10 simple actions that help protect the ocean
Wondering how to help the ocean? Protecting our ocean starts with simple, everyday actions that add up. From reducing plastic waste to choosing sustainable seafood and supporting ocean conservation, there are many ways to make a difference. Whether you make small changes at home or take action in your community, every step helps protect our ocean planet.
1. Reduce plastic waste
1. Reduce plastic waste
Cut down on single-use plastics to keep pollution out of the ocean. You can reduce plastic waste by swapping disposable items like bags, bottles, and utensils for reusable alternatives. Even small changes help prevent plastic from entering waterways and harming marine life. Explore simple ways to reduce plastic in your daily routine.
How to reduce plastic pollution
2. Choose sustainable seafood
2. Choose sustainable seafood
Support healthy oceans by choosing seafood that’s responsibly sourced. You can help protect fish populations and ocean ecosystems by choosing sustainable seafood. Look for recommendations from Seafood Watch to make ocean-friendly choices whether you’re cooking at home or dining out. Your choices help keep fisheries and habitats thriving.
How to eat sustainable seafood
3. Reduce food waste
3. Reduce food waste
Cut food waste to lower emissions that impact ocean health. You can reduce food waste by planning meals, buying only what you need, and storing leftovers. When food breaks down in landfills, it releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change so composting your scraps is a great way to return nutrients to the soil and help keep our ocean and planet healthy.
Learn about our commitment to sustainability
4. Support climate action and vote for ocean protections
4. Support climate action and vote for ocean protections
Use your voice to support policies that protect the ocean. You can support climate action by voting, contacting elected officials, and getting involved in your community. These actions help advance policies that protect ocean ecosystems and address climate change at a larger scale.
Subscribe to our ocean action email newsletter
5. Protect coastal habitats and learn about marine ecosystems
5. Protect coastal habitats and learn about marine ecosystems
Help safeguard ocean habitats by learning about and supporting them. You can protect coastal habitats like kelp forests, mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds by learning how they support marine life. Join a beach cleanup or support efforts to restore and protect our coastlines, rivers, streams, and ocean.
Subscribe to our ocean action email newsletter
6. Be a responsible wildlife viewer
6. Be a responsible wildlife viewer
Respect wildlife to help keep animals safe in their natural habitats. When you visit parks, beaches, or natural areas, always observe wildlife from a safe distance and never feed, touch, or disturb the animals you encounter. Follow posted guidelines and stay on marked trails to help protect wildlife and ensure animals can thrive in the wild.
How to go tidepooling on California’s rocky shores
7. Lower your carbon footprint
7. Lower your carbon footprint
Reduce climate impacts that threaten ocean health. You can lower your carbon footprint by using less energy, eating more plant-based meals, and choosing low-impact transportation like biking or public transit. These everyday choices help slow climate change and protect the ocean and planet we all share.
Hoe to take action on climate change
8. Support ocean conservation organizations
8. Support ocean conservation organizations
Help protect marine life by supporting organizations working to save the ocean. You can make a direct impact by supporting ocean conservation organizations through donations, memberships, or visits. Your support helps fund research, education, and advocacy efforts that protect marine wildlife and the coastal communities that depend on a healthy ocean.
9. Inspire others to care for the ocean
9. Inspire others to care for the ocean
Share what you know to help more people take action for the ocean. You can inspire others by talking with friends and family about simple ways to reduce plastic use, choose sustainable seafood, and support ocean-friendly policies. By leading by example and encouraging others to get involved, you help build a community that cares for and protects the ocean.
Become a member and share the wonder
10. Stay informed about ocean issues
10. Stay informed about ocean issues
Learn about ocean challenges so you can take meaningful action. You can stay informed by following trusted sources and signing up for updates on ocean issues. Understanding these challenges helps you make informed choices and find ways to get involved.
Subscribe to our ocean action email newsletterBe a voice for the ocean
Sign up for our quarterly ocean action emails and get inspiring conservation stories, tips on living a sustainable lifestyle, and opportunities to take action to protect the ocean—delivered to your inbox.
Keep exploring
Change & impact
Our conservation work
For more than 40 years, the Aquarium has worked to protect the ocean that shapes our lives.
Read more – Our conservation work
Change & impact
How to protect marine wildlife
You can protect marine wildlife by making choices every day that protect ocean habitats.
Read more – How to protect marine wildlife
Change & impact
How to reduce plastic pollution
You can reduce plastic pollution by finding ways to recycle, limit exposure, reduce plastic use, and take…
Read more – How to reduce plastic pollution
Change & impact
How to choose sustainable seafood
Use our guides and tools to find ocean-friendly seafood whether you’re shopping, cooking, or dining out.
Explore – How to choose sustainable seafood