An activity that would help accomplish the overall goal of the 1998 International Year of the Ocean could be a series of awards to recognize ocean-related accomplishments. Countries and organizations are urged to assist in the promotion of public and political awareness of the ocean and ocean-related issues, by rewarding those persons who have contributed variously to the understanding, preservation and sustainable management of the marine environment. In particular, those individuals whose sustained and/or creative efforts have included one or more of the following significant contributions:

1. Acquisition of ocean data, ocean information and/or management of such information and data;
2. Scientific knowledge of the ocean and its ecology, in any of the research disciplines;
3. Successful application of ocean research results, information and data;
4. Sustainable management of living and/or non-living resources;
5. Development and/or implementation of national and international programmes or policies that have resulted in improved management or protection of the marine environment;
6. Involvement of the public in community programmes and activities related to the preservation of the ocean and its resources;
7. Promotion of ocean awareness through literature, the media, painting, music or any other form of the arts.

National and international institutions making such ocean awards are requested to inform the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and their respective recipients so that a record can be kept of these Ocean Champions. At the end of the year, an international "Ocean Roll of Honour" is planned to be published. The awards may be funded through different means, but can
be very simple, e.g. an honorary mention. A fairly wide range of topics can be accepted, so as to show the inter-sectorial perspectives of ocean issues. The name and nature of the award to be included in the list should be managed by the participating organization. The IOC can assist in distributions, invitations, etc.

Examples

Pacific Youth Art & Writing Awards

A project designed to encourage the indigenous children of the South Pacific to share the artistic expression of their cultures. The theme for both writing and art awards is "Our Ocean - the Pacific". Selections from these awards will be exhibited in schools and festivals, and in the future will be features in a children's multicultural magazine.

Full details are available from:
Pacific Peoples - PYAP
P.O. Box 5466, West End, Brisbane, Qld, Australia 4101
Tel: 61-7-3892-4336; Fax: 61-7-3217-1227; Email: rallings@pronet.net.au