The ocean is the defining characteristic of our blue planet. It is a vital part of the natural systems that support all life on Earth – supplying oxygen, regulating the climate, feeding billions of people.

It is also home to a wondrous array of wild species, from tiny plankton to the biggest creature that’s ever existed – the blue whale – and millions more we have yet to discover.

But our ocean faces formidable pressures from overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change.

It doesn’t need to be this way. WWF’s ocean conservation team is working to secure productive and resilient ocean ecosystems, sustaining people and nature.

This decade must be the turning point where we recognize the value of nature, place it on the path to recovery and transform our world to one where people and nature thrive.

By working together, we can turn the tide toward a healthier and more productive ocean, using proven tools that allow marine species and ecosystems to recover over time: protection and restoration of ocean habitats, science-based fisheries management, community-led conservation, and targeted species conservation measures.

From 2017-2022, WWF and our many partners worldwide helped deliver hundreds of marine conservation wins around the world, contributing to international efforts to halt and reverse the decline of nature in our ocean. Read our Impact Report.