People participate in the event at Shanghai Ocean Aquarium on Tuesday night. Photo: Courtesy of Consulate General of Norway in Shanghai

Oceans cover more than 70 percent of our planet's surface and play a critical role in maintaining the Earth's life-support systems which produce "at least 50 percent of our oxygen," Lise Nordgaard, Consul General of Norway in Shanghai, said during an event held at Shanghai Ocean Aquarium on Tuesday night.

June 8 marks the World Oceans Day, with the theme of "The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods", which focuses on the importance of oceans for people's life and activities in the world.

The oceans also provide transportation, energy, recreation and employment, the Norwegian consul stressed, noting that without healthy oceans human beings can't have a healthy future. 

This year, the World Oceans Day in China will highlight the protection of marine biodiversity as well as raising awareness of the public about the coexistence between human beings and nature, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Zhou Meng, from the School of Oceanography of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, explained at the event the importance of healthy oceans and called for more training for young scientists by sharing knowledge in science and technology. 

"Currently, we are focusing on several problems such as ecological protection, rational use of resources and climate change," Zhou said during a group interview on Tuesday, noting that humans would like to slow down climate change, not accelerate it.

When talking about seafood safety, Victoria Braathen, Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council of the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, told the Global Times on Tuesday that "the Norwegian seafood industry has been present in the China market for over 20 years" and its products have a strong position in this market.

She also noted a rise in new partnerships between Norwegian and Chinese seafood businesses which would guarantee a long-term presence in the Chinese market.

The event was organized by the Norwegian Consulate in Shanghai, together with Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Seafood Council.