Photo Caption
The shoreline seen from Sugar Loaf, Rio de Janeiro.
© Olivier Langrand
Page Content
The ocean is sick. Its most productive ecosystems are dying, its coastlines and beaches are being destroyed, and its waters are polluted. Invasive species are taking over more seas, acidity is increasing, water is warming, food webs are fraying, and key species and populations are vanishing.
In short, the ocean's health is declining fast, which is in turn threatening human well-being. Now is the time to reverse the trend. This may be our only chance.
Conservation International has an ambitious plan to restore and maintain a prosperous ocean. This plan includes four global solutions that will spur a revolution in marine governance and management. The results will transform ocean health and benefit the people who depend on marine resources for their livelihoods and well-being.
These solutions address the most pressing and challenging issues leading to ocean decline. Conservation International's Marine Program addresses these issues at scale, focusing on creating change at the local level, the global level and everything in between. Our coordinated actions are delivered through a global network of scientists, decision makers, conservation managers, business leaders, communities and partners who are focused on achieving clearly defined goals aimed to improve ocean health.
Four Global Solutions
Subsection 01
To protect the ocean, we must understand it. Discover CI's plan to create a scientifically sound, globally respected Ocean Health Index that will reveal variations and trends in ocean health to consolidate broad commitment to improve ocean health in its most vulnerable places.
Subsection 02
Our fisheries are failing. Since the 1950s, fishing fleets have increased their reach and capacity and now operate even in the most remote corners of the ocean. Promoting sustainable fisheries through policy reform, from the local to global level, is needed now more than ever.
Subsection 03
Seascapes enhance ocean health through good governance of large marine areas. Learn about the seascapes model and explore successes in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, Bird's Head and Sulu-Sulawesi Seascapes.
Subsection 04
The ocean is a vast place, touching multiple countries and continents. CI is working at a regional scale to rally government leadership and public action, especially through the creation of new seascapes and other innovative policies.