Oceans

Our oceans cover over 70% of our planet but yet we know more about the surface of the moon than the ocean floor.

Our Blue Planet

The reason our planet looks blue from space is because so much of it is ocean.

There are so many reasons why we need to keep our oceans healthy. As well as being home to amazing wildlife, our oceans provide food for billions of people and income for millions.

There’s more. The worlds oceans produce over half of global oxygen production, (thanks to phytoplankton, tiny single-celled ocean plants). Not to mention absorbing half of all man-made climate-warming carbon dioxide.

But things are not going swimmingly at sea. Latest figures show a dramatic decline in ocean health. The total amount of vertebrate sea life (including fish) has reduced by more than a third since 1970!

We already know the causes – our seas are overused and under-protected. Although we have solutions, the challenge is getting everyone on board and and agreeing a way forward to address the key challenges affecting our oceans.

We’re working with government decision-makers, industries, communities and consumers to give our seas a healthier future. We’re excited about the potential of a growing ‘blue economy’ – but this needs strong commitment from all those involved in managing and using our oceans. We need to change our oceans status to climate hero not victim. The more we reduce the impact of damaging activities the ocean can continue buffering the global impacts of climate change while we make deep and rapid cuts in fossil fuel emissions to not only save the ocean but the entire planet

Ocean environments we're working in

Why UK seas and coasts are important

The UK seas are home to a great variety of animals. They're also vital for our growing renewable energy sector.

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The icy waters of the Arctic of the north pole

The icy waters of the Arctic of the north pole, home to polar bears and around four million people, are melting. Everyone will feel the repercussions.

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Antarctica: a massive frozen landmass

Antarctica is the world's driest, windiest, and coldest continent, with a record low temperature of -94 degrees celsius.

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Where we work: the island nation Fiji

Fiji is an island nation located in the south Pacific and is made up of over 330 islands, of which around 110 are permanently inhabited.

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Challenges to oceans

Plastic pollution

Plastic is choking our oceans. An estimated eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the sea every year, killing and harming marine life. It can be accidentally eaten - turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and seabirds’ stomachs can become full of plastic waste, stopping them getting the essential nutrients they need. Very small fragments of plastic are also found in our oceans and are making their way into our food and water. These ‘microplastics’ are pieces smaller than 5 mm and can come from cosmetic and cleaning products, tyres wearing down on roads, washing synthetic materials, and larger pieces of plastic debris breaking down. All types of microplastic can be easily ingested by animals such as plankton, which pass the problem up the food chain. Coral reefs are also suffering from plastic pollution. By getting lodged in the coral, plastic has been shown to affect coral health, which in turns affects all the many animals dependent on coral reefs. We’re working on ways to reduce the plastic that ends up in our seas, but there are things we can all do to help by cutting down our own plastic usage.
Ocean management

We need a well-planned, holistic approach to managing the world’s overcrowded oceans, to avoid further damage and user conflicts. Only around 4% of the world’s seas have official, legal protection (compared to around 16% of the land). Most of our oceans aren’t well managed – particularly in places where resources and capacity to manage, monitor and enforce regulations are limited. We want to see effective ocean management everywhere, and at least 30% of the planet’s oceans officially protected by 2030 (which governments around the world have already committed to).
Unsustainable fishing, seafood production and consumption

Fish and other seafood are potentially a great renewable resource. But they need to be carefully managed to make sure fish stocks aren’t over-exploited and seafood farms don’t pollute the environment.
In the UK alone we consume £5.7 billion worth of fish and seafood products every year, which we import from more than 85 countries.
Nearly a third of all monitored global fish stocks are overfished, and over 60% are fished to the maximum sustainable yield. Illegal and unregulated fishing is a huge problem too. And millions of non-target sea creatures (such as dolphins) are accidentally killed each year as ‘bycatch’ – caught unintentionally in fishing gear.
The decline of our sealife and ocean health isn’t just a problem for our oceans, it also affects those who rely on the sea for food or income. The impact isn’t just on fishing and coastal communities, there are wider implications for global food security too.
We’re at the forefront of promoting sustainable fishing practices and where available, encouraging everyone to buy certified sustainable seafood. Together we can make a big difference to the health and sustainability of wild fish stocks and seafood farms (aquaculture).
Oil, gas and energy production

Almost a third of the world’s oil and gas comes from under the sea – from the tropics to the Arctic. Testing, drilling, oil spills all take their toll on ocean wildlife. And new technologies make remote and deep-sea drilling and mining more of a possibility, and a risk. Even the green, renewable forms of power like wind and wave energy, which are better for the environment in general, have to be carefully sited and managed to avoid damage to sealife. We’re working with industry and decision-makers to reduce the risks from energy production at sea.
Shipping

Ocean traffic has tripled in the past 20 years, and is increasing fast. Around 90% of goods are shipped by sea, and shipping lanes around the UK are some of the world’s busiest. As well as the danger of collisions and disturbance of sealife, there’s the pollution. Not to mention toxic paints used on ships, and 'invasive species' transported around the world. We’re founding members of the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, working with the shipping industry to help steer it towards a low-carbon, sustainable future.
Climate change

Oceans absorb significant amounts of human induced heat, ice melt should be Arctic and Antarctic. Impacting coral reefs, causing species to migrate and exasperating impacts of other threats such as pollution. Extra CO2 not carbon more acidic.

More about climate change

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Wildlife that live in oceans

From tiny plankton and shrimps to giant squid and blue whales – there’s an abundance of wildlife in our oceans.

© Solvin Zankl

Marine turtles
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© naturepl.com / WWF- Canon

Seals
© 2006 Florian Schulz

Whales
Whale sharks
© Chris Fallows

Dolphins
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How we're helping oceans

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Valuing Belize’s barrier reef

The beauty and diversity of Belize’s coastal ecosystems draw tourists from around the globe. Find out more
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Working with Scottish government and parliament

We're working for positive change in Scotland by influencing the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. Find out more
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Reducing global greenhouse emissions

Climate change is a global issue. Hence, we are working internationally to influence governments to reduce our global greenhouse gas emissions. Find out more
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Charting a future for the Arctic’s Last Ice Area

One of the most visible signs of climate change is the disappearance of Arctic sea ice. Find out more
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Learn about the aquaculture food production system

Aquaculture is the farming of seafood including fish, shrimps, seaweed and molluscs. Learn more about this fast-growing food production system here. Find out more
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Working on seafood: The Blue Food

Seafood accounts for around 17% of animal protein consumption globally. Learn more about why WWF works on seafood. Find out more
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Transforming the Future of Tuna

Learn why we need tuna and how we can safeguard tuna for a healthy ocean. Find out more
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Learn about the mighty tuna fish

Learn about the mighty tuna and the international fishing that impacts them. Find out more
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Learn More About Seafood

Resources to help you learn more about seafood and the role it can play in the fight for our world. Find out more
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Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

Learn about the problems of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and the work we are doing to combat it. Find out more
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The UK SEAS project: protecting and managing our seas

The UK SEAS project works to develop the right protection and management for our seas. Find out more
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Seafood top tips: making responsible seafood choices

Here are our top tips on how to make environmentally responsible seafood choices. Find out more
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Restoration Forth

Restoration Forth is a major marine restoration project to restore seagrass meadows and European flat oysters in the Firth of Forth. Find out more
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Satellite tagging hawksbill turtles

In early 2025, we undertook a month-long expedition, alongside volunteers from the local community, to satellite tag 10 critically endangered hawksbill turtles. Find out more
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Helping Scottish Kelp

WWF-UK are supporting Kelp Crofters, a local run start-up on the Isle of Skye. Find out more