Addressing plastic pollution requires more than solutions like recycling, bioplastics, or compostable straws. These methods do not tackle the fundamental problem.

The only effective approach is to confront the root cause: halting the production of new plastic. This is the essential step for a lasting solution.

Emperor penguins are foraging predators, feeding on fish, squid, and krill in Antarctica's cold currents. Discover more in our Marine Life Encyclopedia.

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Christmas tree worms hide from predators within corals. Discover more about marine life in our [Marine Life Encyclopedia](https://www.oceana.org/marine-life).

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Decorator crabs are opportunistic, camouflaging themselves by attaching items like seaweed, coral, rocks, or small animals to hooked bristles on their shells. They select these materials from their immediate habitat.

Discover more about marine life in our Encyclopedia: Marine Life Encyclopedia.

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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation to ban the domestic shark fin trade. This action addresses shark finning, a cruel practice where fins are removed at sea and the shark's body is discarded. While finning is illegal in U.S. waters, fins are still traded, often imported from countries with inadequate protections.

The global shark fin trade is a primary driver of declining shark populations worldwide, impacting an estimated 73 million sharks annually. This unsustainable demand has led to over 90% declines in some populations, threatening one-third of species in major trade hubs with extinction. The U.S. ban aims to mitigate this devastating impact.

Music by Adam Lindquist.

NOAA Fisheries has finalized regulations protecting over 140,000 square miles of U.S. West Coast seafloor from destructive bottom trawling. These safeguards, effective January 1, 2020, cover vital habitats like corals, sponges, and rocky reefs, crucial for marine life and ocean ecosystems.

This action follows a 2018 vote by the Pacific Fishery Management Council, spurred by scientific input and advocacy from Oceana. The new rules will more than double existing protections, making 90 percent of the West Coast seafloor off-limits to bottom trawling.

Music: Alex Arcoleo via Audio Network

The Fried Egg Jellyfish, also known as Egg-Yolk Jellies, earns its name from its distinctive appearance. Its translucent bell features an elevated yolk-yellow center, resembling a cracked egg floating in water. Discover more in our [Marine Life Encyclopedia](http://bit.ly/32JnAp9).

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Deep-sea footage from Nautilus Live shows marine life scavenging a baleen whale carcass. Explore more about marine life in our Encyclopedia: http://bit.ly/2oc1zBb.

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Sea turtles and other marine life are threatened by the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (PFMC) consideration of permits for destructive pelagic longlines. This deadly fishing gear, capable of stretching 60 miles with thousands of hooks, was banned on the West Coast for decades due to its proven harm to air-breathing animals. Reintroducing such reckless and wasteful practices is irresponsible.

Urge the PFMC to reject West Coast pelagic longline permits and protect vulnerable marine species. Take action now: http://bit.ly/31ph3zg

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Throwaway plastics are devastating our oceans. Join Oceana's movement to reduce plastic pollution at its source, saving marine life. Your help enables our plastic-free victories.

Ready to #BreakFreeFromPlastic? [Learn more here](http://bit.ly/32POrQV).

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On August 14, 2019, Pakistan celebrated two independence days: its 72nd national freedom and the launch of a ban on single-use plastic bags. This initiative began with Islamabad's pilot project, making Pakistan one of 129 countries combating plastic pollution.

The World Bank is committed to Pakistan's environmental sustainability. Demonstrating this, the World Bank's Islamabad campus has operated free of single-use plastic for the past year, aligning with its pledge to "walk the talk."

Researchers discovered an Iridigorgia Soft Coral at 5,450 feet deep within the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Footage was provided by Nautilus Live.

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Mangroves are flowering trees found along tropical coastlines, rooted in salty, often submerged sediments. While their upper trunks, branches, and leaves live above the waterline, their lower trunks and extensive prop roots are frequently covered by seawater.

Learn more in our Marine Life Encyclopedia.

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Pygmy seahorses are masters of disguise. Extremely small and poor swimmers, they rely on camouflage for survival.

Help protect these unique animals by joining Oceana: [https://bit.ly/2kIqs5y](https://bit.ly/2kIqs5y)

Sea turtles frequently mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, and ingesting them is often fatal. This plastic pollution poses a deadly threat to marine life.

To protect these creatures, we must #BreakFreeFromPlastic by significantly reducing plastic production. It's time for collective action.

Support Oceana's efforts and take the pledge here: https://bit.ly/2m4aMKe

Parrotfish species produce a mucus cocoon for protection against parasites while they sleep. This defensive barrier can take up to an hour to create for a single night's rest.

To learn more about parrotfish, explore Oceana's Marine Life encyclopedia: Oceana Marine Life Encyclopedia.

North Atlantic right whales, decimated by whaling until 1935, now face extinction. Only about 400 remain, with fewer than 100 breeding females, primarily threatened by commercial shipping and fishing.

To reverse this decline, these whales require protection from fishing gear entanglements and ship strikes. Key solutions include reducing vertical fishing lines and mandating slower ship speeds.

Music by Adam Lindquist: http://adamlindquist.com/

North Atlantic right whales, once decimated by whaling, now face extinction with only about 400 remaining, including fewer than 100 breeding females. Commercial shipping and fishing pose the primary threats.

To reverse this decline, urgent protection from fishing gear entanglements and ship strikes is essential. Reducing vertical lines from fishing gear and mandating slower ship speeds are critical steps.

Music by Adam Lindquist: http://adamlindquist.com/

North Atlantic right whale populations first crashed due to whaling, banned in 1935. Now, the species faces extinction, primarily from commercial shipping and fishing threats.

With only about 400 whales remaining, including fewer than 100 breeding females, urgent protection is vital. Reducing vertical fishing lines and requiring ships to slow down are crucial steps to prevent entanglements and ship strikes, helping to reverse their decline.

Climate change is making our oceans more acidic, threatening most marine animals. Conversely, jellyfish thrive in warmer waters, posing a risk of ocean takeover if climate change remains unchecked.

Help protect our oceans. Join Oceana: https://bit.ly/2kA7bTV