The annual World Ocean Day activities, which are slated for June 8, began with a procession in Henties Bay.

The joint march by Henties Bay Law Enforcement & Traffic, schoolchildren, and marine students from the UNAM Sam Nujoma Campus resumed from the Sport Field to the Henties Bay Tourism Centre. 

The Mayor of Henties Bay, Lewies Vermaak, officiated at the occasion and expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for their continuous support in making the event a success. 

Vermaak shared his experience as a fisherman during his heydays, which he considers one of the highlights of his outdoor activities. 

He left the crowd with an important message that is to protect our oceans.

"This is my message to the younger generation. Protect the ocean and your country, and do not litter. Tossing a bottle or piece of paper on the street will wind up in the ocean; instead, place it in the trash can. Keep your environment clean; everything that is littered ends up in the water, and we do not want to kill sea creatures. We want the ocean to be part of our lives for many years to come."

Professor Johannes Iitembu from the University of Namibia's Sam Nujoma Campus emphasised the need for protecting the oceans and mitigating the effects of climate change.

"We are training people to do studies and understand the importance of the ocean, and we are also training the next generation to understand more because, in your life, especially the next generation, your needs are also the same as ours, but for you to benefit more, you need to know more."

World Ocean Day will be commemorated at Independence Beach in Walvis Bay on Friday under the theme "Catalysing Action for Our Ocean and Climate."