Oceans
The oceans, seas and coasts are under severe strain. Some 250 million people earn their living from fishing, up to 70% of humans rely on fish as their primary source of protein, and more than 90% of our trade is carried by shipping – and yet, less than 1% of the world’s seas are protected.
The results of such pressures have been devastating:
- three-quarters of all major global fish stocks are now fished at or beyond sustainable limits
- every year millions of tonnes of bycatch, including 300,000 mammals, are caught accidentally
- some 10% of coral reefs may now be damaged beyond recovery
- in England and Wales, 75% of our salt marshes – an important home for wildlife, and a useful barrier against severe weather – have been lost.
WWF works with the fishing industry and other businesses, as well as government and local communities – in the UK, EU and globally – to safeguard marine wildlife, the natural environment and the livelihoods of people who depend on the oceans for their well-being.
UK
WWF's 10-year campaign for a UK Marine and Coastal Access Act had a successful result in 2009, with a Scottish Marine Act following in 2010 and emerging legislation in
Europe
Arctic
The Arctic faces serious pressures from the impacts of climate change and potentially damaging human activities including illegal fishing, oil and gas development, and shipping. We are working to protect key habitats, close sensitive areas to the oil and gas industry, and ensure fishing is managed sustainably.
Antarctic
Climate change, pirate fishing and marine pollution are just some of the threats facing Antarctica, the surrounding Southern Ocean and the many millions of creatures who live there. We are trying to safeguard the region in a number of ways – including the creation of a 2,000,000 sq km network of protected areas in the Southern Ocean.
South Pacific
More than half the world’s coral reef species can be found in an area called the Coral Triangle which the South Pacific is part of. We want to protect the spectacular biodiversity of the marine environment and provide sustainable benefits for coastal communities.
Meso-American Reef
We are seeking to safeguard coastal communities and coral reefs in this region from the effects of climate change. Declining or depleted fisheries, habitat degradation or loss, and declining water quality are among our main concerns.
Western Indian Ocean
We are working with governments and coastal communities to secure a healthy marine environment in some 4,600 sq km of East African coastal waters. The open waters, coral reefs, mud flats, rocky shores, seagrass beds and mangrove forests support a rich variety of marine life that need urgent protection.
How you can help
Download
Marine Update 63 – Developing networks of MPAS
Mobilising the Marine Act
Marine Update 62
Marine Health Check Update 2009
Case studies
The North Channel
The Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel
The Solway Firth
Latest news
Progress in Ireland's Marine Policy
Our Ocean Wealth - Towards an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland
Environment minister Richard Benyon on western gray whales
Richard Benyon, UK minister for the natural environment and fisheries, has backed our call to help protect the critically endangered western gray whale. There may be fewer than 130 of them left, and maybe only 26 breeding females. The whales' key summer feeding habitat is off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East - unfortunately the site chosen for one of the world’s biggest offshore oil and gas developments.
WWF Annual Review 2011 - a very memorable year
Don’t miss our attention-grabbing review of 2011 - a special and exciting year for WWF, being our 50th anniversary. It's online now...
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