Center for the Future of the Oceans

In June 2004 the aquarium created the Center for the Future of the Oceans to inspire action for conservation of the oceans. Through the Center, we aim to empower individuals, influence policy and contribute to the protection of the oceans for future generations. We're focusing on four key areas that build on our current efforts and offer new ways to assure a future with healthy oceans.

1.	Marine Protected Areas: We support efforts to create a new network of marine protected areas in California and offshore waters, including fully protected marine reserves.
2.	Ocean Policy Reform: We seek enactment of national ocean policy reform to address the failures of federal ocean management and governance in the United States.
3.	Sustainable Seafood: We're working with the public, restaurateurs, retailers and the seafood industry to transform the seafood market so that it favors sustainable fisheries and fish farming.
4.	Protecting Wildlife and Marine Ecosystems: We champion policies that conserve and restore threatened marine wildlife on the California coast and in the northern Pacific, including the southern sea otter, sharks, tunas and sea turtles.

Right now there's an historic opportunity to build on the work of two national ocean commissions—the independent Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy—and to push for significant advances in ocean policy in California and the United States. We have a unique and important role to play in ensuring that future ocean policy is based on good science and focused on the protection of marine ecosystems. Our goal is to promote better management of our oceans and their resources by partnering with colleagues at the national, state and local levels, and by enlisting the support of people who want to get involved and take action for healthy oceans.

Visit the Priorities page for details about our four key areas of focus.

Help Us Take Action for the Oceans

Help Us Take Action for the Oceans We're building a network of people like you who want to take action and make a difference for healthy oceans—by writing letters, speaking out and stepping up.

Learn more

Make Smart Seafood Choices

You can make a difference for the future of ocean wildlife. Our Seafood Watch program tells you how.

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Inspiring conservation of the oceans

Center for the Future of the Oceans

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