World Ocean’s Day, which is celebrated annually on 8 June, was initially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008. This year’s theme, ‘Revitalization: Collective action for the ocean’, highlights the ideas and solutions proposed by communities that are working together to protect and revitalise the ocean.

The day is used to remind people of the vital importance of the ocean for future generations, for all people and for the planet. This year’s event will be the first ever hybrid celebration featuring in-person celebrations hosted by the United Nations Headquarters in New York, alongside virtual components for global public accessibility. The topics that will be discussed during the event were chosen to inspire collaborative change.

The UN’s 14th Sustainable Development Goal relates to Life Below Water and states: ‘The world’s oceans—their temperature, chemistry, currents and life—drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind.’ The oceans have also played a vital role in humankind’s history and heritage. The importance of cultural heritage and people’s connection to the ocean cannot be stressed enough and is a motivating factor for promoting the preservation of the ocean.

The decade from 2021 to 2030 has been called the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which refers to  a United Nations initiative aimed at creating a common framework in order to study and assess the health of the world’s oceans. In November 2021, a manifesto titled ‘Accelerating climate action through the power of arts, culture and heritage’ was released as part of the UN Climate Conference (COP26). This manifesto highlighted the importance of people, their cultures and the natural and cultural heritage of the earth, which are at risk as a result of climate change caused by humans. It also emphasised the importance of arts, culture and heritage in inspiring climate action and adaptation in order to enable climate-resilient futures. The manifesto stresses the significance of human-centred solutions, and of actors and actions related to cultural heritage in attempts to address climate change issues.

Dr Moshibudi Rampedi, the Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), noted that ‘South Africa is strategically positioned with territory in three oceans: the Indian, the Atlantic and the Southern Ocean, and is the only country in the world that can contribute to the protection of life in all three oceans’. South Africa also has a diverse underwater and maritime cultural heritage comprising of submerged prehistoric landscapes, shipwrecks and sacred lakes.

Since the 1500s, there have been more than 2 500 shipwrecks along South Africa’s coast. These ships represent a diverse range of cultures and countries that played a role in South Africa’s maritime history. In 2019, the University of Pretoria introduced a Tangible Heritage Conservation programme, which is led by Maggi Loubser and based in the School of Arts, Faculty of Humanities. Henry Nakale, one of Ms Loubser’s students, comes from Namibia and has just completed his dissertation about the pewter-ware found in the Oranjemund shipwreck, which is one of the oldest known shipwrecks in sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 5 438 archaeological artefacts found in the wreck, 83 were pewter objects. An attempt was made to determine the composition of the various pewter artefacts to see whether the origin and dating of the ship could be confirmed, but also to make informed decisions about the preservation of the artefacts. It is hoped that the study will help spark renewed interest in the Oranjemund Shipwreck project and encourage increased funding to better preserve the objects under ideal conditions to make them more accessible to researchers and also give the general public the opportunity to view this rich piece of Southern African history. Mr Nakale’s research is important since the primary motivating factor was the protection of the country and the continent’s heritage.

Prof Vasu Reddy notes: ‘Sites and works of enormous cultural and heritage significance have been or are being destroyed, have disappeared, or are deteriorating through vandalism, climatic influences, a lack of maintenance and natural ageing. We need the skills and expertise required to protect, restore, repair, conserve and preserve them, to build conservation capacity in our museums, libraries, archives and other cultural entities, and to contribute to building and protecting our heritage, no matter how contested it might be.’

Heritage conservation continues to be a persuasive factor as it promotes a human-rights based approach to sustainable development. It also continues to be an influential pathway for the conservation of socially meaningful memories and legacies. As Professor Rose Boswell, an incumbent of a SARChI Chair, notes: ‘A sustainable ocean economy depends on safeguarding cultural rights and access to the oceans and coasts.’

Commenting on World Oceans Day, Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, said: ‘As we work to end the pandemic and build back better, we have a once in a generation opportunity—and responsibility—to correct our relationship with the natural world, including the world's seas and oceans.’