World Oceans Day – a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future – is Friday, June 8.

This year, The Ocean Project issued a request for citizens around the world: “Will you stop using single-use plastic bags, bottles and straws to help our ocean? Plastic trash is a serious problem for our ocean, and especially all the animals that call it home, but together we can be part of the solution.”

The County of Maui and Pacific Whale Foundation are on board, emphasizing the importance of a healthy world ocean and the need to protect it.

“Here in Hawaii, the Pacific Ocean is part of who we are,” Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said. “In the sea, we find food, play, travel, exercise, education and more. So World Oceans Day provides us with a positive reminder to redouble our efforts to protect the ocean and reverse negative trends brought about by humans, who have taken this vast, bountiful resource for granted.”

Cleanups and educational activities are slated on Friday. For more information, visit PacificWhale.org/WorldOceansDay.

“There are many ways to participate in World Oceans Day on Maui,” said Events Planner Marina Scott. “You can join a cleanup effort, be a citizen-scientist, create action through art, take part in outreach activities and help spread the word. Our ultimate goal is to inspire people to become ocean stewards in whatever way they can.”

Scientists are predicting that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish. Spurred by this grim forecast and its research on marine debris, Pacific Whale Foundation recently launched a conservation campaign, The Last Straw, focusing on keeping plastic straws and other single-use plastics out of the environment.

“It’s critical for the survival of marine animals, and really all living organisms, that we take concrete and committed steps to reduce our use of plastic,” said Jens Currie of PWF. “We all contribute to the problem, which means we can all make a positive difference.”

During the rest of the year, The Ocean Project urges us all to change our ways.

Since what we do on land impacts the ocean, changing our everyday habits with plastic can make a difference.