Celebrate World Oceans Day SeaWorld-style with coral rescue breakthroughs and record-setting spawning events in Orlando.

This World Oceans Day, SeaWorld Orlando proudly celebrates the second anniversary of the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center and significant milestones in coral conservation, including a record-breaking coral spawning event. What is World Oceans Day?

World Oceans Day SeaWorld

World Oceans Day (June 8) is an annual event that raises awareness about the vital role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth. Celebrated globally, this day serves as a reminder of the ocean’s importance to our ecosystem, climate regulation, food systems, and biodiversity. Covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, the oceans produce more than half of the world’s oxygen and absorb a significant portion of carbon dioxide emissions.

World Oceans Day was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008. Each year, it features a theme to inspire action, ranging from reducing plastic pollution to protecting marine species and habitats.

People around the world participate in clean-up events, educational activities, art installations, and conservation efforts. Aquariums, schools, nonprofits, and governments often host events to promote sustainable practices and advocate for stronger policies protecting marine environments.

As climate change, overfishing, and pollution threaten ocean health, World Oceans Day encourages global collaboration to reverse damage and ensure a healthier future. It’s a call to action for individuals and communities to respect, protect, and preserve the “blue heart” of our planet for generations to come.

World Oceans Day SeaWorld: Coral Rescue Center

Opened in 2023, the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center serves as a vital hub for coral preservation and education, housing 390 coral colonies across 18 protected species, three of which are threatened and one that is classified endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The facility offers visitors an immersive experience, allowing them to witness firsthand the meticulous care provided by coral conservation experts.

Collaborative partnerships, including those with Disney Conservation, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, have been essential to SeaWorld’s conservation successes.

These collaborative partnerships include the Florida Coral Rescue Center (FCRC), located in Orlando and celebrating its fifth anniversary, which continues to play a crucial role in coral conservation. The FCRC serves as a sanctuary for over 500 coral colonies endangered by stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), a highly lethal disease threatening 22 coral species with extinction.

“We are incredibly proud of the significant progress we’ve made in coral conservation,” said Jim Kinsler, zoological curator at SeaWorld Orlando and manager of the FCRC. “Our collective efforts reflect the dedication and collaboration needed to protect and restore vital coral reef ecosystems.”

World Oceans Day SeaWorld Orlando: Key Milestones in Coral Reproduction and Reef Repopulation:

• It was the first facility in the world to successfully grow Mycetophyllia ferox (rough cactus coral) in an aquarium setting.
• In 2024, the FCRC delivered over 1 million coral larvae for use in restoration and research.
• In May 2025, the facility grew over 1 million Diploria labyrinthiformis larvae during a single spawning event, returning more than 500,000 directly to Florida’s Coral Reef.

“Coral reefs are vital to maintaining healthy ocean environments,” said Jon Peterson, president of SeaWorld Orlando. “Our collaboration with the FCRC as well as the work being done here at the SeaWorld Coral Rescue facility provides essential care for rescued corals, ultimately contributing to the restoration of Florida’s reef systems.”

MSM News

For more information on the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center visit, www.SeaWorldOrlando.com. For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.

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