September 15-16, 2016
Washington, DC
#OurOcean
Our Ocean, One Future
Protecting Our Ocean
Healthy marine protected areas safeguard the well-being of people by providing food, medicines and sheer beauty.
Our ocean needs to be protected
Fish and other marine life need safe havens to thrive. That's why more of the world's ocean is being set aside in marine protected areas.
In Hawaii, Pacific leaders set course to protect the planet
World leaders making up the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress travel to Hawaii for the 2016 conference.
Diving into conservation made her a leader — and a ‘mermaid’
Having seen the beauty of marine life, and ocean pollution, diver Anna Oposa realized that the sea needs protection, so she started Save Philippine Seas.
Sanctuaries save the creatures of the sea
Marine sanctuaries protect nature while allowing people to use the waters sustainably. On World Ocean Day, read about U.S. marine sanctuaries.
With ancient techniques, this canoe charts a new course for the ocean
A new generation of voyagers aboard the Hōkūle’a, a 62-foot voyaging canoe, is on a 60,000-nautical-mile voyage around the world.
To protect coral reefs, keep Dory swimming [video]
Conservationists urge people to leave the regal blue tang, the fish star of "Finding Dory," in the wild to protect precious coral reefs.
Here’s a new way for boats to steer clear of whales
Whale Alert provides a real-time display of the ocean and a ship’s position, along with information about where whales have been seen or heard recently.
Marine Pollution
Angela Haseltine Pozzi hopes her sculptures made from plastic trash will inspire people to think more about how they can help protect the ocean.
Ocean art at State Department illustrates threat to marine life
A colorful fish made of plastic debris recovered from the ocean is displayed outside of the State Department to bring awareness of polluted waters.
Our ocean should be trash-free
Scientists estimate that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. It's not too late to act and protect #OurOcean: Learn what you can do.
Tide turns against plastic ocean pollution
From the deep sea to Arctic ice, oceans are under enormous stress from millions of tons of plastic trash, which can remain in the environment for centuries.
Solar pilot: ‘I flew over plastic waste as big as a continent’
During his solar-powered plane ride over the Pacific Ocean, pilot Bertrand Piccard saw a troubling scene: a mass of plastics polluting the water.
Are you washing your face with plastic?
Plastic microbeads, found in cosmetic products and soaps, slip through drainage filtration systems and into waterways, harming fish and the environment.
Pacific garbage soup is entering the food chain. Why you should worry [video]
A massive amount of the world’s garbage has found its way to the central Pacific Ocean. Ocean pollution is an urgent issue; learn more.
Will silk replace plastic and prevent food waste?
About half of the produce grown for human consumption spoils. A silk protein could keep food from going to waste and reduce the need for plastics.
Impact of Climate Change
Coral reefs are vanishing faster than rain forests. Why? Every day for the last decade, our ocean has absorbed roughly 22 million tons of carbon dioxide.
Webcam whale research buoyed by viewers around the world
Scientists are crowdsourcing data to learn more about beluga whales, their social behaviors and how their environment is affected by climate change.
Haunting melodies can help you hear climate change [video]
Music has always been a useful tool to raise awareness and prompt action on important issues, and global warming is no different. Listen to these sounds.
Why should we care if shore crabs can’t smell?
Greenhouse gases are altering ocean chemistry. The acidification is damaging marine creatures and their ability to avoid predators and find food and mates.
Surfers doing science in the breakers
Who needs a lab coat when you have a wet suit? These citizen scientists are helping collect oceanic data by using SmartFin technology when they surf.
How climate change is harming coral reefs
Anybody near a coral reef could see climate change in action soon. Scientists predict warmer ocean waters are likely to cause more coral-bleaching events.
Sustainable Fisheries
Indonesia has a new tool to spot illegal fishing boats. It’s about the size of a shoebox and weighs only 4.5 kilograms.
Our ocean feeds the world
Fisheries face challenges that could mean the loss of food and jobs for billions. World leaders will meet at the Our Ocean conference, September 15–16.
Not in our soup: U.S. businesses embrace sustainable fishing
High-profile U.S. companies are taking action to save marine life because bad fishing practices are harming ocean resources.
Save sea life. Stop illegal fishing.
Pirates are stealing food from the world's table. A U.S. presidential task force is pushing for "aggressive steps" to stop illegal and unregulated fishing.
Speedy fish can’t outswim human demand
Humans depend on fish and oceans for survival, and the world is finally waking up to the dangers of overfishing and the importance of preserving fisheries.
At ground zero for climate change, traditions and livelihoods hang in the balance
People across the Arctic are facing extreme weather, unpredictable hunting seasons, unstable ice and other effects of global warming. What can they do?