The Ocean

Ocean Life

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Did You Know?

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Check out these little known facts about the ocean.

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More About the Ocean

  • Photo: Fish schooled into a vortex

    Pristine Seas Expeditions

    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.

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    World's Weirdest: Killer of the Deep

    The anglerfish uses a shiny lure to bring prey within range of its sharp teeth. But it also has a weirdly clingy side - after finding a female, the male black devil angler latches on and never lets go!

  • Photo: Fish swimming over coral

    Ocean Acidification

    The introduction of massive amounts of CO2 into the seas is altering water chemistry and affecting the life cycles of many marine organisms.

Why We Need Marine Reserves



Ninety percent of the large predators in the ocean are gone and their populations have collapsed. The reason for this is that we have taken too many fish out of the sea, and we keep taking more before the remaining populations are able to reproduce.


Watch this video where Mel, the “very weird” fish, will show you how marine reserves can help fish populations recover, and why we need many more.


Learn More

Island Spotlight

Ocean Videos

Ocean Topics

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.

  • Photo: Ocean Atlas from National Geographic

    Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas

    Immerse yourself in the wonders of the deep through colorful maps, photos, and satellite images.

Engage, Conserve, Restore

  • Photo: Sunset at waterfalls

    Freshwater Initiative

    The National Geographic Society’s freshwater initiative is a multi-year global effort to inspire and empower individuals and communities to conserve freshwater and preserve the extraordinary diversity of life that rivers, lakes, and wetlands sustain.