What YOU can do
to help save our oceans!!
The problems facing the world's oceans can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, you don't have to be a superhero to help save the oceans. Doing your part can help protect the seas from overfishing and preserve the ocean ecosystem for the future. Try reducing your impact by following these suggestions:
- Get informed. Read about ocean issues. Find out which species are endangered and which are overfished. Learn about what you can do. Use the resources listed on this page to educate yourself
- See for yourself. You can visit the 14 Marine Sanctuaries across the United States and see what so many people are working to save! There are similar Marine Protected Areas around the world. Also, check out our page on Marine Protected Areas to see how these "Marine Parks" are helping the oceans worldwide and what still needs to be done.
- Tell your friends. Ideas spread best by word of mouth. Let your friends and family know that the oceans are in danger. Tell them which fish are best to eat and which ones to avoid. Public awareness is essential for protecting the oceans.
- Choose sustainable fish, such as wild Alaskan Salmon or farmed Tilapia. The Monterey Bay Aquarium publishes an excellent "Seafood Watch List" that describes which fisheries are sustainable. The "green" fish on the list have large and well-manged populations, and eating them will have less of a harmful impact on the oceans. A list of sustainable fish retailers in the world, as certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.
- Eat fewer fish. Consuming fewer fish is the easiest way to reduce your impact on the ocean. There are other more sustainable sources for the nutritional benefits of fish. For instance, Omega-3 fatty acids such as walnuts, flax seed oil, and fortified products, such as orange juice or pasta (Sandon, 2007).
- Have Pets? Buy them fish-free food! One-third of all fish caught is used for fishmeal or oils, which places an even greater burden on our oceans and the aquaculture industry (Ahmed et al., 2003). There are several alternatives on the market so that your pet can eat sustainably too! Try RottLover.com or Breeder's Choice.
- Reduce your carbon footprint. Turn off the lights. Turn down the thermostat. Use energy-efficient appliances. Decreasing your energy use is good for all areas of the environment and the oceans in particular. Creating a mindset of environmental friendliness is a key to helping the ocean problem.
- Read a book. David Helvarg's book, 50 Ways to Save the Ocean, is a great resource for you, your family, and your friends, with simple ideas for the everyday person trying to make a difference.
- Become an activist. Gather local support for healthier oceans. Use your group to volunteer at beach clean ups and to spread the word about overfishing. Volunteering with organizations like Oceans Alive, which is a branch of Environmental Defense, is a great way to get involved on a personal level. You can also receive e-letters from Greenpeace about ways you can get involved.
- Talk to restaurants. Ask them to only serve sustainable seafood. Reducing availability of unsustainable fish is a good way to reduce consumption. The Monterey Bay Aquarium publishes cards that you can send to restaurants that help them choose which seafood to serve.
- Donate. There are many groups that promote sustainable uses of the oceans. You can support groups such as Oceans Alive, an organization that promotes eating smart and preserving our oceans; Greenpeace: Defending Our Oceans; The Fish for the Future Foundation, which was "established to improve the scientific and economic understanding of U.S. marine fisheries management and the seafood industry"; and the Monterey Bay Aquarium to fund world-class research and education.
- Contact your representative. Let your local, state, and national elected officials know that you support sustainable fishing and efforts to pursue environmentally friendly ocean policy. With your support, congress can pass restrictions on harmful fishing techniques. And remember, the fish don't have a vote...you do.
- Contact the local media. Tell them that you want more coverage about overfishing and the oceans. Local stations run public interest segments---convince the station to run a piece about the fishing and ocean.
- Stay informed. Keep up with what is happening in the marine world. Staying up to date lets you know what issues are the most pressing and keeps you active in the fight to save the oceans.
Sites to Keep You Informed
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
- This site allows you to make smart choices when purchasing seafood: print out a pocket-size guide for your region of the U.S. The Aqaurium site also has information on conservation efforts and why sustainable fisheries are important.
- European Commission on Fisheries
- This EU site provides the facts about member states' fisheries as well as current policies of the Union. Watch videos, listen to speeches, and read press releases from one of the most progressive legislative bodies on the issue of the world fishery.
- Oceans and Law of the Sea
- All UN regulations, current and currently debated law can be found here.
- National Marine Fish Service
- Interested in what the U.S. government is doing to save the oceans? This NOAA site has all the latest developments, as well as the current plans underway to push the United States towards a sustainable fishery.
- Case Studies on World Fisheries
- View the basics about fisheries around the world: everything from fish consumption and trade to marine protected areas and aquaculture endeavors.
- Fish for the Future Foundation
- This NGO provides a forum for fishermen, officials, and everyday activists to discuss policy and the future of our oceans. Fish for the Future is also partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for their annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards.
- Greenpeace: Defending Our Oceans
- Ever wondered if pirates really exist? Or if your can of tuna could be threatening an entire ecosystem? Here you can learn all about the threats facing the oceans and the fishing industry.
- Greenpeace Forum: Louder Than Words
- Exchange your ideas about the environment with others!
- Oceans Alive
- Oceans Alive is an integrated resource for concerned advocates of our the site gives tips on how to reduce your impact and join the cause.
- Also, check out their list of The Best & Worst Seafood Choices.
- The Ad Council's Oceans Awareness Campaign
- The Ad Council has been trying to reach the American public and children through a series of PSAs featuring _The Little Mermaid_'s Ariel. The campaign has launched several commercials, as well as a site for children and their parents to learn more about what they can do to Keep the Oceans Clean.
- Blue Ocean Institute: Guide to Ocean Friendly Fish
- Learn what species of fish shouldn't be on the menu: here you can find an easy-to-use colorcoded list of fish that are swimming towards the endangered species list, as well as fish that have been found unsafe to consume.
- The WorldFish Center
- A non-profit organization geared towards ending global poverty and hunger, the WorldFish Center provides a wealth of information on current measures to save the fisheries worldwide.
- Ocean Legacy
- Take the Pledge to Conserve the Oceans! You can become an ocean's activist and learn the facts about overfishing.
- The Pew Oceans Commission
- The Commission released a report in 2003 with recommendations for how the U.S. Government could manage America's marine environment. You can also register for email updates on the Pew Commission's findings.
- No Fish In My Dish!
- "My idea is simple, even childish, but for five days a week say, 'No fish in my dish!' The fish will have time to have babies and then, slowly the oceans will fill up again."
Interactive Sites for Everyone
- Sea Life
- Sea Life is a great site for kids: complete with games that let you build your own aquarium and test your fish knowledge; resources for teachers to plan trips to these European aquariums and sanctuaries; and updates on the Save Our Seas program.
- Blue Planet "Seas of Life" Quiz
- Put your new ocean knowledge to the test! The Discovery Channel's series Blue Planet explores the depths of the most mysterious regions on earth.
- Keep Oceans Clean! Game
- A fun game for kids of all ages
- Oceans Alive
- Take an underwater knowledge quiz or view a slideshow of breathtaking marine scenes!
- The Fishing Game
- Understanding concepts behind Tragedy of the Commons and overfishing through a role-playing simulation.