To mark Brazil’s National Sea Day and Children’s Day, both celebrated on October 12, students from Maria Leopoldina Municipal School in Rio de Janeiro took part in a mini waste collection exercise and interactive activities, as well as having the opportunity to interact with fishermen. This was part of an initiative supported by OceanPact, carried out by two local NGOs: Rio Education Partners and the Urban Sea Institute. The event took place on Tuesday, October 14 and Wednesday, October 15 at the “Espaço Azul” venue at Fort Copacabana.

The initiative aimed to obtain “Blue School” certification for the school as part of an international UNESCO program focused on spreading ocean culture.

Espaço Azul, an environmental awareness center on Copacabana Beach, is sponsored by OceanPact, which also supports both the Urban Sea Institute and Rio Education Partners. The facility hosts activities that combine education, environmental preservation and ocean culture.

Brazil’s National Sea Day highlights the oceans’ importance for life on the planet, for the economy and for the livelihoods of millions of people. The date also reinforces the need to protect marine ecosystems, which are home to rich biodiversity, and promotes debates on the sustainable management of their resources.