Together we can act for ocean health and the good of our planet. Our time to make a difference is not tomorrow, it’s now. We must create ocean-positive action today!

Carlos Drews EVP, Conservation

 

Our global impact

750 Partners selling Ocean Wise sustainable seafood
Our 750+ Ocean Wise Seafood partners are all over the world, and are as diverse as our oceans, lakes and rivers.
10,000 Alerts sent to help ships avoid whale collisions
The WhaleReport Alert System has sent over 10,000 alerts to ships, helping them to avoid collisions with whales. You can help by reporting your whale sightings using the WhaleReport app.
972,000 Shoreline cleanup participants since 1994
In 2019 alone, volunteers for the Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup program helped remove plastics and other litter from 3,937 km of shorelines.
522,000 Mobile program participants since 2012
Our mobile programs feature marine artifacts and hands-on interactive activities designed to encourage passion and care of our oceans and waterways.
About the Ocean

5 Mind-blowing Facts About The Ocean

The Ocean is a very large expanse of sea, in particular each of the main areas into which the sea is divided geographically. The climate crisis has given us all a renewed appreciation for our planet’s oceans and the marine life that lives beneath the water’s surface.
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Blogs


Why should we care about the ocean?

The world ocean provides so many benefits. Here are ten things the ocean does for humans and the planet:

  • The air we breathe: The ocean produces over half of the world's oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere.
  • Climate regulation: Covering 70 percent of the Earth's surface, the ocean transports heat from the equator to the poles, regulating our climate and weather patterns.
  • Transportation: Seventy-six percent of all U.S. trade involves some form of marine transportation.
  • Recreation: From fishing to boating to kayaking and whale watching, the ocean provides us with many unique activities.
  • Economic benefits: The U.S. ocean economy produces $282 billion in goods and services and ocean-dependent businesses employ almost three million people.
  • Food: The ocean provides more than just seafood; ingredients from the sea are found in surprising foods such as peanut butter and soymilk.
  • Medicine: Many medicinal products come from the ocean, including ingredients that help fight cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.

10 Ways You Can Help Save the Oceans

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Oceans cover 71 percent of the planet and are home to important species and ecosystems that we rely on for food, livelihoods, climate regulation and more. But the oceans need our help. Saving the oceans can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task, but if we all pitch in, we can make a big difference. Here are 10 lifestyle choices that – when adopted – can help protect and restore our oceans for future generations.


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Ocean

The ocean is the body of salt water that covers approximately 70.8% of the surface of Earth and contains 97% of Earth's water. In other words, an ocean is "any of the large bodies of water into which the great ocean is divided".


Ocean Types

Historically, there are four named oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic. However, most countries - including the United States - now recognize the Southern (Antarctic) as the fifth ocean. The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian are the most commonly known. The Southern Ocean is the 'newest' named ocean.


Ocean Characteristics

An ocean is a body of saline water that composes much of a planets hydrosphere. Salinity is a main defining component of the ocean, and it is the amount of dissolved solid material in the water. Although there are many dissolved salts in seawater, sodium chloride (commonly known as salt) is the most abundant.


Ocean Ecosystem

The major ocean ecosystems span polar, temperate and tropical waters, and include coastal waters, bays and estuaries, the deep sea water column, shallow and deep sea bottom (benthic) environments, sea mounts, island arcs, coral reefs, mangrove systems, salt marshes, frontal zones, and the centers of gyres.