Marine Protection
The ocean is full of life, mystery, and wonder. At Healthy Seas, our mission often focuses on the dangers and threats to marine ecosystems—pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction—but we also want to celebrate the beauty and resilience of the ocean. This page is dedicated to marine life and its conservation , offering a space to explore, learn, and be inspired by the incredible creatures, ecosystems, and natural processes that make up the
Meet the Ocean’s Inhabitants
Turtle Rescue
This is just one of many instances of sea turtles becoming entangled in ghost nets.
Fortunately, this turtle was freed and can now live without the burden of ghost gear entanglement. What happens if a turtle gets entangled in a ghost net? When a turtle gets entangled in a ghost net, it faces severe risks, including physical injuries like deep cuts, abrasions, and deformities from constriction. The entanglement can restrict movement, making it difficult for the turtle to surface for air, leading to drowning or preventing it from foraging, causing starvation. Struggling to escape can exhaust the turtle, leaving it vulnerable to predators, infections, or death. These incidents harm not only the turtles but also marine ecosystems, as turtles play vital roles in maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs.
The story of a Seal
… Imagine a world where seals swim freely, basking in the sunlight, unburdened by human interference. Sadly, this isn’t the reality for many, who suffer entangled in ghostnets. But YOU have the power to change this. Two paths, one choice: We can let these creatures continue to struggle or help them live. Let’s act together! Watch as we remove deadly ghost nets and give marine life the freedom they deserve. With your help, we can remove ghost nets and give marine life a chance to live freely again.
Rescuing an entangled Horn Shark
Together with the Ghost Diving USA team we went on a ghost net retrieval mission at Tuna Clipper wreck and encountered a juvenile horn shark fighting against death. The shark was wounded and entangled in a ghost net. Sharks are not just inhabitants of the deep; they are essential caretakers of the ocean’s equilibrium. Through their presence, they play a pivotal role in preserving the delicate balance of our precious ecosystem. Help us save lives by cleaning the sea from abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear. Let’s ensure our marine friends swim free!
Changing the Perception About Sharks with Cristina Zenato
Sharks have survived five global mass extinctions yet, now, many of their species are endangered due to human activities and myths. Cristina Zenato works to reverse this. She is an ocean and cave explorer, shark behaviorist and expert, dive instructor, speaker, writer, and a conservationist. She has helped to change the perception about sharks through […]
Untangling Seals: Inside Ocean Conservation Namibia’s Fight Against Ghost Gear
At Healthy Seas, we are committed to shedding light on organizations that are making a real difference in the battle against marine pollution. Today, we are thrilled to share the inspiring story of Ocean Conservation Namibia (OCN) and their relentless efforts to rescue seals entangled in ghost gear. In a recent episode of the Healthy Seas […]
Biodiversity Hotspots & Key Ecosystems
Shipwrecks as Artificial Reefs & Biodiversity Hotspots
In our third episode of the Deep Blue Legacy documentary we delve into the concept of shipwrecks as artificial reefs and on the key role of some biodiversity spots in the Mediterranean.
The Science Behind Marine Life
Unlocking the Ocean’s Secrets with NatureMetrics: How eDNA is Revolutionizing Marine Conservation
In the latest episode of the Healthy Seas podcast, we dive into the revolutionary world of eDNA with Nicole Yeomans, the Offshore Industrials Lead and marine ecology expert at NatureMetrics. With a powerful commitment to making biodiversity measurable, NatureMetrics uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to reveal previously unseen insights into marine ecosystems. Now a finalist for […]
Empowering Ocean-Minded Students: Newcastle University and Healthy Seas Collaborate on Ocean Conservation Education during Science Week
When applied marine conservation meets science, we get excited! And luckily, excitement is contagious. Together, Newcastle University and Healthy Seas developed a marine outreach and education programme called “Sustainable Sea: Forging Paths to Ocean Conservation”. The pilot was tailored to marine-interested year 12 students who signed up for the university’s Science Week. After an interactive […]
The Impact of Human Activity
STYROFOAM - A Major Challenge in Our Ghost Farm Cleanups
Why is this material causing such a headache?
Styrofoam is widely used beneath floats and docks, particularly within the aquaculture industry. Polystyrene, the key component of Styrofoam, is essential for keeping these structures buoyant. However, its use comes with serious drawbacks. Throughout our removal operations, we’ve encountered again and again the sad truth: beaches littered with countless tiny pieces of Styrofoam. These fragments are difficult to clean up due to their size and the ease with which they scatter.
Moreover, Styrofoam poses significant long-term environmental challenges. Unlike organic materials, Styrofoam does not biodegrade. Instead, it photodegrades, breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces under the influence of sunlight. The durability and persistence of Styrofoam mean that once it enters the environment, it is incredibly difficult to remove completely. This issue underscores yet another problem associated with abandoned aquaculture farms. It is not only the rings and nets but also other materials like Styrofoam used in aquaculture that are spread in the natural environment if not properly taken care of and disposed of by the industry.
The Anatomy of the Ocean: Dive into Marine Ecosystems with Healthy Seas
We’re thrilled to share The Anatomy of the Ocean, an engaging activity designed for kids to explore underwater ecosystems and understand the impact of human actions on these fragile environments. This activity can be done in class, at home, or, even better, outdoors with teachers or parents, encouraging children to connect with nature while learning. […]
Explore & Learn
Fun quizzes, downloadable resources, and educational materials
Ariadne’s Thread: Tales from the Deep
We are excited to present Ariadne’s Thread: Tales from the Deep, a short graphic novel by acclaimed Italian illustrator Alessandro Pastore, also known as Pastoraccia.
Drawing inspiration from our initiatives and the pressing challenges of marine conservation, this story explores the wonder, intrigue, and dangers that define our oceans today.
Dive into the World of Sea Turtles: Take Our Quiz!
We’re thrilled to share an exciting way for you to engage with one of the ocean’s most fascinating inhabitants—sea turtles. To celebrate these remarkable creatures and raise awareness about their conservation, we’ve created a fun and educational quiz that delves into the world of sea turtles. Why Sea Turtles Matter Sea turtles have been roaming […]
Unraveling the Mysteries of Microplastics: Dive into Our Educational Escape Room Adventure
In a world grappling with environmental crises, the issue of microplastics looms large, silently threatening the delicate balance of our oceans. As a foundation dedicated to environmental conservation, we couldn’t stand idly by. Thus, we embarked on a mission to educate, inspire, and empower change through our innovative microplastics educational quiz. Why Microplastics? Microplastics pose […]
World Water Day 2024
Our efforts at Healthy Seas revolve around water. Water is essential for humans, for animals, for life. This World Water Day, we celebrate water and delve into the fascinating properties that make it a vital element for our planet. Hydration: “Water is the most neglected nutrient in your body, but one of the most vital” – Henry […]
Shortfin mako shark infographic
Our first very own ghost net recovery vessel was made possible thanks to a generous donation by DWS. It will be operated by Ghost Diving volunteers and will help us become more efficient in our operations in the North Sea by increasing the number of diving trips per year significantly. Its name, MAKO, was inherited from its […]