Human Connections | Smithsonian Ocean

View of water off a sailing vessel.

The colorful parrotfish sculpture is made entirely of ocean plastic trash.

Turning Ocean Trash to Treasure

The plastic we use in our everyday lives has a habit of finding its way into the ocean. One artist aims to change that.

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Featured Content

Two killer whales.

Article

How Drones in the Sky Unlock Secrets of the Sea

A wave curls near the shore.

Article

Shooting the Waves: Tips from a Surf Photographer

Walter Adey and the NMNH coral reef tank

Article

The Evolution of a Reef Aquarium

Black and white image of the Western Flyer boat at dock.

Article

Bringing the Western Flyer, and History, Back to Life

A dish of halibut

Article

America’s ever-changing relationship with seafood

Human Connections Articles

Screenshot from video "Deep Ocean Explorers" that shows view from below of submersible Alvin underwater.

Video

Deep Ocean Explorers

a woman's hands close a tin of sardines near a pile of empty cans

Article

Nimble Fingers: the Women Behind Maine’s Canneries

Alvin, a human occupied vehicle (HOV), returns to the ship after a dive.

Article

From Submarines to Robots: Exploring the Deep Ocean

Arrow crabs are small, spider-like crabs that live on coral reefs.(CLICK IMAGE TO OPEN SLIDESHOW WITH MORE WINNING PHOTOS FROM THE CONTEST)

Slideshow

Selections from the Brian Skerry Flickr Contest WInners

Midway Atoll, where these photos were taken, is more than 2,000 miles from the nearest land.

Slideshow

Laysan Albatrosses’ Plastic Problem

An opah at the Honolulu Fish Auction with a printed label attached that includes an ID number, bar code, the date, the receiver's ID number, the cart number, species name, vessel name, and weight of the fish.

Article

“Storied Fish”: Why Sustainable Seafood Requires A Tale

yarn artwork of coral

Video

Webcast: Stories from the Reef

The 2012 Indonesian Biodiversity Research Center dive class stand in a group together

Article

Scuba Diving Course a Success for IBRC Students

a deep-sea submersible

Video

Submersible Collects Deep-Sea Corals

A transparent box jellyfish with a blue background.

Audio

Box Jellyfish: One Species at a Time

A close up of a grey whale face

Slideshow

Nature's Best Photography 2018

A photo of a 2011 installation by artist Shih Chieh Huang, featuring his illuminated creations made from everyday objects.

Article

When Art Meets Science: Exhibition Inspired by Bioluminescence