Healthy oceans are the life support system for our planet, providing 97 percent of the Earth's livable habitat and a home to more than 700,000 species. The oceans are vital to human health as well, providing jobs, enjoyment and food to billions of people. Half of the oxygen we breathe is generated by our oceans.

We're all totally dependent on this fragile planet suspended in the vast blackness of space. It regulates the weather, produces half of the oxygen we breathe and absorbs a third of our gas emissions. The Ocean sustains our economy, as well as the livelihoods and well-being of billions of people worldwide.

For centuries, people have regarded the ocean as an inexhaustible, never ending source of food and a convenient dumping ground, too vast to be affected by anything we do. In the space of a just few decades, it has become increasingly clear that the ocean has limits and that in many important parts of our Ocean the sustainability thresholds have been already breached.

Populations of marine species have fallen dramatically and vast areas of essential habitats have been degraded or destroyed, with implications that only now we are beginning to understand. Humanity continues to make unsustainable demands from the oceans, threatening our long-term wellbeing and prosperity.

Grant Thornton has this year made it its mission to do its part to safeguard our shores and the ocean at large by embarking on an education campaign highlighting why it is important to keep our seas clean. Our team have also rolled up their sleeves and carried out beach clean-up activities across the island.