The world's oceans are vitally important to all life on Earth. However, human activities are altering marine ecosystems in highly detrimental ways. To better protect our oceans, we need a greater understanding of how serious threats – overfishing, widespread pollution and global climate change – are altering these environments.
To improve our knowledge of ocean ecosystems and the life they support, the Ocean Science Division pursues a diverse portfolio of projects related to marine conservation. We develop and support scientific research, technical analyses and syntheses of scientific information that help to explain critical emerging issues, inform policy and advance solutions to conservation problems.
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The threats facing penguins vary in intensity and frequency among the species. Our interactive graphic shows population sizes and trends as well as moderate and major threats for 18 penguin species. More
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The natural charisma of penguins have captured the hearts of people around the world. These flightless Southern Hemisphere seabirds spend their time primarily in the water, but they come ashore to breed and nest. That makes them ideal environmental sentinels, signaling changing conditions in the ocean and along the coasts that can harm them and other marine life.More
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(Reuters) Sharks swimming free in the oceans may soon become more valuable as tourist attractions than when caught, sliced up and served in soup, a global study showed on Friday.More
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The shark ecotourism industry is a growing source of employment and tourism expenditures for many locations worldwide. The protection of live sharks, especially through dedicated protected areas, can directly benefit this industry.More
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According to a new global analysis, shark watching is a major economic driver for dozens of countries, generating $314 million annually.More
