Shark finning is a brutal, wasteful practice where fins are removed at sea and the shark is discarded, leading to its slow death. Driven by global demand for shark fin soup, this practice contributes significantly to the decline of shark populations worldwide, threatening nearly a quarter of all shark species with extinction.

While shark finning is illegal in U.S. waters, the sale and possession of fins are not. Banning these would prevent the U.S. from participating in the global fin trade, establishing the nation as a leader in protecting these vital ocean creatures. Congress must act to end the buying and selling of shark fins in the United States. Learn more at oceana.org/FinBanNow.

Music by Adam Lindquist.

On World Sea Turtle Day, Lilimar, Oceana, One More Generation, and children nationwide delivered over 12,500 letters and drawings to the White House. These messages urged President Obama and Secretary Penny Pritzker to protect threatened and endangered sea turtles in U.S. waters.

Representing all 50 states, the letters called for a simple solution: mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp nets. These metal grates allow sea turtles and other marine life to escape, preventing their capture by shrimp trawls in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

Implementing TEDs would save thousands of sea turtles, reduce seafood waste, and create new markets for U.S. shrimpers.

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

Clownfish are fascinating marine creatures, known for their vibrant colors and unique symbiotic relationship with anemones. How much do you truly know about these captivating fish?

Expand your knowledge and discover more by visiting this resource: Learn About Clownfish

There are seven species of sea turtles, with green turtles living up to 80 years.

Discover more fascinating turtle facts on our website.

Julia Butterfly Hill lived for over two years in a 2000-year-old redwood in Northern California, protecting it from a logging company's chainsaws.

During her first winter, a severe storm nearly killed her on her tiny perch. Julia recounts the horror and profound life lessons learned from those terrifying hours.

Join our mission to tackle excessive plastic use by supermarkets. We need your ideas to demand change.

Download the app at http://www.anewmission.org/join-the-revolution to contribute to this movement.

Thanks to @MakeAChangeWorld and @AnewMission. #DrasticPlastic

The Trump administration has opened nearly all U.S. waters to offshore oil drilling, a move met with strong opposition from coastal communities. Washington must heed these concerns.

For more information on grassroots opposition to offshore drilling, visit Oceana.org.

Music by Adam Lindquist.

The Trump administration has announced plans to open our oceans to offshore drilling.

These radical proposals pose a significant threat to our coastal environments.

Contact Secretary Zinke and urge him to #ProtectOurCoast.

While shark finning is illegal in U.S. waters, shark fins—including imports from countries where it's permitted—continue to be bought and sold across the U.S. This demand is a primary threat to global shark populations.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.oceana.org/SaveSharks.

While shark finning is illegal in U.S. waters, shark fins—including imports from countries where finning is allowed—continue to be bought and sold throughout the U.S. This demand for fins represents one of the greatest threats to shark populations worldwide.

For additional information about the campaign, please visit www.oceana.org/SaveSharks.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act, our vital fisheries management law, faces a significant threat. Certain members of Congress seek changes that could lead to the overexploitation of our oceans for short-term gain.

Urge lawmakers to protect and uphold the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) has long protected U.S. fisheries, but congressional efforts now threaten to weaken it. Divers are urged to defend the MSA.

Support the MSA by adding your name today.

Music by Spearfisher on Facebook.

For 45 years, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) has provided vital protections for dolphins, whales, and seals in U.S. waters.

Unfortunately, a new congressional bill threatens these safeguards. It would facilitate harmful activities like seismic airgun blasting—a loud, dangerous process used for oil and gas exploration—making it easier to injure these iconic animals.

Tell Congress to #DefendMarineMammals and #StandForOceans. Learn more and take action: http://bit.ly/2yEtHRe

Thousands of sea turtles die annually because about half of shrimp trawls operate without Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). These devices are 97% effective at allowing turtles to escape nets. A proposed rule from December 2016 would expand TED requirements, but the administration has stalled its implementation, allowing the killing to continue.

This delay jeopardizes sea turtle conservation and negatively impacts shrimp fishermen by hindering sustainability and economic opportunities. We must act now to urge Secretary Ross to implement this vital rule.

Click here to take action: Oceana Action

The U.S. Pacific coast seafloor teems with vital marine life, providing essential habitat for fish and other animals. However, these beautiful coral gardens and spongebeds face destruction from bottom trawl nets. Stronger government protections are crucial to safeguard this precious ecosystem.

To learn how you can help stop this destructive practice, visit Oceana.org.

Music by Adam Lindquist: fa-da-do.com.

For 20 years, Amazon Watch has defended indigenous peoples' rights and territories, recognizing them as the best guardians of rainforests. These lands, holding 80% of global biodiversity, face constant threats from extractive industries like oil, agribusiness, and mega-dams.

We partner with indigenous allies to establish industrial "No Go Zones," supporting initiatives like Sarayaku's Kawsak Sacha (Living Forests) to keep oil in the ground. Our aim is to expand this model, protecting vital areas such as Yasuní National Park and the Xingu and Tapajós rivers from industrial development.

We also conduct international market campaigns, including our Amazon Crude Campaign, to reduce demand for rainforest-destroying oil. We expose and pressure governments, corporations, and financiers causing harm. Learn more and join the movement at amazonwatch.org.

Oceana Shark Scientist and Blogger Mariah Pfleger discusses philopatry in Bimini. Philopatry refers to the instinct of animals returning to their place of birth.

Music for this segment is by Patrick Mustain. Learn more at patrickmustain.com.

Before 2015, the Tañon seascape suffered from limited protections, drastically reducing fish populations and threatening its once vibrant ecosystem.

Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies' Vibrant Oceans Initiative collaborates with community members and political leaders to secure the future of these vital fisheries.

Up to 73 million shark fins enter the global trade annually. This devastating practice must end. Urge Congress to pass the Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act and support a #FinBanNow.

Learn more about this critical issue here. Music for this message is provided by Adam Lindquist fa-da-do.com.

Actor Josh Jackson highlights the critical connection between ocean health and human well-being. He emphasizes that restoring our oceans not only feeds hungry people but also supports vibrant ecosystems, underscoring our global interconnectedness.

Jackson's video PSA, filmed on San Juan Island in Washington's Salish Sea, promotes Oceana's "Save the Oceans, Feed the World" campaign.

Join Oceana and Josh Jackson's mission to restore the oceans: http://bit.ly/2jNfNV6