Ocean preservation stretches beyond what it implies, as it is a way of supporting a number of other environmental goals at the same time. Wildlife conservation, fighting global climate change, and maintaining natural resources are all intertwined with ocean preservation and conservation. Many of the ways that people affect the natural world also affect the ocean specifically.

The oceans have mistakenly been perceived as a boundless area that could be pulled from for supplies indefinitely. This is a very incorrect perception, which is thankfully being transformed as people are beginning to recognize and act with regard to ocean preservation. Ocean conservation is a key in resisting global climate change, which is one of the most prevalent environmental concerns today. According to the Worldwatch Institute, ocean vegetation, coral and algae hold as much as 93 percent of carbon dioxide. Industry experts indicate that the ocean holds a large quantity of the excess greenhouse gases that humans produce, and that global climate change would be significantly worse if it did not. Industry experts also indicate that the ocean may not be able to keep up with the increase in carbon dioxide emissions throughout the world. All facts point to the fact that it is crucial to pay attention to ocean conservation and preservation and act on behalf of our oceans.

Saving plant and animal species, as well as marine food sources, is also important as marine ecosystems contain more than 50 percent of the world’s total species and all could be negatively impacted by insufficient ocean conservation efforts. These conservation efforts include the protection of manatees, sea turtles, salmon, whales and various seabirds.

The loss of ocean life translates into loss of animal protein, loss of jobs linked to the ocean, loss of ability to use marine wildlife for medical testing and research, and the loss of the ocean as an important symbol in many cultures.

Marine ecosystems are extremely valuable on many levels. This approach needs to be adopted on many levels and action must be taken to collectively support the preservation and conservation of our world’s seas.