May is “Month of the Ocean” (MOO) to make people understand how conservation, protection, and sustainable management of ocean coastal and marine resources translate to a healthy and flourishing community, because these resources provide economic and ecological benefits, such as food, livelihood, and recreation, as well as biodiversity, aesthetic value, and shoreline protection. MOO celebration creates awareness on current state of the oceans, and ecosystem goods and services provided by marine biodiversity. It emphasizes the effects of unsustainable coastal and marine development on ocean biodiversity, and how they impact on upland and coastal communities. And it urges people’s participation in safeguarding and promoting sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.

Month of the ocean: Stand up, save Philippine reefs. (2015, May 29). Manila Bulletin, p.16.