World Ocean Day 2026: How the Two Oceans Aquarium celebrated ocean action

World Ocean Day is an opportunity to celebrate our connection to the ocean and recognise the collective responsibility we share in protecting it. Our ocean provides food, livelihoods, climate regulation, oxygen production, and countless other benefits that support human well-being. With so many communities depending on healthy oceans for their survival and prosperity, we all share a responsibility to protect and conserve these valuable ecosystems.

From education and conservation to community action and collaboration, the Two Oceans Aquarium and its partners marked this year's World Ocean Day through a series of meaningful events that highlighted the importance of healthy oceans and inspired positive action for the future.

Launching a South African first with the Cape Mint

This year's World Ocean Day celebrations kicked off with a South African first: The Two Oceans Aquarium hosted the Cape Mint for the launch of the first official Tristan da Cunha legal tender British coins minted in Africa.

Authorised by the British Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha and approved by both the island authorities and the British Royal Palace, the three fine silver coins were designed and struck in Cape Town. The series celebrates the longstanding connection between Cape Town and Tristan da Cunha, with Cape Town serving as the island’s primary supply port and gateway to essential goods and services.

As one of the few aquariums worldwide where visitors can see both species of penguins found in South Africa and Tristan da Cunha, the Aquarium provided a fitting setting for the launch. The event highlighted the shared natural heritage between South Africa and Tristan da Cunha while marking the first time a South African mint has struck legal tender coins bearing the effigy of King Charles III.

“The Penguin Exhibit at the Two Oceans Aquarium was a particularly appropriate setting for the launch of this landmark coin series,” said our CEO, Michael Farquhar. The occasion also reflected on the Aquarium’s royal connection, recalling Prince Philip’s visit to the future Aquarium site in 1995, when construction had only just begun, and the vision for the Aquarium was taking shape.

Bringing the False Bay Hope Spot community together

In celebration of World Ocean Day, the Two Oceans Aquarium convened a special dinner that brought together 100 people from more than 40 organisations active in and around the False Bay Hope Spot. Representatives from environmental education, ecotourism, conservation, community organisations, government, and the media attended, reflecting the diverse community stewarding this precious stretch of ocean.

Hope Spots are a concept pioneered by Mission Blue, the environmental non-profit founded by renowned scientist and conservationist Dr Sylvia Earle. These sites are recognised for their ecological importance and their significance to the communities whose livelihoods, cultures, and identities are connected to them. In 2019, thanks to the efforts of Cape RADD and local Mission Blue representatives, False Bay was declared a Hope Spot, with the Two Oceans Aquarium joining Cape RADD as Co-Champion in 2020.

The World Ocean Day dinner provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share their work, strengthen relationships, and explore future collaboration to protect this critical marine environment. The evening also surfaced shared priorities, including education, public awareness, research, and community-led stewardship.

“Conservation isn’t only a story of science and regulation - it’s one that involves people: People who need to be part of the solution, and people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and relationships with the ocean. We cannot truly face the challenges affecting our ocean if we do not seek solutions that factor in both human communities and nature. That’s why models of stewardship like the False Bay Hope Spot, and the passionate people who work in and around it, are vital,” said the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Devon Bowen, the evening’s convener.

The Aquarium looks forward to continuing this work with a growing blue community and to working alongside Mission Blue and Cape RADD to champion this remarkable part of Cape Town’s ocean.

Driving sustainable seafood choices through training

Our Ocean Campus hosted a WWF-SASSI Sustainable Seafood Training Workshop on World Ocean Day, bringing together key stakeholders from across the seafood supply chain. Representatives from Shoprite, Spur Corporation, Pick n Pay, Green Fish, Ocean Jewels, and Fish4Africa participated in the training, demonstrating a shared commitment to responsible seafood practices.

The training highlighted the connection between our seafood choices and ocean health. As global demand for seafood continues to rise, marine ecosystems face increasing pressure from overfishing, climate change, habitat degradation, and unsustainable fishing and farming practices.

The workshop deepened participants’ understanding of these challenges and equipped them with practical tools to improve seafood sustainability within their businesses. Participants explored how to use the WWF-SASSI list to make responsible seafood choices, understand species statuses, and engage suppliers in meaningful conversations about sourcing practices.

By empowering restaurants, retailers, and suppliers with up-to-date information and sustainability tools, the programme supports procurement decisions that help protect fish populations and marine ecosystems. As society moves towards more sustainable lifestyles, businesses have an important role to play in driving responsible consumption and positive change. The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation and WWF-SASSI extend their gratitude to all participants for their enthusiasm and commitment to sustainable seafood practices.

As a certified WWF-SASSI training institution, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation offers sustainable seafood training for restaurants, retailers, suppliers, hospitality professionals, and other interested stakeholders. 

Inspiring future ocean champions 

In the lead-up to World Ocean Day, the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Ocean Campus team joined fellow WCEEF partners to celebrate World Environment Day and World Ocean Day at the Soetwater Environmental Education Centre on 5 June.

The event brought together a range of environmental organisations, including CapeNature, the City of Cape Town, Shark Spotters, Nature Connect, Guardians of the Deep, Polyco, Puppet Planet, SANParks, DEA & DP, Emergency Vehicle Services, and the DFFE.

Learners from Kleinberg Primary School enjoyed a day of learning, exploration, and hands-on experiences. The Ocean Campus team delivered an engaging presentation introducing learners to the fascinating world of rocky shores and the plants and animals that inhabit local rock pools.

One of the highlights was the opportunity for learners to interact with rock pool animals. These hands-on encounters sparked curiosity and excitement while helping bring marine conservation concepts to life and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the ocean.

Thank you to all the WCEEF partners who helped make the event a success, and to the learners who participated with such enthusiasm. By working together, we can continue inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards.

Cleaning up our coast with tourism partners

The Two Oceans Aquarium invited members of the tourism community to join us at Mouille Point Beach for a meaningful morning of giving back to the ocean we all depend on. Despite the rainy weather, spirits remained high as participants worked together to remove litter from the shoreline.

The event was a great success, with participants collecting approximately 65kg of litter and making a tangible contribution to a cleaner, healthier marine environment. In an awesome show of support, several members of the City of Cape Town’s Solid Waste Management Department got involved. 

It was also an opportunity to connect with fellow tour operators and Aquarium staff while sharing a common purpose. Beyond the cleanup itself, the event highlighted the important role tourism professionals play in fostering appreciation for the marine environment. By contributing directly to the care of the shoreline, participants gained a deeper connection to the ocean and the conservation challenges it faces - experiences they can share with the guests they engage with every day.

There was plenty of conversation, camaraderie, and enthusiasm throughout the morning, and participants left with a sense of accomplishment, knowing they had made a positive impact - one piece of litter at a time.

World Ocean Day reminds us that ocean conservation is a shared responsibility. Whether through education, sustainable business practices, scientific collaboration, or hands-on action, every effort contributes to a healthier future for our ocean. The Two Oceans Aquarium extends its gratitude to all the organisations, partners, stakeholders, and community members who joined us in celebrating and protecting our blue planet. Together, we can ensure that the ocean continues to thrive for generations to come.