The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Seagulls © Ami Vitale

While oceans span nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, 99 percent is not protected. And as human populations increase, the demands on the ocean’s resources and the ways that we use oceans and coasts is increasing.

Energy development, aquaculture pens, commercial fishing, diverse recreational uses and shipping lanes are all competing for space in our oceans.

Whales, sea turtles, sea birds, fish and the habitats they need for survival also require places in this increasingly crowded marine environment. One billion people depend on fish and seafood as their primary source of protein and millions are employed by the ocean.

As our coasts and waters become more crowded we need to find better ways to manage our oceans by improving planning and working with governments and communities to increase marine protected areas around the globe. We need to balance human use with nature’s needs in order to ensure that oceans are healthy for the future and people can work, play and use oceans in sustainable ways.

The Nature Conservancy is improving ocean protection and management by:

• Increasing the number and improving the management of networks of marine protected areas. By protecting an area, or limiting certain uses, fish stocks can recover, coral reefs can rebuild and the overall health of an ocean space, as well as surrounding spaces, can improve, ensuring that people can sustainably use and enjoy a marine place for the long-term.
• Acquiring land and resources beneath the water to better protect marine areas. We use this approach to help manage specific areas, harvesting methods, and access to resources while gaining a seat at the table with governments and communities responsible for decision-making.
• Leading more coordinated planning in using oceans. Marine spatial planning is a decision-making process that creates a blueprint for ocean use and conservation, minimizing conflicts among ocean uses and maintaining healthy marine habitats.