Although Plastic Free July is over, we can take action all year to reduce ocean plastic pollution. But individual actions alone can’t solve this crisis—and that’s where our elected officials come in. To tackle a problem this big and complex, we need …
Our ocean is full of bizarre and fascinating animals. Some, like the gummy squirrel, resemble creatures outlandish enough for Willy Wonka’s factory. But others are strikingly similar to the critters we encounter daily. Take Nemertea, commonly known as “ …
Along a bustling coral reef lit by sunlight, one can find an array of amazing creatures from surgeonfish to green sea turtles. After dark, these reefs are just as vibrant and a little spooky as some of our nocturnal underwater friends come out to roam the …
Recently, my work cleaning up and preventing plastic pollution took me to one of Earth’s most stunning and rugged places: the shores of Patagonia in Southern Argentina. You might be asking yourself, “How much plastic can there really be in such a remote …
Move over, Jack Sparrow: Not all pirates are humans after all. Enter frigatebirds (Fregatidae), a family of seabirds comprised of five unique species. While all five of these seabirds are captivating in their own right, one species has earned itself quite …
Last week we saw a momentous celebration of an incredible collaboration. #TeamSeas has surpassed the goal of removing 30 million pounds of trash from our ocean. This global, groundbreaking partnership removed more than 34 million pounds, leaving our …
The name “gummy squirrel” seems more fitting for a dangerously delicious confection dreamt up by Willy Wonka, but you may be surprised to learn it is actually a sea cucumber found in the deep ocean. While its name is inspired by its resemblance to gummy …
I’m honored to announce the winners of Ocean Conservancy’s 2024 Photo Contest. This year we received hundreds of beautiful, inspiring and heartbreaking photo submissions. And I’m so grateful for every photographer who sent in their images and the record- …
This blog is best read with musical accompaniment. May we suggest, Barracuda by Heart? You’ll be glad you listened while you read. The great barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda, has a reputation for being fast, aggressive and a fish you should avoid. Their …
This blog was co-written by Natalia De Prisco. Natalia is an 11th grade student in Doral, Florida, who participated in Plastic Free Cities during the Fall 2023 semester. She aspires to pursue a career in business, speaks four languages and is passionate …
“Sea pickles,” “sea worms,” “fire bodies”— these are just a few of the wacky nicknames for one of our ocean’s most mysterious creatures: pyrosomes. Pyrosomes (Family Pyrosomatidae) may look like bizarre jellyfish at first glance, but these quirky critters …
With more than 90% of global trade moving by ocean transport, maritime shipping is a major driver of the world economy. However, shipping has a serious pollution problem that threatens our climate, communities and the marine environment. If we are to avert …
This blog was co-written by Vincent Leggett, the Admiral of the Chesapeake and founder and president of Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, and Deedee Strum, the chief administrative officer of Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, in collaboration with …
We are officially within the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season here in the United States, and just a couple weeks ago, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its forecast for this year’s season. The outlook will blow you away. …
Many beachgoers are familiar with the rolling, sandy landscape created by coastal dunes. But do you know about all the animals that inhabit the dunes? Let’s review some facts about dunes and dive into some of their most famous residents. Never miss an …
Mesmerizing crowns. Gorgeous colors. Alien-like appearances beneath our ocean’s surface. There’s no doubt about it that crown-of-thorns starfish are fascinating animals. But don’t be fooled by the beautiful hues and interesting spikes … too many of these …
The ocean is full of beautiful fish—the stargazer simply isn’t one of them. However, sometimes it’s the weird, wonderful, wacky fish that are the coolest, and the stargazer is no exception. Their wide, bugging eyes and perpetual frown will have you …
Did you know that scientists estimate there are trillions of fish alive in our ocean today? About 20,000 marine fish species are currently known to science, and sometimes it can be hard to tell them apart. Some fish, however, are so unique that you can …
When I think of worms, I think of going for a walk on a rainy day and seeing (and smelling) the earthworms on the sidewalk exploring their aboveground surroundings. Did you know that worms also live in our ocean? Yes, it’s true. Sometimes, I have a hard …
The 2023 Status of Stocks report illustrates the challenges of managing U.S. fisheries sustainably in an era where climate change is not down the road—it has already arrived. Overfishing remains a persistent issue, and rebuilding efforts continue to fall …
