Our Purpose
Collaboration, Learning, Empowerment
Oceans Week Victoria was launched in 2020 to foster connection and engagement within the community by providing a platform to support ocean-inspired events on southern Vancouver Island. We help facilitate and promote inclusive and accessible community events, no matter how large or how small, with a focus on education, conservation, and fun!
We invite residents, businesses, Indigenous groups, scientists, educators, youth… everyone to get involved!
In past years, Victorians have enjoyed 3 main WOD events hosted by the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea (Sidney), World Fisheries Trust (on the Gorge Waterway) and Eagle Wing Tours with the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (Fishermans Wharf).
We are thrilled to be connected to larger Canadian and International events like Oceans Week Canada, United Nations World Oceans Day, World Oceans Day (The Ocean Project), and Exploring by the Seat of your Pants. Check them out for more ocean activities!
Due to COVID-19, much of our content will be virtual this year, but we will also be sharing small organized events offered by our partners with all safety protocols in place. We hope to expand to more live events in the future.
Our Partners
Oceans Week Victoria is a collaboration among a variety of organizations in Greater Victoria. The planning committee is comprised of volunteers from the following partners:
History
1992
2020
1992 A team from Canada proposed the idea of an Oceans Day at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, followed by the first Oceans Day event in Halifax
2008 In response to growing participation and petitions around the globe, the UN General Assembly designated June 8 as World Oceans Day
2020 Over 2000 events were held in 140 countries in 2019, and inspired by Oceans Week Halifax, the planning was started for a full week of activities. Oceans Week Victoria was born in 2020!
2002 The Ocean Project began globally promoting World Oceans Day and launched the worldoceansday.org website to support event organizers; 25 events held in 15 countries
2011 World Oceans Day events started in Greater Victoria (possibly earlier!)