為慶祝6月8日世界海洋日，保育團體頒發了第二屆全球海洋保育獎給斐濟兩位領袖，以表揚他們在保育該島國獨特海洋多樣性的貢獻。獲獎的是斐濟總理卡羅斯（Laisenia Qarase）及大酋長加東尼維列（Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere），他們因努力保育該國海岸與外海海域至少30%的區域而榮獲這項殊榮。
「國際保育組織」（Conservation International）全球海洋部門執行長厄爾（Dr. Sylvia Earle）表示：「在2005年1月，斐濟宣布將其海洋保護區擴大至30%海域，創造歷史新紀錄。斐濟的例子顯示了政府與社區的良好合作關係，並發揮了設立保護區的骨牌效應，協助保護了全球幾處最珍貴的海洋生態系統。」
受到斐濟設立海洋保護區的鼓舞，其他太平洋島國也已展開行動，要在2020年以前保護30%近海海洋資源，以及20%的島嶼陸域資源。這些國家包括帛琉、密克羅尼西亞聯邦、馬紹爾群島、關島以及北馬里亞納群島。
全球海洋保育獎在每年6月8日世界海洋日頒發，表揚對全球海洋保育貢獻傑出的個人或團體，目的在催化海洋治理、產業界做法、大眾認知或科學知識方面的重大演變。
根據國際自然保育聯盟（IUCN）所發表的一份「藍色海洋」報告顯示，過度漁撈對海洋環境永續供應食物乃是重大威脅之一。世界上最大的17座漁場中有15座受到重度剝削開發，魚類的繁殖再也無法保證生生不息的魚獲供應。IUCN還指出，除了污染之外，外來水生物種也是海洋生態系統所面臨最嚴重的威脅之一。
海洋不僅調節地球氣候意義重大，同時對氣候的任何變化也常敏感。對於能支配、影響萬物的氣候變遷，地球上所有的生物都必須去適應，否則就會滅絕。有些變化正劇烈地改變我們的環境和生態系統，此現象已開始顯現。
IUCN另指出，墨西哥灣流的流量在過去半個世紀以來已經衰退了30%，而且在過去5年衰退的速度加速了許多。
To celebrate World Ocean Day, conservation organizations have bestowed the second annual Global Ocean Conservation Award upon two Fijian leaders for their work protecting the island nation's unique marine biodiversity. Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and Paramount Chief Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere, were honored for their commitment to ensuring that at least 30 percent of Fiji's inshore and offshore marine areas will be preserved.
"In January 2005, Fiji made history with its marine protected area pledge of 30 percent," said Dr. Sylvia Earle, executive director of Conservation International's Global Marine Division. "Their example, including the fine collaboration of government with community, has helped to spark a domino effect of protected areas for some of the world's most precious marine ecosystems," she said.
Inspired by Fiji's pledge, other Pacific Island nations have undertaken to protect 30 percent of near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources on their islands by 2020. They include Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Global Ocean Conservation Award is given each World Ocean Day, June 8, in recognition of an individual or individuals who have made outstanding contributions to global marine conservation, catalyzing prominent changes in ocean governance, industrial practices, public perception or scientific knowledge.
Overfishing is one of the major threats to the sustainable supply of food from the marine environment, according to a new fact sheet from the IUCN-World Conservation Union, "Ocean Blues." Fifteen out of seventeen of the world's largest fisheries are so heavily exploited that reproduction cycles cannot guarantee continued catches.
In addition to pollution, invasions by aquatic alien species are among the most severe threats facing marine ecosystems, according to the IUCN.
The ocean not only significantly regulates the planet’s climate, but is susceptible to any changes in climate. Climate change is an overarching condition to which life on Earth must adapt, or perish. Some changes are already seen to dramatically alter our environment and ecosystems.
The Gulf Stream flow has declined 30 percent in the last half century, with the rate of decline accelerating in the past five years, the IUCN states.
