Our ocean’s beloved coral reefs are home to many vibrant, unique and important marine animals. One of these creatures is none other than the surgeonfish, a fish that plays an important role in promoting healthy coral reefs.  Love ocean content? Enter your email and never miss an update Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Please try again or contact 1.888.780.6763 Enter Your Email ...loading Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. When talking about these iconic fish, it’s only natural to begin with a reference to one of the most famous surgeonfish out there, D ..read more

Hammerheads are some of the most recognizable fish in the sea—their iconic “hammer” head is unlike the head of any other shark out there. But did you know there are actually several species of hammerhead? Get the scoop on these spectacular sharks!  See more wonderful ocean animals! Enter your email and never miss an update Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Please try again or contact 1.888.780.6763 Enter Your Email ...loading Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. What is a hammerhead shark? Let’s start with the basics. Hammerheads are elasmobranchs, which ..read more

Sometimes when you live in a big city like Baltimore, you forget that you are still living in a vibrant ecosystem. One of my favorite things to do with friends is to spot some of the incredible sea creatures that live in our harbor. One of my favorite animal neighbors is the Atlantic bay nettles, which were recently discovered to be a different species of sea nettle that lives in the Chesapeake Bay. You can commonly see these gorgeous jellyfish here in the summer and fall. They have beautiful long tendrils that dance around as they glide in a pulsing motion. But before you get too lu ..read more

Echinoderms constitute a unique group of animals that have me believing in the magic of our ocean. For a family of slow-moving creatures with no brains or bones, you’d expect echinoderms to really struggle for survival. But while there are several threats facing echinoderms, some species have been around for more than 500 million years. If you’ve never heard of echinoderms before, we’ve got you covered. While you’ve likely already heard of the group’s most famous members like sea stars, brittle stars, feather stars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, there is so much more to know. Let’s dive in. S ..read more

Just like a snowflake falling from the sky, the whitespotted eagle ray is unique; no two are exactly the same. The whitespotted eagle ray is a beautiful sight to behold with its long pointy tail and its body spotted with white dots.  The whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) is a cartilaginous fish—and one of the ocean’s largest rays. The genus name Aetobatus comes from the Greek word aetos meaning “eagle” and batis meaning “ray.” See more wonderful ocean animals! Enter your email and never miss an update Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list ..read more

When it comes to selecting the cutest fish on the planet, there are many contenders. You might consider the usual suspects like clownfish, seahorses or rainbow parrotfish. However, you shouldn’t overlook this hidden gem: the yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicum). With its adorable appearance that once served as inspiration for a car design (yes, really!), these fish offer more than meets the eye. Let’s delve into the world of the cute, agile and sometimes dangerous yellow boxfish. Love ocean content? Enter your email and never miss an update Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list ..read more

This blog was written by Hannah De Frond, Ocean Conservancy Consultant and International Trash Trap Network Coordinator. When speaking with friends and family about my work, I realize that many of the everyday topics I consistently think and talk about are issues that others don’t often consider. A recent example of this followed the publication of Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto’s research paper about microplastics in commonly consumed protein products. This research was shared by several news outlets, and although finding microplastics in these food items was not much of ..read more

Parrotfish are serious showstoppers—just like their land-dwelling namesakes, they come in a range of bright, bold colors. Their beauty is as equally notable as their importance to our ocean: Parrotfish are essential to the survival of coral habitats as they feed on algae that could otherwise suffocate the reefs. There are so many fascinating facts about parrotfish, including their trademark “beaks” that are formed with incredibly strong teeth and jaws to make it easier to chomp on coral all day. Dive into just a few of our favorite facts about these captivatingly colorful creatures. Love ..read more

The natural wonders of our world tend to keep us on our toes. Just when we think we’ve seen it all, there’s something new and incredibly remarkable to discover. The ocean is no exception to this status quo. In fact, the ocean has shown us, time and time again, just how truly fascinating, delightfully unique and sometimes strange its inhabitants are. We are thankful to have the opportunity to explore and learn about these amazing ocean animals and bask in their splendor. Today’s spotlight is on an elusive creature that lives up to its name: the neon flying squid. Now, if you’re imagining squids ..read more

“How’s the weather?” may have once been the most common conversation starter on the planet. Recently though, that simple question launches stories about one thing: Water. Friends, family and coworkers bring out their phones to show me pictures of wild downpours and terrifying floods, waves overtopping lighthouses, people stranded on the tops of their cars and houses floating away on the tides. These are not distant stories but personal experiences. Water seems to be on everyone’s mind. Let’s take a closer look at the water cycle and how it impacts the weather and our ocean.  Never miss an ..read more