🦈 Healthy oceans depend on sharks. These vital predators maintain balance in ocean ecosystems by regulating prey populations and preying on old and sick fish, which promotes overall fish health.

Protecting these iconic ocean animals is crucial now more than ever.

Ocean acidification is weakening sharks' teeth, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems.

This change highlights the broader impact of climate change on ocean life.

Rizky Oktaviana endured 18 months of unpaid labor as a fisher on a trawling vessel, witnessing illegal fishing practices and harsh conditions. Now, he advocates for the rights of migrant fishers, highlighting that at least 128,000 fishers are currently trapped in forced labor at sea. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing not only exploits workers but also threatens marine ecosystems and global food security, costing between $26 to $50 billion annually.

To combat these abuses, coordinated action is essential, including stronger protections from policymakers and transparency in seafood supply chains. Learn more about fishers' journeys from exploitation to advocacy and how we can work together for a better future for fishers and our oceans: Fishers Speak Out.

Giant Pacific octopuses are known for their intelligence, capable of remembering landmarks, navigating their environment, and using tools.

Discover more about these fascinating cephalopods in our Marine Life Encyclopedia.

Microplastics are pervasive, contaminating our environment, bodies, and food globally. Awareness of this issue has surged in recent years, prompting the need for action.

Discover more about microplastics and Oceana's initiatives to combat the plastic crisis at Oceana. Stay updated by subscribing to Oceana's channel at this link, or become a Wavemaker to support ocean conservation at this link. Follow Oceana on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Ocean evolution has produced fish in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some fish use their pectoral fins to "walk," while others, like ghost sharks, thrive in the dark depths of the ocean.

These unique adaptations make these ocean animals well suited for life beneath the waves.

In 2022, Oceana researchers spent eight days exploring 23 sites around Kodiak Island to study deep-sea corals and seafloor habitats. The expedition revealed a vibrant ocean ecosystem from the surface to the seafloor.

The goal was to enhance understanding of the Gulf of Alaska's seafloor to aid Oceana's campaign against destructive bottom trawling.

🌊 Get Involved 🌊
Subscribe to Oceana: https://oceana.ly/subscribe
Become a Wavemaker: https://oceana.ly/4rGhn8Z
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

The deep sea urgently needs protection as corporations rush to mine minerals in fragile habitats, risking the destruction of ecosystems we barely understand. In this video, Oceana Senior Advisor Alexandra Cousteau highlights the detrimental effects of deep-sea mining on marine life.

We must prevent the exploitation of this unique ecosystem. Join us in urging lawmakers to halt the fast-tracking of deep-sea mining: https://oceana.ly/4cm1NdO. Stay updated by subscribing to Oceana: https://oceana.ly/subscribe and become a Wavemaker: https://oceana.ly/4rGhn8Z. Follow Oceana on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

August brought significant positive developments for our oceans. Federal lawmakers took a stand against the Trump administration to protect endangered species.

Additionally, a brutal annual seabird hunt was canceled for the first time in over 400 years, marking a notable victory for marine conservation.

Cardinalfish fathers exhibit a unique parenting behavior by carrying their eggs in their mouths for protection.

Learn more about these fascinating creatures and their role in marine life.

Plastic pollution threatens the pristine natural beauty and biodiversity of U.S. national parks, from Glacier Bay's icebergs to Dry Tortugas' coral reefs.

This National Parks Week, join the effort to protect these vital habitats from plastic waste. Learn more at Oceana.

In the past year, scientists have uncovered some extraordinary species, including hairy fish and carnivorous "death-ball" sponges.

These discoveries highlight the incredible diversity of ocean wildlife and the ongoing importance of STEM research in understanding our planet's ecosystems.

The ocean sunfish is among the heaviest bony fish, reaching weights of up to 4,900 pounds.

Discover more about sunfish in our Marine Life Encyclopedia.

Dugongs and manatees are often confused, but they are distinct relatives. A simple way to differentiate them is by their tails: dugongs have fluke-shaped tails, while manatees have paddle-shaped tails.

To learn more about dugongs, visit our Marine Life Encyclopedia: https://oceana.ly/4zjglF2.

The ocean is teeming with incredible creatures that seem almost unbelievable! Discover some wild ocean animals that boast astonishing features.

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of marine life and its weird inhabitants.

In October 2021, a damaged pipeline leaked nearly 25,000 gallons of oil off Huntington Beach, California, severely impacting people and wildlife.

We highlight five of the worst oil spills in U.S. history, demonstrating that where they drill, they spill, harming our oceans, marine life, and coastal communities. Say NO to the proposed expansion of offshore drilling by the U.S. government: Protect Our Coasts.

Some ocean moms face extreme physical challenges to raise their young. Discover how sea otter, blue whale, and octopus mothers make significant sacrifices for their offspring.

The last example might surprise you!

The peacock mantis shrimp boasts one of the fastest strikes in the animal kingdom!

Discover more about these fascinating crustaceans in our Marine Life Encyclopedia.

July was a month of significant achievements for ocean conservation! 🐚 ✨

From efforts to protect endangered species to new initiatives focused on restoring marine habitats, these actions are set to create positive change for our blue planet.

Sharks are facing significant challenges, but we can work together to protect these remarkable creatures.

It's #SharkWeek, an ideal opportunity to discover the importance of sharks and how we can safeguard them and their ocean habitat. Dive in at https://oceana.ly/4bkRc2m.