Ocean Conservation

Artificial reefs are human-made structures designed to revive marine ecosystems and breathe life into areas that have been impacted by human activities. They serve as habitats for a diverse range of marine animals, offering shelter and a place to thrive where natural conditions might have been compromised.

However, it's crucial to recognize that although artificial reefs offer advantages, they cannot substitute for the urgent need to conserve and safeguard natural coral reefs. These reefs are invaluable and intricate ecosystems that play a unique role in the marine environment. In Los Angeles County, we have artificial reefs from Topanga through to Marina Del Rey. 

Learn more: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Artificial-Reefs/Guide

Beach cleanups are important as they keep trash off our beaches and ending up in the ocean where marine life may consume. The aim is to tackle the ocean litter issue – primarily caused by plastic pollution - through education for action, community science, and campaigns. 

Organizations like the Surfrider Foundation host regular cleanups and also encourage self-cleanups to raise awareness for plastic pollution and recycling efforts. You can form your own group, pick up trash in your local neighborhood or even on a hike through a forest and upload the results into our database. This information is tabulated and sent to lawmakers to create positive environmental change. 

Learn more: https://cleanups.surfrider.org/about/beach-cleanups/

Clean water along international borders is essential for public health, ecological stability, and diplomatic cooperation. Rivers and watersheds do not recognize political boundaries, so contamination on one side can quickly affect communities, agriculture, and wildlife on the other. Cooperative agreements and joint infrastructure investments help ensure that shared water resources remain safe, reliable, and resilient in the face of population growth and climate pressures.

One example is the work of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) between the United States and Mexico. Through joint projects such as wastewater treatment plant upgrades in border cities, the IBWC helps reduce untreated sewage flows into shared waterways like the Tijuana River. These binational efforts combine engineering solutions, shared funding, and coordinated oversight to improve water quality for communities on both sides of the border.

Learn more: https://www.ibwc.gov/

Dune restoration is the process of rehabilitating and revitalizing coastal dune ecosystems that have been degraded or disrupted by human activities, erosion, storms, or other environmental factors. Organizations like the Surfrider Foundation are rallying communities to restore native vegetation and remove invasive species. 

The Bay Foundation (TBF) has been supporting LAWA in restoration efforts at the LAX Dunes (also known as the Los Angeles/El Segundo Dunes), which lie between the west end of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Pacific Ocean. They are the largest remaining representation of coastal dune community in Southern California! 

Learn more: https://www.santamonicabay.org/news/in-depth-the-history-of-the-lax-dunes/

Environmental regulation establishes the legal standards and enforcement mechanisms that limit pollution, protect natural resources, and safeguard public health. By setting clear requirements for air quality, water discharge, waste management, and industrial emissions, governments ensure that economic activity does not impose hidden environmental and health costs on communities. Effective regulation creates accountability, promotes transparency, and provides consistent rules that encourage innovation while preventing environmental harm.

A well-known example is the Clean Air Act in the United States, which authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to set national air quality standards and regulate emissions from industries and vehicles. Since its passage, the Act has significantly reduced major air pollutants such as lead, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, while the economy has continued to grow—demonstrating how strong environmental regulation can protect both public health and long-term economic stability.

Learn more: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-air-act

Environmental funding and public awareness campaigns are vital tools for turning policy goals into measurable impact. Dedicated funding supports scientific research, habitat restoration, infrastructure upgrades, and community education, while campaigns mobilize public support and encourage behavior change. When financial investment is paired with grassroots advocacy, it accelerates progress by aligning government action, nonprofit initiatives, and community participation.

One example is the work of the Surfrider Foundation, which combines fundraising, policy advocacy, and volunteer-driven campaigns to protect oceans and coastlines. Through initiatives such as plastic reduction ordinances and clean water testing programs, Surfrider channels donor funding into local chapter action—supporting beach cleanups, legislative efforts, and water quality monitoring that directly improve coastal environments.

