The Ocean

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Tracking & Genetic Analysis of Mola

PROJECT: Site Fidelity and Behavior Patterns of the Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) in the Galápagos Marine Reserve

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The ocean sunfish (mola) is the world's heaviest bony fish, capable of reaching up to 4,850 pounds (2,200 kilograms) on a diet made up primarily of jellyfish. With growing reports of global jellyfish blooms, the role of the sunfish—Earth's largest jelly-eater—is becoming increasingly important. The project, led by National Geographic Emerging Explorer Tierney Thys, focuses in part on conservation, tracking, and genetic analysis.

LOCATION: Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

DATE: March 2010-March 2011

Photograph by Mike Johnson

 

Studying Coastal and Underwater Archaeology

PROJECT: Coastal and Underwater Archaeology of the Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Grantee Geoffrey Bailey is investigating the Farasan Islands in the southern Red Sea, surveying and excavating inland shell mounds and other coastal sites formed during the past seven millennia. The project is one of few to address the deeper history of coastal adaptations on the submerged shelf.

LOCATION: Farasan Islands (Saudi Arabia)

DATE: May 2010–June 2011

Photograph by Hans Sjoeholm

 

Exploring the Deep Ocean

PROJECT: Nautilus Live

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Follow along as Dr. Robert Ballard and his team undertake an exciting expedition on the E/V Nautilus to map the sea floor, study underwater volcanoes, investigate unusual life forms, explore shipwrecks, and more. It's all at http://nautiluslive.org/

Watch Live »

LOCATION: Mediterranean Sea

DATE: July-November 2011

Photograph courtesy E/V Nautilus

 

ECOCEAN

PROJECT: ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-Identification Library

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-Identification Library is a visual database of whale shark encounters and individually catalogued whale sharks. Using cutting-edge software, photographs, and public sighting information, the library continues to collect and analyze data to learn more about the largest fish in the sea.

Learn More »

LOCATION: Whale shark range globally

DATE: Ongoing since 1995

Photograph Copyright Kurt Amsler/RolexAwards

 

Tracking Manta Rays

PROJECT: Long-Term Movement of Manta Rays off the Yucatán Peninsula

LOCATION: Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

DATE: May 2010–September 2011

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Working from two marine protected areas, Adam Summers is collaborating with Felipe Galván-Magaña to tag manta rays as part of an ongoing active tracking project. Using the data gathered, Summers will estimate migration patterns and swimming behavior to further develop conservation management for mantas on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

 

Salas y Gómez Expedition

PROJECT: MISSION BLUE: Salas y Gómez Expedition

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

National Geographic and Oceana scientists, in collaboration with the Chilean Navy, are traveling to their next expedition location--the remote Salas y Gómez Island, some 200 miles (about 323 km) east of Easter Island, Chile, where they will discover what lies beneath these largely unexplored waters.

Learn More

LOCATION: Salas y Gómez Island

DATE: February-March 2011

Photograph by Ford Cochran

Located all over the world, National Geographic explorers and grantees are working to investigate, map, and conserve unique and valuable marine animals and resources. Using the Live Expedition Tracker, learn about current and upcoming projects led by scientists and researchers who are using cutting-edge technology to explore the oceans.

Related Features

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    Salas y Gómez Expedition

    National Geographic, Oceana, and the Chilean Navy, traveled to the remote Salas y Gómez Island, east of Easter Island, Chile, where they surveyed these largely unexplored waters.

  • Photo: A diver in an underwater cave

    Blue Holes Project

    National Geographic Emerging Explorer Kenny Broad and a team of divers aren't afraid to go far underground to explore the Bahamas' underwater caves and aquifers.

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    Plastiki

    David de Rothschild and crew took a daring trip across the Pacific in a boat made of post-consumer plastic bottles. Learn more about this extraordinary ocean voyage.

Ocean Heroes

Ocean Videos

Ocean Photo Galleries

Ocean Topics

World Oceans Summit


In association with National Geographic, The Economist is hosting the World Oceans Summit to examine the future of the seas and discuss sustainable use of the oceans. Speakers include National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Sylvia Earle and Enric Sala and World Bank President Robert Zoellick, among others. Valued members of the National Geographic Society community receive a 20 percent discount to attend the summit—reserve your place today (select ‘standard rate’ and enter discount code ‘NATGEO’).

Register Today »

National Geographic Magazine

  • Photo: Waves crashing over rocks covered with sea grass and kelp

    Tide Pools Pictures

    A cast of thousands clings to rocky real estate in a narrow strip of shore called the intertidal zone.

  • Photo: Parrotfish smile, Heron Island Great barrier Reef, Australia

    Great Barrier Reef Photo Gallery

    From tiny coral polyps grew a marvel: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Could it all come crumbling down?

  • Photo: Seafloor bubbling due to the higher levels of CO2

    The Acid Sea

    Carbon dioxide we pump into the air is seeping into the ocean and slowly acidifying it.

Get More From the Magazine »

Your Ocean

  • Photo: Clown anemonefish

    For Kids

    Learn about the ocean with activities, photos, and games.

  • Photo: A school of fish and a shark swim in a coral reef.

    Ocean Education

    Bring engaging and important ocean learning to your classroom.

Support the Ocean

Explore the Ocean

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    Ocean Life

    Order ocean books, DVDs, maps, and more from the National Geographic online store.

  • Photo: Leopard seals on a glacier

    Ocean Special Issue

    Explore the world's oceans, from their prehistoric beginnings to modern-day efforts to preserve their natural wonder.

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    Citizens of the Sea

    Dive into astonishing diversity of ocean life from marine scientist Nancy Knowlton and the Census of Marine Life.