The Ocean

Protecting the Ocean

  • A sea otter eating shellfish.

    Cat Parasite Killing Sea Otters?

    "Implausible" Toxins Uncovered in Pacific

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The oceans are facing threats from many sides. Learn about the issues—pollution, overfishing, and global warming chief among them—and the possible solutions for protecting the ocean.

Critical Ocean Issues

More About Ocean Issues

  • Oil floats off the bow of a fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico.

    6 Gulf Oil Spill Surprises

    The Gulf oil spill delivered plenty of surprises—here's a look at some of the predictions experts got wrong.

  • Image: Noisy ocean story graphic

    Noisy Ocean

    The sounds of ships, from air guns to propellers, are on the increase, disrupting the lives of marine dwellers.

  • Declining Fish

    World fish stocks may run out by 2048, reveals a new report from Science magazine.

  • Algae blooms in the Baltic Sea.

    World's Largest Dead Zone

    Oxygen-sucking algae are blooming in the Baltic due to farm fertilizers and overfishing—and new efforts to stop the disaster may be too late, experts say.

Ocean Issues Videos

Ocean Topics

Support the Ocean

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.

Explore the Ocean

  • shark-eden-ocena-store-promo.jpg

    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.

National Geographic Magazine

  • Photo: Aerial of a detached Great Barrier Reef

    Great Barrier Reef Photo Gallery

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

  • Photo: Flooded slums of Dhaka, Bangledesh

    Bangladesh Photo Gallery

    The people of Bangladesh have much to teach us about how a crowded planet can best adapt to rising sea levels. For them, that future is now.

  • Photo: Weaver ants building a nest in Malaysia

    Weaver Ants Pictures

    With a remarkable array of communication skills, weaver ants may have perfected social networking.

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