National Aquarium Celebrates World Oceans Day

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- What started as an idea 22 years ago by Canadian scientists has grown into a worldwide movement.

Now, Mike Schuh takes us to the National Aquarium, one of the organizations using World Oceans Day to bring about change.

Mom and dad brought little Jordan to the aquarium from Philly. Her first encounter? A tortoise.

"She's been talking about them for days," one visitor said of her daughter.  Jordan says -- "`Okodiles' and `alabators,'"-- that's crocodiles and alligators.

There are plenty of those here, but on this---World Oceans Day---visitors got an education on why oceans matter.

"It's a great day for us to celebrate the world's oceans and their impact on human health so it produces most of the air that we breathe," Jenn Dittmar said.

Okay, definitely worth saving and caring for---and to get kids interested in being kind to the oceans, they are encouraged to touch some of the creatures on display.

Hands on may lead to minds on and a big idea is what you can do. For instance, the oceans are drowning in plastics and educator Sue Bitter says we need to change.

"The other 80% comes from the land--me, you, us, us, them, us. Only five to 10% is recovered or recycled," Bitter said.

She says use reusable bags, cups and containers rather than disposables.

Also timed with this Oceans Day is the release of the 150th wild animal saved by the aquarium. Lily the seal is healed and better, she is going home tomorrow.

Lily will be released at the Assateague State Park in Berlin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.