Oceans
The area of the Earth's surface covered by oceans is 71%, yet only 0.5% of the world's oceans are protected.
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Marine protected areas safeguard the ocean's rich diversity of life while supporting local economies. They provide a safe haven for commercial fish stocks as well as endangered species and offer alternative sources of income for local people, such as tourism. Marine parks act as an insurance policy for the future both for marine life and local people.
In Australia, WWF is focusing on marine protected areas, sustainable fishing, tracking marine debris and marine turtle protection. We also actively campaign for the protection of the gentle giants of the ocean - whales.
We are focused on establishing a world class protected area system and improving water quality from land based pollution for the Great Barrier Reef. WWF achieved a milestone with the expansion, by 9.9 million hectares, of 'green zones' in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
For many years, we've worked to increase protection of the spectacular Ningaloo Reef which culminated in the West Australian Government increasing sanctuary zones along the Ningaloo Coast from 10 to 34 percent.
Australia's Coral Sea, near the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the last remaining tropical wilderness areas in the world. But this majestic "Serengeti of the Sea" faces an uncertain future.
WWF wants the Australian Government to declare the Coral Sea a "Marine Protected Area", to safeguard this underwater sanctuary for future generations.
But we need your help! Join WWF's campaign to Save the Coral Sea by signing the petition and donating to our Coral Sea appeal. More information.
Recent Oceans News
Funding agreement to save Macquarie Island: WWF
A major threat to the survival of the grey-headed albatross will be removed thanks to a joint decision today by the Australian and Tasmanian governments to fund a pest eradication program on World Heritage Macquarie Island.
Continue reading 'Funding agreement to save Macquarie Island: WWF'
Whales set to chase shrinking feed zones as Southern Ocean warms
Endangered migratory whales will be faced with shrinking crucial Antarctic foraging zones which will contain less food and will be further away, a new analysis of the impacts of climate change on Southern Ocean whales has found.
Report values healthy oceans at $US21 trillion
Bonn, May 26, 2008: Oceans offer a vast bounty to humanity in terms of food, climate and coastal protection, medicine and new technologies but these assets are at risk due to very low levels of protection and over-exploitation, a new WWF-Germany study has found.
Coral Sea sharks could be "wiped out"
Healthy but isolated shark populations and other marine species in Australia's Coral Sea are particularly vulnerable and could be wiped out by future fishing operations unless the area receives adequate protection, two new pieces of research released today have warned.
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