The 17th annual World Oceans Day will take place today at the Marine Institute.

The event teaches about the protection of oceans and marine life in Newfoundland and Labrador.

It will feature touch tanks, ocean-themed crafts, a tour of a fishing boat and more.

World Oceans Day Committee Chair for Newfoundland and Labrador, Dawn Mercer, says that they’re hoping to teach young people the importance of protecting marine life.

“We’re really all connected by water and by the ocean itself. But for us in Newfoundland and Labrador, because we’re all surrounded by water, it has a huge significance to our culture, economy and environment,” she says.

“This is why we want to celebrate World Oceans Day, to celebrate the connections people can make and recognize that we are all interconnected. And that the choices we make every day can have an impact on our oceans.”

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.