World Oceans Day: Why June 8 is an important day for our planet

Editor's note: This story has been updated ahead of World Oceans Day 2017.

Our oceans, our future. That's the theme for this year's World Oceans Day. (2016's theme: Healthy oceans, healthy planet.)

This unofficial holiday isn't just about enjoying beaches, but also respecting the earth's aquatic resources. This year, people and organizations are encouraged to specifically work toward eliminating plastic pollution, according to the World Oceans Day website, an offshoot of The Ocean Project.

A January 2016 report from the World Economic Forum and Ellen MacArthur Foundation showed that by 2050, there could be more plastic (by weight) than fish in the planet's oceans. As much as 165 million tons of plastic could be floating around the oceans currently.

Most plastic is not biodegradable, and a vast majority of it is not being recycled effectively, hence the massive amounts being dumped.

Here are some ways to cut down on the volume of plastic waste:

1. Drink water differently

Instead of throwing away a plastic water bottle every time you need a drink, use reusable water bottles and refill them. You'll save money AND create less waste.

2. Shop 'til you drop

Bring cloth bags with you when running errands. Plastic bags can get caught around sea animals necks or in their digestive tracks and harm them. Cloth bags are reusable, and usually can hold more, which means fewer trips between the car and the house.

3. Pick it up

Participate in a litter cleanup on a beach near you. The World Oceans Day website lists events all over the world at which volunteers gather to pick up trash and plastic from the beach. It'll improve appearances and protect the wildlife.

4. Leave no trace

Fishing enthusiasts should follow the old hiker's adage, "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints." Make sure to bring all fishing gear and any trash back with you, whether you're on the shoreline or on a boat (although in that case, you won't even leave any footprints).

5. Other ways to help

Another way to help out the world's waves is to eat sustainable seafood. This means fish or crustaceans that are caught in a way that preserves their populations, according to National Geographic. Sustainable fish farms are particularly conscious of pollution and disease, although it is possible for wild fisheries to practice sustainability by targeting fish lower on the food chain that are able to replenish their own populations quickly.

Alternatively, cut back on seafood consumption altogether, as popular species like salmon or tuna are extremely overfished.

More information about the organization and the holiday can be found on their website, worldoceansday.org, or on their Twitter and Facebook.