Marine

Introduced in 2019, the Marine topic explores the life, value, and threats to our ocean—and how we can help protect it. Every school in Northern Ireland can take part, even those far from the coast (you're never more than 35 miles from the sea!).

Why Oceans Matter

• Oceans cover 70% of Earth and provide 50% of our oxygen.

• They support a huge variety of life—from tiny plankton to blue whales.

• Oceans give us food, resources, and recreation.

• We’ve only explored 5% of the ocean—most of it is still a mystery!

Threats to the Marine Environment

• Marine litter: 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year. 80% of beach litter is plastic. It harms wildlife through ingestion or entanglement.

• Pollution: From sewage, agriculture, industry, shipping, and even sunscreen.

• Climate change: Oceans absorb heat and CO2, but this leads to warmer, more acidic seas—threatening marine life and raising sea levels.

• Overfishing: 29% of global fish stocks are over-fished. In 40 years, nearly 40% of fish stocks have vanished.

What Schools Can Do

• Raise awareness about the importance of the ocean.

• Reduce plastic: Run a campaign to cut single-use plastic at school and home.

• Community clean-ups: Tidy local areas, rivers, or beaches and involve others.

• Take climate action: Plant trees, reduce energy use, and write to MLAs.

• Choose sustainable seafood: Learn about fish sourcing and eat responsibly.

Resources

Explore the Eco-Schools Marine Topic resource and check out:

• Plastic Oceans

• Ulster Wildlife

• Think Before You Flush

Let’s protect our oceans—starting with local actions that have global impact.