Oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface and support an extraordinarily diverse world. Only a fraction of it has been discovered so far and much of ocean life remains a mystery which IUCN experts are striving to unveil.
It is estimated that more than 1 million species live on coral reefs alone, and as many as 10 million in the deep seas.
The threats facing the marine environment are numerous and complex yet less than 2% of the oceans are protected.
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About marine and polar conservation
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Full force of the law needed to save stricken dugongs
Law enforcement is key to saving one of the world’s most threatened marine mammals - the Dugong (Dugong dugon) - and a project funded by SOS - Save our Species is on the case in Mozambique. …
23 May 2012 | News story
The hidden wonders of marine biodiversity
Marine biodiversity is the theme of this year’s International Day for Biodiversity - 22 May. Oceans cover about 70% of our planet’s surface area and there are an estimated 250,000 marine species. …
22 May 2012 | Article
Mediterranean Seagrass Meadows: Resilience and Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation
This new study will be presented in Málaga during the Seagrass meadows event in Spain and provides an insight into their potential for carbon sequestration at a time when carbon credit schemes are becoming increasingly important in combating climate change. …
16 May 2012 | Media advisory
