Yesterday Oceana launched an exciting initiative leading up to World Oceans Day on June 8. And it’s all about everyday ocean heroes.

First, starting today you can be an ocean hero by pledging to help protect the oceans. For every pledge made, Oceana receives $1 toward our campaign work -- up to $100,000!

And secondly, today is the official start of voting for the Ocean Heroes Contest. After you pledge, you'll have the chance to vote on this year's Ocean Hero. With more than 300 nominations, we’ve narrowed it down to six adults and five juniors, all with incredible stories.

And once you have pledged and voted, you can encourage others to do the same. By placing our pledge widget on your blog or website, you can help us reach the $100,000 mark. And if there’s an ocean hero finalist you really want to win, you can help them garner more votes with our campaign badges.

So pledge, vote and start spreading the word!

On Sunday, amid performances by the Roots, Passion Pit and John Legend, Aaron spoke at the Earth Day Climate Rally on the National Mall here in Washington.

“Ocean acidification is a real threat, as is overfishing,” he told the crowd. “New drilling must be forestalled while other invaluable, sustainable alternatives such as wind energy adopted. Today, I'm helping here by speaking and partnering with the ocean conservation group Oceana.

Together, we created Race for the Oceans, an open water swimming event that raises money and awareness toward ocean conservation. We also created Racefortheoceans.org, an online forum for swimmers and conservationists alike.”

Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Looking for a way to take action for the oceans on this important day? Tell your senators to stop efforts to expand offshore drilling on our coasts.

Want more? Here are some more ways you can help protect the oceans.

Usually I’m telling you to race for the oceans. Today I’m telling you to bid for the oceans.

As you may have heard by now, Christie’s, along with NBC Universal, Barneys New York, and Charitybuzz, has put together a star-studded auction called “A Bid to Save the Earth” for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22.

The auction will benefit four environmental non-profits: Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council, Conservation International, and Central Park Conservancy. In addition to a live auction at Christie’s on Earth Day, there will be an online silent auction at www.charitybuzz.com from April 8 – May 6.

Aaron’s not always on the water -- sometimes he’s on the ice.

Last weekend he attended a Dallas Stars hockey game as a part of their Olympic Series. He spoke to fans about what it takes to be an Olympian and the importance of ocean conservation, explaining how events like Race for the Oceans contribute to Oceana’s mission. Fans were able to meet and mingle with Aaron after the talk. A portion of each ticket that was sold to Aaron’s speech was given back to Oceana.

The event was a great success; Aaron had a great time, and needless to say, so did his fans.

[Photo credit: Renee Doyle]

Oceana is now taking nominations for its second annual Ocean Heroes contest!

If you know someone -- including yourself -- who has made a significant, ongoing contribution to ocean conservation, they want to hear about it.

This year, there are two categories: adult and junior. They will announce finalists in late April, and then open it up for voting. The winners will receive a gift from contest sponsor Nautica plus a trip to Oceana's blue carpet World Oceans Day event in Los Angeles.

Also, to get you inspired, check Oceana's blog in the coming weeks to learn about what the 2009 Ocean Hero Finalists are up to now.

Submit your nomination today!

Aaron Peirsol's second annual Race for the Oceans will take place on the weekend of October 10th and 11th in Fort Myers, Florida. (It's hard to believe it's been almost a year!)

Like last year, the event will consist of an All Ages Clinic, a Jr. Swim, and a 1K and 5K Challenge. Last year was a great success, so register now to see if you can splash past the gold medal Olympian.

Aaron has, once again, beaten his own world record in the 200m backstroke! Swimming in the World Championships in Rome, Aaron won a gold medal with a time of 1 minute and 51.82 seconds, more than a full second under his previous world record set only three weeks ago at US Nationals. Although he lagged behind fellow American and defending Olympic champ Ryan Lochte at the beginning of the race, Aaron pulled ahead in the last half of the race for the win.

After Oceana requested information about the use of antibiotics in Chile’s salmon industry, Chile’s Ministry of Economy revealed for the first time ever that Chile used about 718,000 pounds of antibiotics in 2008 and 850,000 pounds in 2007. In an article titled “Chile’s Antibiotic Use on Salmon Farms Dwarfs That of a Top Rival’s” in Sunday’s The New York Times, Alex Munoz, Oceana’s vice president for South America, was quoted criticizing Chile’s overuse of antibiotics in its salmon farms.