The ocean, our life support system, is facing a hidden crisis. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens marine life, human rights, and food security. This illicit activity accounts for nearly one-fifth of all seafood, worth up to $23.5 billion annually, while 90% of fish stocks are already overexploited or fished to their limit.

We have solutions to scale transparency at sea. The Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency offers real, simple, and affordable ways to bring accountability. We urge governments to urgently implement this charter to deliver the transparency needed for a healthy ocean. Learn more: https://fisheriestransparency.net/

Whales, often called gentle giants, play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our oceans and the entire planet. Their significant contributions are essential for marine ecosystems.

To protect these magnificent creatures and all other marine animals, it's vital to support NOAA. This U.S. federal agency is dedicated to ensuring their safety and well-being. Speak up for marine life by defending NOAA: https://oceana.ly/4dyLVUD.

Addressing plastic pollution necessitates distinguishing between two fundamental challenges. The first is the inherent problem of plastic production itself, encompassing its scale and the materials utilized.

The second, separate challenge involves the effective management of plastic waste once it has been created and discarded. Recognizing these distinct issues is crucial for developing targeted and comprehensive solutions.

Oceana's new report reveals a concerning projection: The Coca-Cola Company's plastic use is set to exceed 9.1 billion pounds annually by 2030 if current practices remain unchanged.

This highlights an urgent need for Coca-Cola to implement significant changes and address its escalating plastic problem immediately.

Oceana's expedition research with Blancpain has unveiled significant findings about marine biodiversity off Southern California.

The discoveries exceeded expectations, revealing a world of secrets within the ocean's depths.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) comprises two limbs. Its upper limb transports warm, tropical waters northward, releasing heat influencing European weather. The lower limb carries cold, dense waters southward at depth.

Driven by solar radiation, the AMOC's upper limb features vigorous currents like the Gulf Stream, flowing north along the Atlantic's western boundary. These currents, forming eddies, carry heat towards higher latitudes, reaching the Nordic Seas to cool and densify.

In regions like the Labrador Sea, these cooled, dense waters plunge via convection to 1000-2000m. This forms the Deep Western Boundary Current, the AMOC's lower limb, flowing slowly southward along the continental slope. Further south, this deep flow is disrupted by topography and eddies, losing its structure.

The Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, a 2024 Earthshot Prize Finalist, protects 35 million hectares of forest across 30 Indigenous nations in Peru and Ecuador. Led by Uyunkar Domingo Peas, it champions planetary rights and highlights Indigenous peoples' vital conservation role.

Inspired by "moonshots," Prince William launched The Earthshot Prize to inspire a decade of planetary repair. It celebrates human ingenuity, proving environmental challenges can be overcome.

Watch The Earthshot Report on BBC iPlayer or PBS. More at earthshotprize.org; follow on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Dr. Akira Miyawaki proposes a disaster prevention plan to create authentic, self-sustaining tide embankment forests using native trees. These forests are designed to survive strong tsunamis and protect lives, contrasting with less effective man-made forests. A video explains this concept through interviews and animations, demonstrating the superior protection offered by native species. The initiative has inspired many volunteers, including Venerable Hioki from Rinnoji Temple, who believes these principles align with Buddhist teachings.

Venerable Hioki, the 44th Abbot of Rinnoji Soto Zen Temple and Association Chairman, was deeply moved by Dr. Miyawaki's proposal. He has since led local residents in planting over 33,000 native trees of more than 50 species around Rinnoji Temple. Committed to global education, he teaches children and adults worldwide about the vital importance of forests through media and public appearances.

The Miyawaki method, pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, is an accelerated afforestation technique. It creates dense urban forests in 20-30 years, significantly faster than conventional methods. By planting diverse native species closely, plants grow upwards, resulting in a forest that is 30 times denser, grows 10 times faster, and becomes maintenance-free within three years.

To implement this method, select a site at least 4 by 3 meters that receives a minimum of eight hours of daily sunlight. The process involves soil preparation, purchasing native plant species, forest design, plantation, tying plants to support sticks, and initial watering and monitoring.

Oceana, alongside actor Sam Waterston, invites you to champion our oceans.

Join them in taking action against the urgent plastic pollution crisis.

Can you identify the various ocean fish species presented?

Your expertise is requested to accurately name and categorize these marine creatures.

Identify the group to which each animal belongs.

Welcome to our identification quiz.

Test your knowledge: how many ocean animals can you recognize solely by their eyes?

Thanks to your invaluable support, Oceana secured significant victories for our oceans throughout 2024.

Your dedication as "Wavemakers" was absolutely critical in making these achievements possible.

Join us as we reflect on the collective impact we made this year.

Deep in the ocean, a variety of marine creatures are preparing for a substantial feast.

Driven by instinct, they await the perfect moment to satisfy their hunger with a significant meal.

Among various marine creatures often referred to as "jellys," a common misconception exists.

Can you identify which one, despite its appearance, is not truly a jellyfish?

Meet the "vampires" of the ocean! This intriguing moniker often refers to ancient, jawless fish like the lamprey, known for their unique and sometimes unsettling feeding habits.

These creatures attach themselves to other marine life, using their specialized mouths and sharp teeth to feed on blood and bodily fluids. Despite their parasitic nature, they hold a distinct and important place within aquatic ecosystems.

You wouldn't want to be a male anglerfish! Their existence is one of the most extreme examples of sexual parasitism in the animal kingdom.

Upon finding a female, the tiny male anglerfish bites into her, permanently fusing his body to hers. His circulatory system merges with hers, and he gradually degenerates, losing his eyes, fins, and most internal organs. He becomes little more than a sperm-producing appendage, sustained by the female, with his sole purpose being to fertilize her eggs when needed. It's a bizarre and ultimate sacrifice for reproduction.

Spooky season's festive spirit isn't confined to land. Its playful reach extends far beyond our shores.

Even the vast ocean embraces the Halloween fun, with its mysterious depths and unique, sometimes eerie, creatures.

From coastal waters to the deep blue, it seems everyone, and everything, gets into the spirit. p>

Moon jellies inhabit all oceans except the Arctic.

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