The Biological Conservation Research Foundation (Bicref)'s message for this year's World Oceans Day, celebrated on Tuesday, is 'Let us take one day to think and the rest of the days in the year to act for marine biodiversity conservation'.

Bicref works to promote biodiversity conservation in practice by involving its members in actual ongoing surveys and campaigns.

Marine biodiversity conservation has featured strongly in its efforts as is illustrated in the biodiversity documentary Waves of Life.

As this year is also the International Year of Biodiversity, World Oceans Day should bring to the attention of many, the sad situation of our seas.

The message says: "Long-term disasters, such as the continuous sewage outflows, ballast water discharges and waste thrown in our seas, do not reach the headlines but reach the homes of thousands of our marine creatures struggling to survive.

"Our seas, full of rich natural resources, cannot be taken for granted but needs great care and various precautions."

Bicref said the conservation of diversity of life under the waves was important for several reasons:

People rely on a healthy ocean with its rich diversity of life to provide most of the oxygen they breathe, much of the food they eat, as well as medicines and other essentials that they need to survive.

The ocean provides for millions of jobs and endless opportunities for inspiration and recreation such as diving, snorkelling, fishing and boating. How much would people enjoy the ocean without its great diversity of life, Bicref asked.

It added that the greater the diversity of life in the ocean the better job the ocean will do in helping maintain the planet's normal climate conditions and in adjusting to a changing climate.

For information on Bicref's various marine conservation projects e-mail bicref@gmail.com or write to Bicref, PO BOX 30, Ħamrun.