What Are the Methods Used to Conserve Marine Life?

Marine conservation is the active protection and preservation of marine ecosystems and animals from harm-- direct or indirect-- propagated by mankind. Many of the problems facing marine ecosystems today include dangerous levels of exploitation (such as overfishing), chemical pollution, introduction of non-native species, debris pollution and waste, habitat loss and other disturbances.

  1. Education

    • Continued education of the public is one of the largest proactive measures taken to conserve marine life. Education encourages individuals to use habits and practices that minimize harm to oceanic environments and creatures, and facilitates awareness of marine conservation issues. As Conservation International's website elaborates, "In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught."

    Establishing and Managing Sanctuaries

    • Establishing marine sanctuaries offers various forms of marine life safe havens that minimize the impact of mankind on specific areas. There are many marine sanctuaries throughout the U.S.-- such as the Florida Keys and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries-- that have been established to protect particularly endangered habitats and species.

    Direct Intervention

    • Direct intervention is an immediate action to actively conserve marine habitats or creatures, and can run the gamut in varieties: from emergency spill responses, ongoing management of marine wildlife populations and habitat restoration to rescuing beached or injured marine animals. Direct intervention does not always see immediate results to marine ecosystems, but is often the most visible aspect of marine conservation.

    Policy and Regulations

    • Changing policies and regulations is another significant way to conserve marine life. Many organizations lobby political groups to change laws with marine conservation in mind. Such laws may include limiting types of materials that may be dumped into oceans and estuaries, limiting boat traffic or fishing in certain sensitive areas or seasons, designating certain species threatened or endangered, and levying fines or penalties for noncompliance of laws already established to protect marine areas and species. Specific government organizations, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service, have been charged with the conservation and monitoring of marine ecosystems.