Learn more: https://www.edf.org/

Green shipping practices refer to strategies and technologies used to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport, including lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving fuel efficiency, reducing air pollutants, and minimizing ocean contamination. Because global shipping accounts for a significant share of carbon emissions and air pollution, the industry has increasingly adopted cleaner fuels, energy-efficient vessel designs, shore power connections in ports, and digital route optimization to reduce fuel consumption. These measures not only protect marine ecosystems and coastal communities but also help shipping companies comply with international environmental standards.

One example is the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 sulfur cap under the International Maritime Organization, which limits the sulfur content of marine fuels to 0.5% globally (down from 3.5%). This regulation has significantly reduced sulfur oxide emissions from ships, improving air quality in port cities and along major shipping routes while encouraging the adoption of cleaner fuels and exhaust-scrubbing technologies.

Learn more: https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/hottopics/pages/sulphur-2020.aspx

Hotels play an increasingly important role in ocean conservation by reducing coastal pollution, conserving water, limiting plastic waste, and supporting marine habitat restoration. Because many hotels operate along shorelines or rely on marine tourism, their sustainability practices directly affect reef health, fisheries, and local water quality. Responsible hotels implement wastewater treatment systems, eliminate single-use plastics, source sustainable seafood, and educate guests about protecting marine ecosystems—helping align tourism revenue with long-term environmental stewardship.

One example is the work of Six Senses, whose coastal properties integrate coral restoration projects, reef-safe policies, and on-site sustainability labs that monitor water quality and reduce plastic waste. At several island resorts, Six Senses supports coral nurseries and marine conservation partnerships, allowing guests to participate in reef restoration while ensuring that hotel operations minimize harm to surrounding ocean environments.

Learn more: https://www.sixsenses.com/en/sustainability/

Inlet Improvements focus on restoring and protecting tidal inlets—the narrow waterways that connect oceans to bays, lagoons, and estuaries. These areas are ecologically vital because they regulate water flow, filter pollutants, support fisheries, and provide habitat for birds and marine species. Conservation efforts may include dredging contaminated sediment responsibly, restoring native vegetation such as mangroves or eelgrass, improving stormwater management to reduce runoff, and redesigning shoreline structures to reduce erosion while maintaining natural tidal exchange.

One example is restoration work in Puget Sound, where agencies and nonprofits have invested in estuary and inlet rehabilitation projects to improve salmon migration routes and water quality. Through habitat restoration, shoreline softening, and stormwater upgrades, these efforts help strengthen ecosystem resilience while protecting nearby coastal communities from flooding and pollution.

Learn more: https://ecology.wa.gov/spills-cleanup/contamination-cleanup/cleanup-sites/puget-sound

Collaborative environmental initiatives in which multiple governments, agencies, or organizations work together to monitor ecosystem health, share scientific data, and coordinate conservation policy. Because oceans and waterways cross political boundaries, joint monitoring helps ensure consistent standards, early detection of pollution or biodiversity decline, and more effective, science-based management. These programs strengthen transparency, accountability, and regional cooperation in protecting shared marine resources.

One example is the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in the United Kingdom, which works with devolved administrations and international partners to monitor marine protected areas and offshore ecosystems. Through coordinated research and reporting, JNCC supports evidence-based policy decisions that safeguard marine biodiversity across UK waters.

Learn more: https://jncc.gov.uk/

Kelp forest conservation focuses on protecting and restoring underwater kelp ecosystems, which are among the most productive and biodiverse habitats in the ocean. Kelp forests provide critical nursery grounds for fish, buffer coastlines from storm surge, absorb carbon dioxide, and support commercial fisheries and tourism economies. However, warming waters, pollution, and overgrazing by sea urchins have caused significant declines in many regions. Conservation strategies include marine protected areas, urchin population management, water quality improvements, and active kelp restoration through seeding and transplanting efforts.

One example is restoration work along the coast of California, where organizations like The Nature Conservancy partner with local divers and scientists to remove invasive urchins and replant native kelp. These collaborative efforts have helped restore sections of degraded reef, improving habitat for species such as abalone and rockfish while strengthening coastal ecosystem resilience.

