ENVIRONMENTAL organisation Greenpeace called on local MPs to celebrate World Penguin Awareness Day by backing a campaign to protect global oceans.

In celebration of the special day a photography exhibition showcased wildlife and the environment but also served as a reminder of the dwindling population of the tuxedo species.

The event featured photos of iconic endangered animals such as walruses, whales, giant jellyfish and penguins.

They were taken from aboard the Greenpeace ship the Esperanza, which is travelling from Pole to Pole and is currently in the Antarctic.

Visitors also had the opportunity to experience a virtual reality 3D simulation of the Antarctic ocean narrated by international film star and Greenpeace representative Javier Bardem who, on behalf of the environmental organisation, made an impassioned plea at the United Nations to save the world’s oceans last August.

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While the Oxford branch of Greenpeace invited local MPs Layla Moran, Anneliese Dodds and Robert Courts to the exhibition last Friday, volunteer Emma Tinker said none of them made an appearance.

She said: “It’s a shame that no local MPs could make it, but we hope that they can support the campaign by signing Greenpeace’s Protect the Oceans Declaration and asking for the UK government to support a strong Global Oceans Treaty.”

Signed by more than 2.5 million people, with almost a quarter of a million of those from the UK, the petition urges governments at the UN to create and implement ocean sanctuaries - or marine reserves - areas that are off limits to all extractive and destructive uses like mining and industrial fishing.

Ms Tinker, from Florence Park, said: “We have put on this exhibition ahead of the final UN negotiations in March on a Global Ocean Treaty to show the risks that iconic wildlife such as penguins face from overfishing, melting ice and plastic pollution.

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“It is vital that we protect at least 30 per cent of our oceans by 2030.”

The volunteer added: “As an island nation, we know how important our oceans are for food, tourism and to protect us from the climate emergency."

The treaty process is due to conclude with a fourth and final round in New York this spring.

Based on research by the National Academies of Sciences in USA, Greenpeace argues that ocean sanctuaries are the most cost effective way to reverse the current ocean crisis, to restore damaged ecosystems and to build ocean resilience.

For those interested in joining the environmental organisation, volunteers from the Oxfordshire branch meet on the first Thursday of every month at 7.30.pm at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates.

They regularly hold climate emergency meetings, rallies, public engagement events and cultural events.