Partnering to Save Ocean Wildlife

Photo credit: National Geographic

Threats to ocean animals

A widely known Native American proverb reminds us that we do not inherit the world from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.

And yet, today, dolphins are stranded on our beaches. Humpback whales are entangled in fishing lines. Sea lion mothers and pups are washing up with empty bellies, but sea turtles reveal stomachs full of plastic.

Every year, marine animals migrate thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean and along the North American coast to feed and breed. As if the mileage of this journey is not difficult enough, these animals and their young inevitably encounter natural threats along the way that challenge their survival. However, there has been an alarming increase in human-made obstacles that are also thinning these populations.

The stretch of ocean off the coast of Southern California, extending from Point Conception south to the Mexican border, is known as the Southern California Bight. This part of the Pacific is so rich with ocean wildlife it is often called the “Blue Serengeti.” The animals that contribute to this biodiversity, many of which are already endangered, are washing up on our beaches with unknown causes of death.

Saving marine animals

This is why we started Saving Ocean Wildlife here in Southern California. Our beautiful coast is a blue highway for many animals, such as the gray whales that are born in the lagoons of Baja California, Mexico, and migrate up to the rich Alaskan waters to feed. Animals that have inhabited these waters for MILLIONS of years know no international borders as they were here long before our borders. Therefore, their protection is not the sole responsibility of either the Mexican, the Canadian, or the United States government. We must work together to collectively save these species from extinction.
Saving Ocean Wildlife (SOW) is focused on creating partnerships regionally from Alaska to Mexico to collaborate on efforts of Research, Education, and Protection (REAP). We believe that as a collective human race, “We REAP what we SOW”. We aim to engage local communities and build lasting movements so that our actions today preserve ocean species rather than let them disappear from our planet.

What can we do to save these precious animals, beyond the protections of the Endangered Species list?

What can YOU do?

You can show you care, be an advocate, and partner with us at Saving Ocean Wildlife!
SOW is a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public and improving the health of our ocean by preserving the lives of aquatic wildlife.

Ways to protect the ocean

There are many ways for you to be a voice for these animals, whether you would like to assist us in monitoring the habits of marine fauna, help us raise ocean awareness by spreading our message through your social media channels, or volunteer to join our support network to help the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) whale disentanglement team rescue animals in jeopardy.

SOW will be your connection to the ocean animals and the government agencies responsible for their protection. We will provide you with helpful tools and inspiring opportunities to help us achieve our collective goals.

Every human life is touched by the ocean in some way. Whether you are local or supporting the effort from afar, we want you on our team. This is a big ocean. We cannot do this alone.

Help us keep our Blue Serengeti alive, join us in Saving Ocean Wildlife today!

FREE Ocean wildlife guide!

Click here for your free guide to learn about the animals and find out which are endangered.

Please donate to help save the animals.