Oceans & Coasts Impacts | Marine Conservation

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Threats and Impacts

Threats to Ocean Health

The world's oceans are heavily affected by human activities — and few ocean areas remain untouched.

Nathalie Zenny, Pedro Bank project manager, observes the shallow coral flats of Pedro Bank with survey teammate, Jamaica. © George F Warner

Although they span nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, 99 percent of the world's oceans are not protected. As vast as the oceans are, no part is unaffected by human activity.

Human Activity
Human Activity

A sign advertising lots for sale along the coast of the Gulf of California, Sea of Cortez in the Mexican state of Baja Califonria Sur near Cabo Pulmo. © Mark Godfrey

Coastal Development

Unrestricted coastal development is eating away at wetland and coastlines.

Harvest time at Franklin Demonstration Farm, Mackinaw River watershed, Illinois © Tim Lindenbaum

Pollution from the land

Pollution from the land is creating oxygen-deprived dead zones where plants and animals can’t survive.

A fisherman walks along the beach at Estero de Platano. Estero de Platano is a tiny fishing village that is located in the new marine reserve on the Galera-San Francisco Peninsula. Situated along the northwestern coast of Ecuador, the new Galera-San Francisco reserve protects coastline and near-shore waters, preserving the interaction between land and shore. © Ivan Kashinsky

Fishing

Destructive and unsustainable fishing practices are draining the ocean of marine life and with it the way of life of millions of fishermen around the world.

Melting ice floats away from a polar icecap. © Corbis

Climate Change

Climate change is creating warmer waters, higher sea levels and more acidic seas — threatening not only ocean life but our own well-being.

Fish ? The Nature Conservancy

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Fish ? The Nature Conservancy

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Fish ? The Nature Conservancy

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Future of Healthy Oceans

The next 10 years are a critical juncture for ocean health. If we don’t act now, we may not be able to reverse the damage. We risk losing not just the nature we love but the oxygen, food, medicines, jobs and other ocean resources we need.

The Nature Conservancy is working toward a future of healthy oceans that support plants, animals and people for generations. Our vision is one in which fish stocks are plentiful, coral reefs are strong and resilient to damage, coastal communities are protected from storms, oyster reefs are back from the brink and people can work, play and use oceans in sustainable ways.

We focus our work on offshore and coastal waters — the part of the ocean we use the most and where conservation can make the biggest difference. Coastal areas are the most productive, populated and most threatened part of the ocean. The fate of healthy oceans rests along the coasts.

Find out what you can do to help protect oceans.