Learn More: https://www.nature.org/en-us/magazine/magazine-articles/kelp-forest/

The prevention and reduction of contaminants that originate on land but ultimately flow into rivers, estuaries, and oceans. Runoff from agriculture, stormwater systems, wastewater discharge, and urban development carries nutrients, plastics, oil, and heavy metals into marine ecosystems, contributing to harmful algal blooms, coral reef decline, and coastal dead zones. Effective land-based pollution control includes green infrastructure (like rain gardens and permeable pavement), improved wastewater treatment, agricultural best practices to reduce fertilizer runoff, and stricter stormwater regulations.

One example is the long-term restoration effort in Chesapeake Bay, where federal and state partners under the Chesapeake Bay Program have implemented nutrient reduction strategies across multiple states. By upgrading wastewater facilities, promoting sustainable farming practices, and restoring wetlands that naturally filter runoff, the program has reduced nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, helping to improve water clarity, restore underwater grasses, and revive critical fish and crab habitats.

Learn More: https://www.cbf.org/restoration/

The restoration and protection of mangrove forests that line tropical and subtropical coastlines. Mangroves act as natural barriers against storm surge, reduce coastal erosion, store significant amounts of carbon, and provide vital nursery habitat for fish, crustaceans, and birds. However, coastal development, aquaculture expansion, and pollution have led to widespread mangrove loss. Reforestation efforts involve planting native mangrove species, restoring tidal flow, and partnering with local communities to ensure long-term protection and sustainable management.

One example is large-scale mangrove restoration in Indonesia, supported by organizations such as Wetlands International. Through community-led planting initiatives and hydrological restoration projects, degraded coastal areas are being rehabilitated to improve fisheries, enhance climate resilience, and increase carbon sequestration—demonstrating how ecosystem restoration can deliver both environmental and socioeconomic benefits.

Learn More: https://www.wetlands.org/knowledge-base/global-mangrove-watch/

Reef-safe sun protection products are designed to reduce harm to coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Certain chemical UV filters have been shown to contribute to coral bleaching, disrupt marine life development, and persist in coastal waters frequented by swimmers and snorkelers. Non-toxic or reef-friendly sunscreens typically avoid ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, instead using mineral-based alternatives like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that sit on the skin’s surface and are considered less harmful to marine environments. Promoting these products, alongside protective clothing and shade use, helps reduce cumulative chemical exposure in fragile reef systems.

One example is the statewide legislation in Hawaii, which bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. The policy aims to protect coral reefs that are vital to Hawaii’s tourism economy, fisheries, and coastal protection, demonstrating how consumer product regulation can support broader ocean conservation goals.

Learn More: https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/hawaii-senate-bill-bans-harmful-sunscreen-chemicals-2021-03-09/

The process by which the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, causing seawater chemistry to change and become more acidic. This shift reduces the availability of calcium carbonate, a critical building block for corals, shellfish, and plankton. As acidity increases, coral reefs weaken, shellfish struggle to form shells, and marine food webs become destabilized. Addressing ocean acidification requires reducing carbon emissions globally while also strengthening local water quality and habitat resilience.

One example is monitoring and response efforts along the coast of Washington, where the Washington Ocean Acidification Center partners with shellfish growers and policymakers to track changing ocean chemistry. Through real-time monitoring, research, and adaptive hatchery practices, the region has improved the survival rates of oysters and other shellfish—demonstrating how science-based management can help coastal industries adapt while broader climate solutions are pursued.

Learn More: https://oceanacidification.uw.edu/

The process of collecting, sorting, and reprocessing plastic materials to prevent them from entering landfills, waterways, and oceans. Because millions of tons of plastic waste leak into marine environments each year, recycling plays a critical role in reducing ocean pollution, protecting wildlife from ingestion and entanglement, and conserving resources. Effective systems combine consumer education, improved collection infrastructure, corporate responsibility, and innovations in material design to increase recycling rates and reduce single-use plastics at the source.

One example is Norway’s deposit return system operated by Infinitum in Norway. Through a nationwide bottle deposit scheme, consumers receive a refund for returning plastic beverage containers, resulting in return rates above 90%. This closed-loop system keeps plastic out of waterways and oceans while ensuring materials are recycled into new bottles—demonstrating how policy design and consumer incentives can dramatically reduce plastic pollution at the source.

