September 9, 2025
Protect the Ocean: 6 Ways to Save Marine Habitats
Estimated reading time: 0 minutes
BY: Liv Ward
Topics: Protect Marine Habitat
Protect the ocean by safeguarding marine habitats — our actions today shape the health of the seas and the life they sustain.
SIGN PETITIONS THAT PROTECT MARINE HABITAT
Use your voice to protect the ocean. Signing petitions tells the Canadian government, and key decision makers, that safeguarding marine habitats matters.
Protecting marine habitat is essential to the health of Canada’s oceans, climate, and coastal economy. Strong, permanent safeguards in areas with sensitive habitat — banning destructive activities like oil and gas drilling, bottom trawling, and deep-sea mining — help the ocean recover and support thriving biodiversity.
LEARN & SHARE ABOUT THE OCEAN
Learn about marine habitats, ecosystems, and the amazing life that calls them home on Oceana Canada’s Marine Life Encyclopedia. Then share what you learn! Use social media to spread fun facts and inspire friends and family to protect the ocean. Join the conversation with Oceana Canada on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.
MAKE WAVES LOCALLY
If you live by the coast, spend time near the ocean and experience its beauty firsthand. Explore tide pools, take part in beach clean-ups, kayak or paddle near the shore, and join local celebrations like World Oceans Day in your city or town. By connecting with the ocean and caring for it directly, you can make a tangible difference in your community and help protect marine habitats.
VOTE TO PROTECT THE OCEAN
Electing officials who support smart ocean policies is a powerful way to protect our oceans and Canadian marine life. Learn where candidates stand, vote, and stay engaged. Remind elected officials that ocean policies matter to you.
After being elected, Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the Canadian government is dedicated to protecting Canada’s natural heritage and defending it for future generations. Canada has committed to protecting 30% of its ocean by 2030, and with more than 15% already safeguarded, we’re halfway there — but reaching this goal in the next five years will take ambition and public support. Tell the government of Canada to deliver on our 30×30 promise. >>>
REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
Protecting marine habitat means more ocean life and less trash. Single-use plastics are a major contributor to ocean pollution, but you can be part of making reuse the norm.
When eating out, ask for your order “for here” rather than “to-go.” Ask for your coffee or meal in a reusable container or mug rather than single-use cup or bag. If the restaurant or café doesn’t offer a reusable option – tell them you want them to adopt reuse and bring your own containers until they make the shift. Pushing businesses, restaurants, and events to make the transition to reuse encourages wider change and less single-use waste. These changes help keep plastics out of the waste stream and prevent them from polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans.
DONATE TO PROTECT MARINE HABITATS
Protect the ocean by supporting organizations that lead successful campaigns to safeguard marine habitats. Effective protection begins with identifying the most critical marine areas, conducting scientific assessments, and determining tools to address threats.
Oceana Canada’s marine scientists are on the water, surveying and sampling using the latest technology— research essential to habitat protection. Oceana Canada partners with researchers, non-governmental organizations, the government, Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities to study sensitive marine habitats and advocate for protection. Our latest victory, alongside partners and supporters, secured permanent protection for 133,017 km² of underwater mountains off the coast of British Columbia.
Through exploration, partnership, and research, we can better understand and protect the ocean.
