More than ever, the fate of the ocean is in our hands. Learn about different threats to the ocean and its organisms, successful conservation stories, and what you can do to help.

EDUCATOR RESOURCES

LATEST BLOG POSTS

Earth Day, Spawned from the Sea

Apr 22, 2013 - 10:29AMSometimes I think that our planet Earth, named for the Old English word for “dry land” (eorthe), should get a new name. Despite our knowledge that more than 70% of the planet’s surface is ocean—definitely not “dry land”—we still...

Field Notes from the East African Coast
Apr 17, 2013 - 2:09PM
We began this journey three months ago, a team of scientists and filmmakers...

Ocean Acidification Excites Boring Spong...
Mar 20, 2013 - 11:52AM
Boring sponges get a bad rap. Their own name betrays them, announcing to the...

SPOTLIGHT

5 Simple Things You Can Do for the Ocean

CREDIT: Flickr User Fabi Fliervoet   1. Bring Your Own The trash we "throw away" doesn't disappear. Plastic bags...
MORE CONSERVATION

AUDIO / VIDEO

  • In this presentation taped in 2011 at the National Museum of Natural History, Dr. Nancy Rabalais outlines the challenges to develop and implement large-scale restoration plans for the Gulf Coast ecosystem.

    Dr. Nancy Rabalais: Troubled Waters in the Gulf of Mexico
  • <p>Extracting DNA from fins helps scientists identify a shark's species and where it was born--information that is critical to conservation efforts.</p>

    Shark Fin Genetics
  • <p>Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's Dr. Chris Reddy studies the biological impacts of oil on a Massachusett's salt marsh that was inundated with oil after a spill in 1969.</p>

    Oil and Water Don't Mix, Even After 40 Years
  • <p>This video explains some of the potential effects on the marine environment from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.</p>

    The Gulf Oil Spill: Effects on Marine Life
  • "Sampling the Source" describes successful efforts by WHOI scientists to obtain the only samples of oil and gas directly from the broken riser pipe and blow-out preventer and return them to the surface at pressure.

    Science in a Time of Crisis: Sampling the Source
  • <p>A counter keeps track of how many sharks are killed each year by humans as compared to how many humans are killed by sharks.</p>

    100,000,000 to 000,000,001: Rethink the Shark
  • Amazing Ocean is a brand new mobile app developed by the U.S. Department of State that features Smithsonian Ocean Portal and Sant Ocean Hall content. The app allows users to explore photos, videos, and rich ocean-themed content on their mobile devices

    Amazing Ocean Mobile App: What Does It Do?
  • Engineers are using innovative methods to turn marine debris into usable energy.

    Recycled Fishing Gear Converted into Energy
  • A new net makes it easier for fishermen to catch only the fish they want.

    Reducing Bycatch
  • <p>In the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill, what is the effect of oil on invertebrates like jellyfish, clams, crabs, sea stars, and plankton? Dr. Chris Mah suggests “The Invisible Loss” may be widespread and devastating.</p>

    Oil’s Impact on Marine Invertebrates
  • Dr. Jeremy Jackson presents his 'Brave New Ocean' talk at the National Museum of Natural History as part of the Changing Tides lecture series on World Ocean Day, 2010.

    Changing Tides - Brave New Ocean
  • <p>A video emphasizing that ocean fish aren’t as big as they used to be.</p>

    Really Small Fry: Shifting Baselines in Marine Fish Stocks
  • <p><strong><a href="http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-news/when-art-meets-science-hyberbolic-crochet-coral-reef">The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef</a></strong> brings together mathematics, marine science, craft, and community activism in an effort to raise awareness about the threat to coral reefs worldwide. Watch the archived webcast of the panel discussion from March 12, 2011 on "Stories from the Reef," the impact of community projects on conservation efforts.</p>

    Webcast: Stories from the Reef
  • <p>A humorous look at a real problem – people feeding wild Dolphins.</p>

    Don't Feed Wild Dolphins

IMAGE GALLERIES

  • World Fisheries from Sea to Table
  • A healthy coral reef in Indonesia

    Two Views of Coral Reefs: Thriving and Threatened
  • Tridacna maxima

    Marine World Heritage Photo Gallery

  • Laysan Albatrosses’ Plastic Problem
  • Students study the effect of climate change on crabs.

    Teens Take Action on the Ocean & Climate
  • A Hawaiian monk seal

    Backbone of Biodiversity at Risk

  • Zooxanthellae

PHOTOS

  • Socotra Archipelago, Yemen

  • Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary Map Project

  • Undisturbed vs. Trawled Reef

  • The Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal

  • Bleached Corals, Pacific Ocean

  • Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Burn

  • Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument

  • Tracking Ocean Acidification

  • iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

  • Oil Samples in the Gulf

  • Macquarie Island, Australia

  • Heard & McDonald Islands, Australia

  • Brown Pelican covered in oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill

  • Dauphin Island Sea Lab Delegation