World Oceans Day 2018 is today! What is the theme this year and how is the date marked?

THE wonder and woes of the world's oceans might be washing right over you.

But whether you're a tote-carrying anti-plastic warrior or you're not quite sure where to start, here's what you need to know about the annual day of the oceans.

When is World Oceans Day 2018 and what is it for?

The annual celebration of the earth's oceans takes place every year on June 8.

Since its creation in 1992 by the Government of Canada, the day has aimed to create more awareness around the importance of the sea - from regulating our climate to generating the oxygen we need to breathe.

Youth participation has also played an increasingly key role - with the introduction of a World Oceans Day Youth Advisory Council in 2016.

One of the main aims of the day was to help move oceans from the sidelines to the centre of intergovernmental and NGO discussions, as well as giving support to ocean and coastal bodies across the world.

The Ocean Project has organised the day since 2002, with a team based in the US and in dozens of other countries.

What is the theme this year?

This year's theme will be preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.

The theme is prompted by the catastrophic amount of plastic that is ending up in our oceans.

Eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean each year, causing £8billion in damage to marine ecosystems each year.

In 2017, the theme was "Our Oceans, Our Future", and in 2016 "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet";.

How is the date marked?

The day is celebrated through the launching of new campaigns and initiatives, special events at aquariums and zoos, outdoor explorations and aquatic and beach clean-ups.

There are also educational and conservation action programmes, art contests, film festivals and sustainable seafood events, from Hawaii to Islamabad.

Participants are able to find events around them or organise their own celebrations.

This year, participants are encouraged to think specifically about the plastic they use  - and if they can use less and recycle more.

People are also encouraged to use the hastages #WorldOceansDay and #SaveOurOcean to spread the word on cleaning up our oceans.