Dear Deeply Readers,
Welcome to the archives of Oceans Deeply. While we paused regular publication of the site on September 1, 2018, we are happy to serve as an ongoing public resource on ocean health and economy. We hope you’ll enjoy the reporting and analysis that was produced by our dedicated community of editors and contributors.
We continue to produce events and special projects while we explore where the on-site journalism goes next. If you’d like to reach us with feedback or ideas for collaboration you can do so at [email protected].
Gain a deeper understanding of ocean health and the people, policies, science, economics, and innovation opportunities surrounding marine issues.
Despite covering less than 1 percent of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to 25 percent of all fish species. Fish harvested from coral reefs feed tens of millions of people in developing countries and reef-related fishing, trade and tourism generates up to $30 billion annually, accounting for more than 15 percent of the GDP of 23 nations. Reefs also help protect more than 93,000 miles (150,000km) of coastline in 100 countries.
Humans have left their mark from fishing, pollution and climate change on every ocean habitat, from the shoreline to the deepest point on the planet, the Mariana Trench, where 7 miles (11km) below the surface, explorers have found plastic trash littering the seabed.
As climate change accelerates, the ocean is rising while becoming warmer, more acidic and less hospitable to coral reefs, marine life and the people that depend on the sea for food and livelihoods.
The challenges facing the ocean may seem insurmountable. Yet a global community of scientists, policymakers, activists and ordinary citizens are devising new strategies and tapping new technologies to tackle overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change and other threats to ocean health.
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