Pristine Seas is an exploration, research, and conservation project that aims to find, survey, and help protect the last healthy, undisturbed places in the ocean. By carefully studying how marine ecosystems work without human interference, we can learn how to help healthy reefs thrive, help unhealthy reefs recover, and better preserve the ocean, which covers more than two-thirds of our planet.
Expeditions
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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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Cocos Island
In September 2009, Enric Sala, Sylvia Earle, and a team of scientists gathered in Costa Rica to document the pristine waters of Cocos Island and study the Gemelas Seamounts.
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Southern Line Islands
This expedition was the first comprehensive study of its kind—to establish a baseline model for healthy coral reefs and devise a blueprint for the conservation of already degraded reefs.
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Northern Line Islands
Enric Sala and his team took a trip back in time to a pristine ecosystem at Kingman Reef during their expedition to the northern Line Islands.
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Pitcairn Expedition
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.
Expedition Leader
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Your Ocean
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For Kids
Learn about the ocean with activities, photos, and games.
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Ocean Education
Bring engaging and important ocean learning to your classroom.
Support the Ocean
Help protect the last healthy, undisturbed places in the ocean so we can learn how to help healthy reefs thrive, help unhealthy reefs recover, and better preserve 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.