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 Wales and Northern Ireland. We're now working towards proper implementation of these Acts to ensure protection for the UK's marine wildlife and ecosystems, and manage the growing pressure of human activities. We are also working with retailers and the fish processing industry to ensure they obtain their wild-caught fish from sustainable sources.
Europe
We are seeking to influence two forms of EU legislation – the Common Fisheries Policy and the Marine Strategy Directive – which govern the way the seas are managed and exploited. These laws should to consider the needs of the whole marine ecosystem rather than focus on individual human activities such as fishing.
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.
Useful links
How you can help
Download
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
Cod can recover – if we control bycatch
Depleted North Sea cod stocks have been recovering recently, thanks to a particularly successful breeding season in 2005 and subsequent limits on catching those fish as they’ve grown. But the recovery is threatened by trawlers catching too many cod while fishing for other species. Steps must be taken to reduce cod catches further, to let stocks properly recover.
IWC must strengthen control of whaling
We’re extremely disappointed that negotiations at the 62nd International Whaling Commission meeting seem to have broken down without resolving key issues. But at least the current commercial whaling moratorium remains in place.
WWF on Gulf of Mexico oil disaster
Like you, we’re appalled by the huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – and deeply concerned about its effects on people and wildlife in the area. But as well as acknowledging the damage (which we’ll detail below), we want this to be a turning point. It's time for the world to move beyond old fossil fuel technology – away from dirty, dangerous oil extraction towards a cleaner, sustainable low-carbon future.