Ocean Resources

Sustainable fishing means catching fish in ways that allow populations, habitats and ecosystems to remain healthy over the long term.
It focuses on preventing overfishing, reducing bycatch, protecting marine habitats and ensuring communities can rely on ocean resources in the future.

Curriculum fit

Science (KS3 & KS4)

• Ecosystems, food webs and interdependence: how removing species affects balance.
• Human impact on biodiversity: overfishing, bycatch, habitat damage, conservation strategies.

Geography (KS3)

• Natural resources and their management: how humans use and protect the ocean.
• Environmental change and sustainability: real‑world examples of resource depletion and recovery.

Geography (KS4)

• Sustainable development and global environmental issues: case studies of fisheries, marine protection and management strategies.

Links to learn more

Understand why the ocean matters

How we can reduce the impact of fishing?

Meet the Bluefin Tuna, the toughest fish in the sea – Grantly Galland and Raiana McKinney

Track fishing vessels worldwide using live data.

Make decisions to preserve fisheries in the Maldives.

What is a Marine Protected Area (MPA)?

A Marine Protected Area is a part of the ocean where human activity is managed or restricted to conserve habitats, species and natural processes. MPAs help ecosystems recover, protect biodiversity, support sustainable fisheries and safeguard blue carbon habitats.

Curriculum fit

Science (KS3 & KS4)

• Biodiversity and ecosystems: MPAs as conservation strategies that protect species and maintain ecosystem balance.
• Human impacts on the environment: How protection reduces damage from overfishing, pollution and habitat loss.

Geography (KS3)

• Environmental regions and ecosystems: MPAs as examples of how different parts of the world manage ocean resources.
• Sustainability and environmental change: How protected zones support long‑term ecosystem recovery.

Geography (KS4)

• Resource management and conservation: MPAs as global case studies for managing natural resources and responding to climate and biodiversity challenges.

Links to learn more

How to use MPAs to protect our oceans

A practical hands-on activity for understanding how MPAs are designed.

Discover where MPAs are located across our oceans.

What are blue carbon habitats?

Blue carbon habitats are coastal and marine ecosystems—such as seagrass meadows, saltmarshes, mangroves and kelp forests—that capture and store large amounts of carbon.

They help slow climate change, protect coastlines from storms and erosion, and support rich biodiversity.

Curriculum fit

Science (KS3 & KS4)

• Climate change & the carbon cycle: Students learn how carbon moves through natural systems and how habitats store carbon.
• Ecosystems & interdependence: How species, habitats and physical processes work together, including how grazing animals (e.g., turtles and dugongs) keep seagrass healthy.
• Human impacts on biodiversity: How habitat loss releases stored carbon and reduces ecosystem resilience.

Geography (KS3)

• Weather, climate & ecosystems: Blue carbon habitats as real examples of how natural systems regulate the climate.
• Sustainable management: How protecting and restoring coastal habitats supports people, wildlife and climate stability.

Geography (KS4)

• Climate change mitigation: Blue carbon as a nature‑based solution.
• Coastal landscapes: The role of habitats in protecting coastlines and reducing erosion.

Links to learn more

How carbon cycles through the ocean.

The sharks that hunt in forests – Luka Seamus Wright

Global conservation, restoration, policy and science activities.