Conservation International - Oceans (Factsheet)

Our oceans are facing a rising tide of threats, from climate change to pollution to overfishing.

83%

The ocean produces 50% of the world’s breathable oxygen.

The sea absorbs 30% of the planet’s carbon; 83% of the global carbon cycle is circulated through the ocean.

These threats—threats that we alone have the power to stop— imperil the ocean’s ability to sustain our lives. Using science, policy and partnerships, Conservation International is working all around the world to protect the ocean and keep it healthy for people.

75% of coral reefs—among the most biodiverse places on the planet—are considered threatened.

OCEANS

THE OCEAN IS THE ORIGIN AND THE ENGINE OF ALL LIFE ON THIS PLANET. AND IT NEEDS OUR HELP.

Using the latest methods and tools, CI scientists and partners study and measure the ocean to continue learning about its benefits, its threats and how it functions as an ecosystem. Our work includes: creating and strengthening marine protected areas and networks in collaboration with communities and governments; halting destructive fishing practices—such as trawling, shark finning and overfishing—so that fish stocks stay healthy and productive for future generations; and developing new models for ocean management so that everyone has a stake in promoting and maintaining ocean health.

© KEITH A. ELLENBOGEN

CI’s Work More than 1 billion people depend on seafood as their main protein source.

seascapes that together cover more than 100 marine protected areas and surrounding waters: the Abrolhos Seascape in Brazil; the Bird’s Head Seascape in Indonesia; the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador; and the SuluSulawesi Seascape in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

© CI/PHOTO BY STERLING ZUMBRUNN

Marine protected areas (MPAs) regulate or restrict human activities to safeguard ecologically important areas, but they require efficient management to protect the species who live there — and the people who depend on them.

Conservation International advises and supports governments and other national authorities to ensure that MPAs are effectively researched, designed, implemented, funded and managed. We also support initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods, reducing the negative environmental impacts of businesses and communities, and fostering sustainable economic development in and around MPAs. CI has worked with governments and communities around the world to establish protected areas such as the Phoenix Islands Protected Area in Kiribati, and the world’s largest marine park, New Caledonia’s Natural Park of the Coral Sea.

Seascapes For over a decade, CI has been implementing a seascape approach, which builds coalitions to sustainably manage large marine regions.

We currently work with local partners in eight countries to improve management of four

Conservation Financing Financing is as critical as scientific tools and analysis for creating and sustaining lasting ocean health. CI finds innovative ways to fund long-term conservation efforts and engage local support, so that everyone has a role and a stake in protecting critical ocean ecosystems.

Ocean Health Index The Ocean Health Index is a tool that factors in people as part of a human-ocean ecosystem. It is the first assessment tool that scientifically measures key elements from all dimensions of the ocean’s health—biological, physical, economic and social—to assess​how sustainably people are using the ocean. More than 65 scientists and partners worked together to develop the Index, which provides an annual assessment of ocean health using information from more than 100 scientific databases.

Learn more about CI’s ocean work at:

WWW.CONSERVATION.ORG/OCEANS

© COMSTOCK IMAGES

REVISED: OCTOBER 2015

© KEITH A. ELLENBOGEN

© POLSIN JUNPANGPEN

CI’S AREAS OF WORK

© JEFF YONOVER

Marine Protected Areas