Learn More: https://infinitum.no/about-us/

science-based management tools that limit how much fish can be harvested in a given season or year to prevent overfishing and allow populations to replenish. By setting total allowable catches based on stock assessments, governments and regional fisheries organizations help maintain healthy fish populations, protect marine ecosystems, and ensure long-term economic stability for fishing communities. When designed well, quota systems can reduce bycatch, discourage illegal fishing, and align industry incentives with sustainability.

One example is the management of Alaska’s fisheries in Alaska under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Through Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) programs for species such as halibut and sablefish, harvest limits are carefully monitored and enforced. This system has helped maintain some of the most sustainably managed fisheries in the world, balancing conservation goals with the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Learn More: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/

Travel practices that minimize environmental impact, respect local cultures, and support conservation and community well-being. In coastal and marine environments, responsible tourism includes reducing plastic use, protecting coral reefs and wildlife, conserving water and energy, and ensuring tourism revenue benefits local communities. By aligning visitor experiences with sustainability standards, destinations can protect fragile ecosystems while maintaining long-term economic resilience.

One example is the sustainable tourism framework implemented in Palau, where the government introduced the Palau Pledge—requiring visitors to commit to environmentally responsible behavior upon entry. Combined with marine protected areas and reef-safe regulations, this initiative helps safeguard coral reefs and marine biodiversity while promoting conservation-minded travel.

Learn More: https://palaupledge.com/

The conservation of endangered sea turtle species through habitat preservation, bycatch reduction, and nest protection. Sea turtles play a vital ecological role by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, yet they face threats from coastal development, plastic pollution, climate change, and entanglement in fishing gear. Protection strategies include safeguarding nesting beaches, reducing artificial lighting near shorelines, enforcing fishing regulations, and supporting community-based conservation programs.

One example is conservation work in Costa Rica, particularly along nesting beaches in areas such as Tortuguero. Organizations like Sea Turtle Conservancy partner with local communities to monitor nests, relocate eggs when necessary, and educate visitors about responsible wildlife viewing. These efforts have contributed to increased hatchling survival rates and strengthened long-term protection for threatened turtle populations.

Learn More: https://conserveturtles.org/

The effort to decrease harmful chemical substances that enter marine environments through industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, household products, and atmospheric deposition. Toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants can accumulate in marine food webs, harming wildlife and posing risks to human health through seafood consumption. Reducing toxins involves stronger discharge standards, safer chemical alternatives, green infrastructure to filter runoff, and improved waste management practices that prevent contaminants from reaching coastal waters.

One example in practice is the cleanup and pollution control of the River Thames in London, historically one of the most polluted urban waterways in the world. After being largely biologically “dead” in the mid-20th century, sustained investments in sewage treatment infrastructure and major projects like the Tideway (a deep-level “super-sewer” completed in 2025) have dramatically reduced the amount of untreated sewage and other pollutants entering the river—helping improve water quality and support the return of numerous fish and wildlife species. These efforts, alongside regulatory oversight and ongoing monitoring, show how targeted toxin reduction strategies can revitalize a once heavily polluted waterway even in a major metropolis.

Learn More: https://pla.co.uk/thames-vision-2050

innovative tools and systems designed to remove pollution from oceans, rivers, and seabeds. These technologies range from remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that retrieve abandoned fishing gear, to autonomous drones that collect floating debris, to river “interceptors” that capture plastic before it reaches the sea. By combining engineering, data monitoring, and scalable infrastructure, underwater clean-up technologies help address marine pollution while complementing prevention efforts upstream.

One example is the work of The Ocean Cleanup, which deploys large-scale ocean systems in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to collect accumulated plastic waste. The organization also operates river interception technologies that prevent debris from flowing into the ocean in the first place—demonstrating how engineering innovation can directly reduce marine plastic pollution.

Learn More: https://theoceancleanup.com/

Volunteering and environmental competitions play a powerful role in accelerating conservation progress by mobilizing grassroots action while incentivizing bold, scalable innovation. Volunteers contribute time, local knowledge, and community energy to restoration projects, cleanups, and education campaigns, while global prize competitions spotlight breakthrough solutions and attract funding, partnerships, and public momentum. Together, citizen engagement and high-profile innovation challenges create both bottom-up and top-down pathways for environmental impact.

