Overfishing: What is Bycatch?
February 16, 2018
Bycatch is the capture of non-target species such as dolphins, whales, marine turtles, fish, and seabirds by commercial fishing. Thousands of miles of nets and lines are set in the world’s oceans each day. Modern fishing gear, often undetectable by sight and extremely strong, is very efficient at catching the desired fish species—as well as…
Read More »Overfishing and Coral Reefs
January 19, 2018
Coral reef ecosystems support important commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishery resources around the world. Fishing also plays a central social and cultural role in many island and coastal communities, where it is often a critical source of food and income. The impacts from unsustainable fishing on coral reef areas can lead to the depletion of…
Read More »Ocean Issues: Overfishing
December 17, 2017
Billions of people rely on fish for protein, and fishing is the principal livelihood for millions of people around the world. For centuries, our seas and oceans have been considered a limitless bounty of food. However, increasing fishing efforts over the last 50 years as well as unsustainable fishing practices are pushing many fish stocks…
Read More »Land-Based Pollution in our Oceans and How You Can Help
November 16, 2017
Many serious coral reef ecosystem stressors originate from land-based sources, most notably toxins, sediments, and nutrients. These pollutants drain from our streams and rivers and eventually drain to our oceans. The source of these pollutants often comes from hundreds of miles away inland. So even if you don’t live near the ocean your actions directly affect coral reefs!
Climate Change and Coral Reefs
October 20, 2017
Climate change is an existential threat to coral reefs. Climate Change = Ocean Change. Warming Oceans = Coral Bleaching Sea Level Rise = Smothering of Coral Changes in Storm Patterns = Destruction of Reef Structure Changes in Precipitation = Algal Blooms and Reduced Light Altered Ocean Currents = Lack of Food and Dispersal of Larvae…
Read More »What is Coral Bleaching?
September 18, 2017
When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. 
How can I help fight coral bleaching? Help reduce pollution: Fossil fuel emissions from cars and industry raise lead to ocean…
5 Amazing Facts About Coral Reefs
August 11, 2017
Known as “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean but are home to almost 25% of all known marine species! Corals are in fact animals, not plants. Coral reefs are the largest structures on earth of biological origin. Coral reefs are naturally colorful because of algae, which lives inside of the coral,…
Read More »Ten Ways You Can Protect Coral Reefs
July 17, 2017
Coral reefs are under severe stress and threat from climate change. However, there are everyday things you can do to help! 
What is a Marine Protected Area (MPA)?
June 15, 2017
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are marine waters set aside to protect or conserve marine life, and its associated habitat. MPAs have varying levels of protections and allowed uses, from “no-take” zones to those that allow some forms of fishing. Just as parks on land protect wildlife and habitat from overdevelopment and hunting, these underwater parks…
Read More »The 5 Best Ideas For Stopping the Lionfish Invasion
May 17, 2017
Thirty years after their accidental introduction, the venomous lionfish has conquered the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico wreaking havoc on ecosystems up and down the coast. Unlike in its native Pacific habitats, there are few natural predators here to keep this invasive species in check. So the lionfish has expanded voraciously, gobbling…
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