Conservation

More than ever, the fate of the ocean is in our hands. Learn about different threats to the ocean and its organisms, successful conservation stories, and what you can do to help.

EDUCATOR RESOURCES

LATEST TODAY'S CATCH


					The Great Pacific Garbage Patch May 6, 2013 - 8:10AMThe “garbage patches,” as referred to in the media, are areas of marine debris concentration in the North Pacific Ocean, circulated by the North Pacific gyre. The gyre spreads across the Pacific Ocean from Japan to the western US...

Ocean Acidification with Dr. Francisco Chavez

Apr 30, 2013 - 9:29AM

Dr. Francisco Chavez of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute...

Investigating Nutrient Pollution's Impact on Mangroves

Apr 26, 2013 - 9:47AM

At Carrie Bow Cay in Belize, Dr. Candy Feller explains her research on the...

Teens Take Action on the Ocean & Climate Feb 8 2011 - 5:37pm What can students do to help the ocean? It turns out, a lot! These students from across the United States and Mexico are developing action plans on ocean and climate-related issues in their local communities. They’re getting advice from their teachers and experts at aquariums and marine research...	This Flu Season, Thank a Horseshoe Crab Nov 22 2010 - 11:23pm Fever. Aching muscles. Coughing. Sniffling. It’s flu season. Have you had your shot? If so, thank a horseshoe crab.
Sea Squirts Fouling an Oyster Cage Sep 1 2011 - 10:22am Invasive species can have a range of environmental and economic impacts. In this photo sea squirts foul an oyster cage. Scientists at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center's Marine Invasions Lab study the movement and effects of non-native species around the globe. One region they've been...	Cleaning an Oiled Pelican in Louisiana Jun 2 2010 - 9:25am Dr. Erica Miller of the Louisiana State Wildlife Response Team cleans oil form a pelican in Plaquemines Parish, LA. Wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico have been heavily impacted by an ongoing oil spill that began April 20, 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform exploded and sank.
Make Me Care About: Phragmites (Video) Mar 31 2011 - 1:41pm Dennis Whigham, a senior botanist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, makes his quick pitch for why you should care about the wetland plant Phragmites australis. A European strain of phragmites has established itself in wetlands along the East Coast of the United States.	Love Salmon? Listen Up. Dec 20 2010 - 6:25pm Salmon are one of the most widely loved varieties of seafood in the world. A ubiquitous alternative to meat and poultry, salmon wear a halo of healthfulness, as they are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. But many wild salmon stocks are dwindling, which means that unless otherwise specified,...
Scientist Collects Oil on the Gulf Coast Apr 20 2012 - 12:23pm A scientist, Chris Reddy from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, collects oil-laden "sand patties" on a Louisiana beach two years after the oil spill. Watch a video of Chris Reddy talking about the effects of oil spills on marshes.	The JASON Project Live from the Shedd Aquarium Jul 19 2011 - 1:58pm This week people representing federal, state, and local governments, academia, non-profits, and private industry are in Chicago for the biennial Coastal Zone Conference. This meeting will give more than 1,000 attendees the opportunity to discuss ocean issues, strategies, and solutions.
East Rennell, Solomon Islands Nov 4 2010 - 3:39pm The East Rennell site in the Solomon Islands was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The site contains one of the largest raised coral atolls in the world, with a marine area extending three nautical miles to sea. The strong climatic effects of frequent cyclones make the area a true...	NOAA and NMNH Sign Memo of Understanding Nov 12 2010 - 5:05pm A formal signing of a memo of understanding with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which continues and builds upon Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History partnership with them in ocean science research, marine research, climate literacy, outreach and...
Dancing for the Oceans May 25 2012 - 12:15pm If you were choreographing a dance about the ocean, how would you do it? Would you dart around like a lobster in a hurry? Dive like a dolphin? Float like a jellyfish?	Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve, France Nov 4 2010 - 3:17pm The Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve site in France was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983. The site's vegetation is an outstanding example of scrubland. Seagulls, cormorants, and sea eagles can be found here, while the clear waters, with their islets...
Reducing the Risk of Transporting Invasive Species Jul 5 2011 - 5:24pm When people sail the sea, marine organisms tag along. If carried long distances, these hitchhikers can invade and disrupt ecosystems far from their natural homes, pushing out the local species. Some invaders catch a ride by attaching themselves to the sides or bottoms of boats. But many more stow...	Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia Nov 4 2010 - 1:20pm The Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The park, located in the extreme western tip of Java on the Sunda shelf, includes the Ujung Kulon Peninsula and several offshore islands and encompasses the natural reserve of Krakatoa. In addition to its...
A Colorful Foram: Globigerinoides ruber Mar 19 2013 - 9:00am This foraminifer was collected as it floated about 3 meters below the surface off the coast of Puerto Rico. The central dark area is the shell surrounded by spines. The tiny yellow dots are symbiotic algae, which live in the protoplasm of the host organism. When the foraminifer dies, the...	Shark Fin Genetics Oct 18 2010 - 4:27pm Dr. Demian Chapman of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at New York’s Stony Brook University explains how DNA extraction from shark ﬁns can identify the species of shark and where the shark was born. DNA research is very important to shark conservation efforts because it provides...