The Ocean

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Mission Blue

PROJECT:Mission Blue: Bahamas Expedition

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Join the Sylvia Earle Alliance and the Nature Conservancy as they explore the beautiful waters around the Bahamas, a critical Hope Spot.

Follow Sylvia's Blog

LOCATION: Bahama Islands

DATE: May 21-28, 2012

Photograph by Andre Axford Bryars, My Shot

 

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-September 2012

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

 

Pitcairn Expedition

PROJECT: Pristine Seas: Pitcairn Islands Expedition

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

National Geographic explorers Enric Sala and Mike Fay explored and surveyed the state of Pitcairn’s marine and terrestrial areas and will propose recommendations to the Pitcairn community for the conservation of their resources.

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LOCATION: Pitcairn Islands

DATE: February-March 2012

Photograph by Enric Sala

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.

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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.

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    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

National Geographic Magazine

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    Tide Pools Pictures

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

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    Great Barrier Reef Photo Gallery

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

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    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.

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    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.