceana’s conservation initiatives.

“Saks Fifth Avenue has been a proud supporter of the La Mer World Oceans Day events for the past three years. Our customers love the limited edition jar of Crème de la Mer because it highlights the benefits from the ocean and helps raise awareness for this important cause,” Deborah Walters, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of cosmetics, fragrance and intimate apparel for Saks Fifth Avenue, said.

Since 2005, La Mer has collaborated with Oceana to protect our seas. To commemorate the ocean this year, La Mer has crafted a limited edition World Oceans Day Crème de la Mer, plus has partnered with Soundwalk to create the Seven Seas Sound Mix, a 7-track marine sound journey and iPhone application now available on iTunes.

“World Oceans Day is important (in order) to raise awareness because most people really don’t think about it day in and day out. The oceans give us oxygen and are the primary source of food to millions and millions of people around the world,” Maureen Case, president of La Mer, said. “Working with Oceana, I know that we can all make a difference and help protect them.”

La Mer’s World Oceans Day Crème de la Mer will be available at select Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman stores, as well as at www.lamer.com, throughout June.

More Oceana events will be held in London, New York, Washington D.C., Miami and other cities.

For more information or to find a World Oceans Day event near you, visit worldoceansday.org or www.facebook.com/WorldOceansDay.

You can also help the cause by visiting the Facebook page of polarized sunglass maker Maui Jim (at www.facebook.com/OfficialMauiJim) and clicking the “like” button, which sends a virtual Hawaiian lei to friends. Every 10,000 “likes” generates a $10,000 donation to The Ocean Project for its conservation efforts.

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