June 8 is World Oceans Day. The theme for 2026 is “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet”. This theme focuses on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These are regions of the ocean that are carefully managed to limit human activity and promote biodiversity. Currently, about 8% is under protection. The goal is to expand these areas to protect at least 30% of land, water and ocean by the year 2030.
Some examples of MPAs around the world include:
- Ross Sea Region in Antarctica
- Marae Moana in the Cook Islands
- Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the USA
- Coral Triangle in the Pacific Ocean
- Great Barrier Reef Marine in Australia
- Chagos in the Indian Ocean
These areas and more are protected in one or more ways. No-take zones (like the Chagos Archipelago) means fishing and resource extraction is not allowed. Multiple-use areas (like the Great Barrier Reef) means activities like fishing, diving and tourism is allowed but controlled.
Biodiversity includes the habitat as well as the things that live there. Here is a list of the top 10 ocean species most at risk in 2026:
- Vaquita
- North Atlantic Right Whale
- Rice’s Whale
- Whale Shark
- Angel Shark
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark
- Emperor Penguin
- Atlantic Humpback Dolphin
- Green Sea Turtle
Choose one of these species and do some research. Find out it’s conservation status, its estimated population, its main threats, and what is currently being done to preserve it today. Then, come up with a conservation plan to help this species thrive by 2030. Download a printable version of this activity here.
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