As a charity working to protect and restore our Ocean, watching OCEAN with David Attenborough last night was a stark reminder of why we do what we do and why now, more than ever, the Ocean needs our collective action.
This beautifully shot documentary explores the richness of marine life, from the vast open Ocean to underwater “jungles and meadows” like seagrass beds – habitats that are central to our own work here at the Ocean Conservation Trust. It highlighted how these underwater ecosystems are not only home to extraordinary biodiversity but also absorb more carbon than forests on land. Seagrasses emerged as one of the unsung heroes of climate resilience, pulling carbon from the atmosphere, protecting coastlines, and supporting fisheries, all while producing oxygen for the planet.
The film didn’t shy away from the challenges either. From bottom trawling that damages the delicate Ocean floor, to the staggering waste in global fishing practices, we were reminded of the urgency of restoring and protecting our Ocean. The equivalent of the Amazon rainforest is trawled every single year and 2/3rds of what’s caught may be discarded. These vessels tear up the seabed with such force “the trails of destruction can be seen from space”, releasing stored carbon and devastating habitats like seagrass meadows, which are being ploughed into silt. But despite these hard truths, OCEAN offers a clear and hopeful message: recovery is possible.
Our connection to the Ocean is deeper than we often realise. While we think about the impact of fishing and trawling on coastal communities that rely on the Ocean for their survival, the reality is that we are all deeply connected to the Ocean. For many coastal communities, fishing is a way of life that provides food and income. However, destructive practices like bottom trawling threaten their livelihoods by damaging ecosystems and depleting resources. The film made it clear that while these impacts are most visible in coastal areas, the Ocean’s health ultimately affects us all. The Ocean regulates our climate, provides the oxygen we breathe, drives the water cycle and has a priceless, intangible worth to our culture and society. The health of the Ocean is also inextricably connected to our own human health and wellbeing. If the Ocean cannot function, it directly impacts us.
Across the world, marine protected areas are proving that when we give the Ocean space, it comes back stronger, faster, and is more resilient than we thought possible. In the Canary Islands, fish returned to once-barren waters within five years of protection. In Hawaii’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument the largest of its kind, tuna populations have rebounded by over 50%. Protection from fishing is even making coral reefs more resilient to rising sea temperatures and bleaching.
Importantly, OCEAN shows that the goals of conservation and fishing aren’t in conflict they are the same: a healthy Ocean with more fish. Marine protection isn’t anti-fishing; it’s pro-future. When areas are managed properly ecosystems begin to recover, fish populations rebound, and Ocean habitats regain their strength.
At the Ocean Conservation Trust, we see this same story unfolding through our own seagrass restoration efforts. By restoring and protecting seagrass habitats, we’re not just bringing life back to our coastal waters, we’re helping fight climate change, support biodiversity, and secure Ocean health for future generations. Restoration works, and the Ocean is more capable of recovery than most people realise. But it takes action.
Less than 3% of the Ocean is currently protected. To truly turn the tide, we need to protect at least a third, including the rich, life-filled coastlines where fishing and conservation can co-exist. Because as the film powerfully reminds us, restoring the Ocean is for everyone on earth. This is our chance to protect our climate, our food, and our home because without the Ocean, we wouldn’t exist.
In June 2025, nations will come together at the UN Ocean Conference in France, with the opportunity to make history by agreeing to protect 30% of the world’s Ocean. This includes safeguarding the high seas and ending the most damaging fishing methods, all while supporting fishing communities. We’re proud that members of our team will be attending the conference to advocate for Ocean health and ensure the voice of those who are part of our Think Ocean Movement will be heard.
If you get the chance, we’d highly recommend seeing OCEAN. It’s a visually stunning and deeply moving film that captures both the scale of the challenge and the hope that still exists. The message is clear, if we give the Ocean the protection it needs, it can recover, and in doing so, help secure the future of our planet.
As Sir David Attenborough reflects, after almost 100 years on Earth, he believes the planet’s Ocean is the most important area to protect. And as he powerfully puts it: “If we save the sea, we save our world.”
You can learn more about our seagrass restoration work and how we’re helping build a healthy, thriving Ocean here.
Find out how you can Think Ocean and contribute to the UN Ocean conference: