What you can do to protect the ocean

Do you know what the number one thing you can do is to protect the ocean? Learn! Learn all you can about the threats facing the ocean and marine life. First and foremost, Global warming (Climate Change/Abrupt Climate Change) is the number one threat not only to marine life but to all of our ways of life as well. The debate is over. It is happening. Only the magnitude and details, such as whether we've reached a tipping point yet, remain. Now is the time to act. To learn all about Global Warming/Climate Change, what it really is, what very likely will happen, and what we can/should really do about you should it see these videos » Global Climate Destabilization: How It All Ends and post your thoughts, suggestions, and questions.

• Read other resources on how to protect the ocean such as 50 Ways to Save the Ocean by David Helvarg, an excellent resource filled with information on what you can do to protect the ocean (that we used to add to this page).
• Become a marine biologist—or better yet, a marine conservation biologist. This emerging field of marine biology is an important area of research needed to inform policy makers by providing evidence-based data that shows the ocean is in trouble and the solutions that are needed.
• Don't buy live saltwater fish caught in the wild for your aquarium. The fishing methods, such as cyaniding and dynamiting, for the live fish trade are horribly degrading to the marine environment. Hundreds of thousands of young and rare tropical reef fish die every year in aquariums in the US alone.
• If you must keep a saltwater tank, buy only Marine Aquarium Council certified fish to ensure your fish are sustainably caught or reared in captivity.
• Never return aquarium fish into the ocean or other body of water. This practice has introduced non-native species to many areas disrupting the balance of the marine ecosystem often causing widespread destruction.
• Learn to scuba dive if you want to experience the underwater realm. Diving is safer now than riding a bicycle, and, if you really like what you see when you're diving you can keep it forever! How? Take a digital camera or even a video camera with you!
• If you learn to dive, learn to dive responsibly. Don’t touch the reefs or marine life, and don’t take souvenirs. Leave only bubbles.
• Only patronize environmentally-conscious dive operators and refuse to dive on “cattle boats” that carry more than 10 divers per boat.
• Choose dive spots at eco-tourism destinations where marine resources are protected and marine conservation is a priority.
• Use your dive skills for science and conservation. Participate in “fish counts” such as the Great Annual Fish Count to help census reefs.
• Join an underwater cleanup or other activities through Project Aware.
• Stop eating seafood. Only 10% of the big-fish that once dominated the ocean remain today. According to a recent study, if we don't limit fishing and seafood consumption now, there will be no more fish in the next 50 years. Overfished species are rapidly becoming endangered. Nontargeted species caught as bycatch are also being depleted. For every pound of shrimp or prawns caught there are about 15 pounds(!) of bycatch thrown back, dead, into the ocean.
• Support Marine Protected Areas and support organizations working to establish MPAs such as the Ocean Conservancy, Conservation International, Environmental Defense, and others.
• Take your kids to the beach. A fun day at the beach can inspire years of wonder and provides a perfect opportunity to teach your kids about the ocean.
• Don’t walk on dunes. Dunes provide a barrier to wind and water to prevent beach erosion and often contain native plants vital to the local ecosystem.
• Keep beaches clean. Plastics and other debris harm sea life and pollute the ocean. Clean up after yourself. Get involved! Participate in beach cleanups if you live in a coastal area.
• Practice safe and clean boating. Obey no-wake zones, and watch out for marine life.
• Don’t dispose of trash or toilet waste in the ocean.
• Use environmentally friendly cleaning agents and boat paint.
• If you enjoy recreational fishing, obey regulations and try to enjoy only catch-and-release fishing. Use care when releasing fish back into the ocean. Take photos, not fish.
• Promote marine conservation in your school or through social activities. Many people are unaware that the ocean is in jeopardy. Take whatever opportunities you can to spread the word. Start a local marine conservation club to promote awareness.
• Refuse to patronize cruise lines that contaminate the ocean with excessive human waste, oils and other dumping.
• Don’t purchase items that exploit marine resources unnecessarily such as coral jewelry, “snake oil” supplements such as coral calcium and shark cartilage. Educate others that these products are ineffective and medically unsound. The nutrients these supplements allegedly provide are easily obtained from other food sources such as green leafy vegetables.