To commemorate World Ocean Day on June 8, 2026, Green Heritage Fund Suriname (GHFS), under the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea (PROMAR) Project, organized a free public screening of "Ocean," a documentary by renowned British biologist and filmmaker Sir David Attenborough, at TBL Cinemas. The event provided a valuable opportunity to raise public awareness about the importance of healthy oceans and the deep connection between marine ecosystems and life on land.

 

World Ocean Day serves as a global platform to highlight the importance of understanding, protecting, and restoring the world's oceans. This year's international theme, "Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet," emphasized the critical role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in giving marine ecosystems and marine species the opportunity to recover and thrive amid growing environmental pressures, including plastic pollution and habitat degradation.

 

The evening began with a short address by GHFS founder and director Monique Pool, who spoke about the importance of the ocean and the urgent need for continued conservation action, before the screening of "Ocean" began. The documentary explores the deep interconnectedness between life on Earth and life in the ocean, offering audiences a compelling look at the importance of protecting marine ecosystems for the health of the entire planet. Through powerful visuals and storytelling, the film gave attendees an engaging and accessible way to better understand global ocean conservation issues.

 

The event also created a meaningful opportunity to connect World Ocean Day's international message with the local reality of marine conservation in Suriname, reinforcing the relevance of global environmental challenges, such as marine litter and plastic pollution, to Suriname's own coastal and marine ecosystems.

 

A total of 83 people attended the free screening, with registration required in advance and limited to a maximum of two people per registration to help manage attendance. The strong turnout reflected growing public interest in ocean conservation and environmental awareness across Suriname.

 

By hosting accessible, engaging events like the World Ocean Day Movie Night, PROMAR Suriname and GHFS continue to build public understanding of the vital role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth, while reinforcing the importance of preventing marine litter and protecting marine ecosystems for future generations in Suriname and across the wider Caribbean region.