ocean conservation

The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded more than $25 million in grants to support ocean conservation across the Pacific Islands. The funding is aimed at protecting marine ecosystems in a region that holds some of the world's most biodiverse waters and communities that depend heavily on ocean resources. The announcement highlights growing philanthropic investment in Pacific-led marine protection efforts.

Jeff Bezos has pledged $25 million toward ocean conservation efforts, according to Surfer Magazine. The funding is expected to support protection of marine ecosystems, though details on which programs or regions will receive the money have not been specified. The announcement draws attention to the role of billionaire philanthropy in funding ocean protection initiatives.

The Pulitzer Center has published a guide explaining how journalists can join its Ocean Reporting Network, an initiative supporting coverage of ocean-related issues worldwide. The FAQ outlines eligibility, application requirements, and the benefits offered to members. The move signals the center's continued investment in environmental journalism as interest in ocean conservation reporting grows.

The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded more than $25 million in grants for ocean conservation efforts in the Pacific Islands. The funding will support marine protection projects in a region home to some of the world's most biodiverse waters and communities heavily dependent on ocean resources. The announcement is drawing attention as one of the fund's larger regional commitments since Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion to climate causes.

Professors at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, are leading a study abroad trip to Indonesia that combines marine science with environmental policy. The program is presented as a unique approach, giving students field experience in one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions while examining how policy shapes ocean conservation.

Stella McCartney's latest show at Paris fashion week drew attention for its sea life theme and animal rights messaging, putting ethical fashion back in the headlines. The designer, long known for fur-free and leather-free collections, used the runway to highlight ocean conservation, prompting renewed discussion of animal welfare in the fashion industry.

The Tybee Island Marine Science Center in Georgia has released Ossie, a loggerhead sea turtle, back into the ocean after a period in its care. Local outlet WTOC covered the release, which marks a success for the center's sea turtle rehabilitation and conservation work on the Georgia coast.

An artist's digital painting of a humpback whale, shared with hashtags calling for ocean protection, is drawing attention among marine life and conservation art communities online. The piece, made in Procreate and tagged as human-made, no-AI art, reflects a broader current of underwater and ocean-themed artwork being used to raise awareness about protecting whales and marine ecosystems.

The Pew Charitable Trusts reports that sustainable seaweed farming could deliver wide-ranging benefits for coastal communities, supporting local livelihoods and economic growth while improving marine health. Seaweed cultivation requires no freshwater, fertiliser or feed, and can provide income, food and habitat benefits. Advocates say scaling the sector responsibly could help coastal regions adapt to economic and environmental pressures.

A summer ocean education program in Hawaii took 118 keiki—children—out to sea aboard a submarine, giving them a first-hand look at marine life and underwater ecosystems. The initiative, covered by Maui Now, is being highlighted as an example of hands-on learning that connects young people with ocean conservation and local marine environments.

The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded $25 million in grants for Pacific ocean conservation. The funding will support efforts to protect marine ecosystems across the Pacific, adding to the fund's broader environmental philanthropy backed by Jeff Bezos. The announcement is drawing attention as one of the latest large private commitments to ocean protection.

A Florida sea turtle named Sheldon has been released back into the ocean after rescuers found a fishing hook embedded in his flipper. The turtle was treated for the injury and recovered before being returned to the water. Coverage of the release is highlighting the dangers fishing gear poses to marine life and the work of rescue teams in the state.

An international species discovery workshop has identified 57 previously unknown species from the Mar del Plata Canyon, a deep-sea area off Argentina's Atlantic coast. The findings highlight how much deep-ocean biodiversity remains undocumented and are drawing attention from marine researchers and ocean conservation audiences worldwide.

Shark Month is under way, with coverage highlighting the importance of ocean conservation and the role sharks play in healthy marine ecosystems. Observers hope the annual campaign will raise awareness of threats sharks face and encourage stronger protection of ocean habitats.

An Indigenous-led marine protected area has received significant international recognition, reinforcing efforts to safeguard ocean ecosystems. The backing affirms a conservation model that places Indigenous knowledge and local stewardship at the centre of protecting marine life, rather than excluding communities from protected zones. Supporters say the endorsement strengthens the case for Indigenous-led approaches as a proven path for ocean conservation worldwide.

Engineers are testing underwater umbrellas that shade coral reefs in the Florida Keys, shielding corals from intense sunlight that drives bleaching during marine heatwaves. The novel approach aims to buy time for reefs already stressed by warming oceans, and the idea is drawing attention as an inventive, low-tech intervention in reef conservation.

Clean Ocean Action, a US coastal conservation group, is encouraging environmentally minded people to join its SEAL programme, which turns supporters into trained ocean advocates. The organisation is calling on residents who care about marine protection to sign up and take an active role in its campaigns to keep the ocean clean and defend coastal waterways from pollution.

A documentary called "How To Live On Planet Earth" is highlighting an unusual coral restoration method: playing recordings of sounds from healthy coral reefs while planting lab-grown corals. The acoustic cues are believed to attract fish and other marine life back to damaged reefs, helping ecosystems recover. Viewers are calling the approach inspiring, and it is drawing attention as a low-cost way to support ocean restoration efforts.

Ossie, a loggerhead sea turtle, has been returned to the ocean off Tybee Island, Georgia, after spending three years in rehabilitation care. The release marks the end of a long recovery for the turtle, which had been unable to survive in the wild until now. Local coverage highlights the milestone as a win for marine conservation efforts along the Georgia coast, where sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation programs continue to draw public attention and community support.

Scientists have identified 57 new deep-sea species, among them a sea cucumber nicknamed "Loki". The discovery highlights how little is still known about life in the ocean's deepest zones, and the striking appearance of the new sea cucumber is drawing attention from marine biology enthusiasts and ocean conservation outlets worldwide.

Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund is adding $25 million to its Pacific ocean conservation effort. The funding will support marine protection initiatives across the Pacific, adding to the fund's ongoing environmental commitments. Details on the specific programmes and partner organisations receiving the money have not yet been laid out in the initial announcement.

A 200-pound sea turtle named Jurassic has been released back into the ocean after completing rehabilitation at Juno Beach, Florida. The turtle was cared for at a local rehab facility before staff returned it to the water. The release is being covered by local news and welcomed by marine conservation supporters as a happy ending.

Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund has announced a $25 million investment in ocean protection, part of the philanthropy's broader $10 billion climate pledge, of which nearly $8 billion remains to be allocated. The funding will support marine conservation efforts as the fund continues rolling out grants across climate and nature priorities.

ANGARI Foundation's shark education program has passed a milestone of more than 1,000 student participants. The West Palm Beach-based nonprofit runs hands-on marine science experiences that introduce students to sharks and ocean research. The announcement highlights growing demand for experiential marine education, with supporters praising the program for connecting young people directly with scientists and conservation work.

Scientists are deploying underwater 'umbrellas'—shade structures placed over reefs—to protect Caribbean corals from intense sunlight that drives bleaching. Reports indicate the approach not only reduces bleaching but can help reverse it, offering a new tool for reef conservation as ocean heat stress intensifies across the region.