With an aim to highlight the significance of Oceans and to promote awareness amongst Pakistan Navy Personnel to protect and preserve the Oceans, Pakistan Navy celebrated World Oceans Day with great enthusiasm. A highly spirited participation by Pakistan Navy personnel were made during conduct of various awareness raising events and activities, said a statement issued by ISPR here on Monday.
These activities included beach cleaning, walk at Manora and Sea view, lectures at Maritime museum, seminars, quizzes, essay writing and chart making competitions at various Pakistan Navy educational institutes including special children schools. The world Oceans Day is celebrated on June 8 every year to highlight the significance of Oceans, promote awareness with due regard for sustainable use of oceans and marine resources and pledge for making co-ordinated efforts to protect the oceans from various types of threats.
Theme selected this year to promote the spirit of the day was Healthy oceans, Healthy Planet. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah in a message on the occasion, said that Oceans, being the common heritage of mankind ,it is owing to its linkages with all of us irrespective of region, play a vital role in our lives which needs no emphasis. With rising population and diminishing resources on land, living and non living ocean resources are becoming more and more important.
The Naval Chief said that Pakistan, with a long coastline and a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with Continental Shelf extending up to 350 Nautical Miles from our coastline, is blessed with abundant natural living and non-living resources. However, living resources in Pakistan's EEZ/Continental Shelf became endangered due to antipathy which took growth in our peaceful milieu. Admiral Zakaullah reiterated all to re-affirm our commitment for the sustainable ocean usage while endeavouring to protect the oceans. Let everyone be assured that Pakistan Navy will continue to play an important role in the global and national efforts to protect and preserve the oceans", he added.