One example is the Earthshot Prize, launched by Prince William to award £1 million annually to five winners developing transformative solutions to environmental challenges. By combining financial support, global visibility, and mentorship, the prize helps scale innovations in areas such as ocean restoration, waste reduction, and climate resilience—demonstrating how competition-based funding can accelerate real-world environmental solutions.

Learn More: https://earthshotprize.org/

Water Quality Testing plays a vital role in protecting ecosystems and public health by identifying contaminants before they spread through rivers, coastal waters, and drinking supplies. Effective testing and treatment systems measure pollutants such as heavy metals, industrial chemicals, and harmful microorganisms, enabling faster response and more targeted remediation. When paired with advanced filtration technology, water monitoring helps prevent toxins from reaching marine environments while improving long-term water security for communities.

One example recognized by the The Earthshot Prize is H2Ok Innovations, a finalist for its advanced membrane filtration systems. The company develops high-performance filtration technology that removes difficult contaminants from wastewater and industrial discharge while reducing energy use and operational costs. By improving both detection and treatment efficiency, H2Ok Innovations helps prevent pollutants from entering rivers and coastal ecosystems—demonstrating how technological innovation can strengthen water quality protection at scale.

Learn More: https://runlaminar.com/

Xenobiotic Chemical Regulation refers to the oversight and control of synthetic chemicals—substances not naturally found in ecosystems—that can accumulate in soil, water, wildlife, and human bodies. These include pesticides, industrial solvents, pharmaceuticals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Because xenobiotics can bioaccumulate and disrupt hormones, reproduction, and immune systems in marine and terrestrial species, regulation focuses on risk assessment, safe-use standards, discharge limits, and, in some cases, outright bans. Strong regulatory frameworks help prevent long-term contamination of food webs and reduce public health risks linked to toxic exposure.

One real-life example is the global treaty known as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Adopted in 2001 and ratified by over 180 countries, the Convention targets some of the world’s most dangerous xenobiotic chemicals—such as DDT, PCBs, and certain flame retardants—for elimination or strict restriction. By coordinating international phase-outs and monitoring programs, the treaty has significantly reduced levels of these persistent toxins in marine mammals and human populations, demonstrating how multinational regulation can curb the global spread of hazardous synthetic chemicals.

Learn More: https://www.pops.int/

The active involvement of young people in environmental conservation through education, advocacy, innovation, and leadership. Youth engagement strengthens long-term sustainability efforts by building environmental literacy early, empowering future decision-makers, and encouraging fresh, community-driven solutions to climate and ocean challenges. Programs that integrate hands-on restoration work, citizen science, policy advocacy, and entrepreneurship help transform awareness into measurable impact while fostering a generation committed to environmental stewardship.

One example is the global youth movement inspired by Greta Thunberg and the organization Fridays for Future. Through coordinated school strikes, public demonstrations, and climate education campaigns across dozens of countries, young people have influenced national policy discussions and elevated environmental protection as a global priority—demonstrating how youth leadership can shape conservation dialogue and accountability worldwide.

Learn More: https://fridaysforfuture.org/

It is a sustainability approach that aims to eliminate waste by redesigning systems so materials are reused, repaired, recycled, or composted rather than sent to landfills or incinerators. In the context of ocean conservation, zero-waste strategies reduce the flow of plastics and other debris into waterways by targeting waste at its source. This includes product redesign, refill and reuse systems, composting programs, extended producer responsibility policies, and community-level waste sorting infrastructure. By shifting from a linear “take-make-dispose” model to a circular economy, zero-waste initiatives help protect marine ecosystems while conserving resources and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

One example is the citywide zero-waste strategy in San Francisco, which has implemented mandatory composting and recycling laws to dramatically reduce landfill disposal. Through comprehensive sorting programs, public education, and partnerships with waste haulers, the city has diverted a significant portion of waste away from landfills—demonstrating how municipal policy can reduce pollution that might otherwise enter rivers and oceans.

Learn More: https://www.sfenvironment.org/zero-waste