Help Marine Life
By Jennifer Kennedy, About.com Guide
Marine Conservation Basics
Learn what marine conservation means, ways to protect the marine environment and how you can celebrate the oceans every year on World Oceans Day.
- What Is Earth Day?
- What Is Marine Conservation?
- Easy Ways to Protect Marine Life
- World Oceans Day - A Day to Celebrate the Oceans
Ocean Acidification
We are just starting to learn more about the problem of ocean acidification, which is related to an increase in carbon dioxide, and can have catastrophic effects on marine ecosystems. Learn about ocean acidification and the latest news on this issue.
- What Is Ocean Acidification?
- Scientists Release Study On Ocean Acidification: Fossil Fuels To Blame
- Corals, Shellfish Under Threat From Ocean Acidification
- Fish Poop Helps Regulate Ocean pH
Coral Reef Conservation
Coral reefs have been referred to as the "rainforests of the sea" because of their great biodiversity. Many types of marine life, and humans, depend on healthy coral reefs.
- What Is Coral Bleaching?
- Coral Reefs Recover From Bleaching
- NOAA Predicts Record Coral Bleaching In Caribbean
Fishing
Centuries of fishing have caused profound effects on fish populations. A big field in marine conservation is assessing fish populations and restoring depleted populations. Learn about overfishing, issues related to fishing and what is being done to minimize the effect of fishing on habitats and marine life caught as bycatch.
- What Is Overfishing?
- Choosing Sustainable Seafood
- Turtle Excluder Devices (TED) - Protecting Sea Turtles
- What Is Bycatch?
- History of Cod Fishing
- Catch a Big Fish? Let It Go!
- Arctic Fishing Area Closed Due to Global Warming
- Do You Eat Eco-Friendly Fish?
- Shark Conservation Act of 2009
- What Is Shark Finning?
Whaling
Although the heyday of whaling ended long ago, whaling still occurs, as scientific research, aboriginal cultural whaling, and as outright commercial hunting. Learn more about regulation of whaling and who's hunting whales today.
- Whaling and the International Whaling Commission
- Is "Whale Wars" Risking Lives?
- Japan Kills 680 Antarctic Whales, Lower Than Target
- Are Whaling Protests Workng?
- Whaling Commission Chief Seeks Compromise
Marine Protected Areas and Marine Reserves
Many advocate the creation of marine protected areas or marine reserves to protect marine life, create a "safe" place for marine life to reproduce and thrive, and protect habitats.
- What Is a Marine Protected Area (MPA)?
- Bush to Create World's Largest Marine Protected Area
- Major Marine Habitats
Pollution and Marine Debris
Pollution is a problem plaguing our oceans, but it is a difficult problem to study. One problem associated with pollution is marine debris - items such as trash occurring in the marine environment that don't naturally belong there. Other types of pollution include runoff and oil spills. Learn about marine pollution and what some people are doing to prevent it.