Sargassum

Sargassum is highly dynamic and continuously circulates between the Sargasso Sea, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Stream. The floating sargassum vegetation creates a unique habitat for ocean life. Learn more.

A woman is holding a sargassum plant in each hand.

MPAs: Our Best Chance to Save Coral Reefs

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are vital in saving global coral reef populations — and yet, they aren’t completely enough. Read more about the importance of MPAs.

Female diver pokes her head around pink coral formation

Protecting Hawai‘i’s Fishes

CHARLES DARWIN’S FIVE WEEKS IN THE GALÁPAGOS Islands were crucial to the development of his theory of evolution, likely due to the Galápagos having the world’s second-highest proportion of endemic species. What if Darwin had instead visited the islands with the world’s highest rate of endemism?

National Geographic’s Pristine Seas

Read one diver’s journey into exploring remote ocean habits in an attempt to help protect them. National Geographic teamed up on this endeavor to explore, survey and protect wild seas.

Freediver holds camera and swims through jellies

To Eat or Not To Eat Fish

SEAFOOD HAS LONG BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART of the human diet, and some people consider it to be an inexhaustible food source. Fish-finding sonar, satellite locating systems, 100-mile-plus longlines with […]

Oceans of Plastic

Plastic debris damages local environments and wildlife. It’s a serious, solvable problem. Learn more about the plastic problem and what you could do about it.

Discarded plastics float in water

Blame the Ballast

MARITIME TRANSPORT HAS MORE TO DO WITH CORAL DISEASE than you might think. Just like most animals, corals can get diseases. Researchers first recognized coral disease in the early 1970s. […]

coral disease from ballast water, connection between coral disease and maritime transport, ships, ballast, coral disease, coral bleaching, human influences on coral disease, microscopic organisms called ciliates, ballast water exchange (BWE) ballast water management, control your dive buoyancy to protect coral, decontaminate dive gear to protect coral, Alert Diver magazine Q4 2023

The Status of a Symbol

Thanks to manatee protections, populations have increased. Manatees are a symbol in Florida and very important. Read more about Florida manatees.

A group of manatees hover in the water