Governments:
The Ocean Charter

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Individuals/Groups:
My Ocean Charter

The concept of "The Ocean Charter" was endorsed by the IOC Assembly at its Eighteenth Session (June 1995) and the programme approved at the Nineteenth Session (July 1997). The proposed Ocean Charter is a statement of principle and is not a legally binding document. Rather, it is a declaration of intent, of belief for and commitment to the future of oceans, marine areas and coastal environments. The aim of the Charter is to combine political and public commitment as a powerful means of creating awareness. The text (English version) of the "Ocean Charter" is available for viewing HERE

Canada has agreed to sponsor the IOC Ocean Charter initiative on behalf of the IYO. An official launching of the Charter was made at the Summit of the Sea Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, in September 1997. Canada is currently reproducing and distributing the Ocean Charter to embassies around the world. The Ocean Charter will be in the form of a display plaque, in an appropriate language and accompanied by a letter that encourages States to have the Ocean Charter signed by a senior official or national dignitary at a suitable public event during 1998. A record of the signatories, dates and events will be retained by Canada and will be published after 1998.

In a parallel but separate programme, an individual version of the Charter, "My Ocean Charter", is available to bring the same message and commitment to a wide audience of youth and the public at large. The text(English version) of  "My Ocean Charter" is available for viewing HERE The text (Slovenian) of "My Ocean Charter" is available for viewing HERE NEW The text (Croatian) of "My Ocean Charter" is available for viewing HERE You can sign up to this Charter and your name will be added to the register of signees to be made available on this website. When you have signed up you will be able to download your personal copy of 'My Ocean Charter' which you can then print and frame! "My Ocean Charter" is available in English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish.

Additional details on "The Ocean Charter" can be obtained from:

The International Year of the Ocean Office,

Department of Fisheries and Oceans,

200 Kent St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0E6

Visit the Canada International Year of the Ocean website: http://www.oceanscanada.com/IYO/