Marine and freshwater conservation
Aquatic ecosystems cover approximately 70 per cent of the earth’s surface and are essential for supporting life on our planet
They play a vital role in climate regulation and nutrient cycling, and we are fundamentally dependent on them for drinking water and for food. Despite this, aquatic habitats are less understood than their terrestrial counterparts and are faced with increasing threats.
ZSL recognises the importance of improving the management and sustainable use of aquatic resources, and has developed a programme of marine and freshwater conservation. We work with local communities and partner organisations in the UK and worldwide.
Mozambique turtle conservation | |
Cabo Delagdo in northern Mozambique is one of the last places along the East African Coast where marine habitats remain largely unexplored and unspoilt. ZSL is working alongside the local population to tag and track turtles as they travel across the Indian ocean.
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Community-led Mangrove Forest Rehabilitation in the Philippines | |
Panay Island, in the Western Visayas of the Philippines, used to be home to over 12,400 hectares of lush mangrove forests. However, extensive clearing to make way for shrimp farms has left little more than barren coastlines, robbing the local coastal communities of their livelihoods and natural resources.
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Pink sea fan conservation in the UK | |
 The pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa is one of the UK’s most spectacular soft coral. Yet despite protection, they continue to be threatened by bottom trawling for fish and scallops and by water pollution.
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UK Marine Bill Campaign | |
 Britain has an important and diverse composition of maritime species and habitats, influenced by the division between colder Arctic and warmer Mediterranean waters around our shores. However, only 0.001% of our coasts are highly protected for their wildlife.
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Coral research in Chagos | |
 The Chagos archipelago are home to some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world, however a huge bleaching event in 1998 wiped out almost 90% of the coral population.
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Turtle and tortoise conservation in Nepal | |
More than half of the 272 species of turtle and tortoise found in the world today are in decline (IUCN, 2000) largely due to habitat degradation and over-exploitation for eggs, meat and shells by man.
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Ornamental Fish in the Brazilian Amazon | |
The Amazonian export trade in ornamental fish is estimated at over US $100 million annually, yet there is currently very little regulation or monitoring of this trade and its environmental impact.
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Thames estuary conservation | |
 In the last 30 years, the Thames Estuary has become one of the world's most unpolluted metropolitan tideways, but its rich variety of wildlife remains a well kept secret.
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Invasive Species in the Thames | |
 As the Thames continues to improve, several non-native species have made it their new home. ZSL surveys part of the river to assess the extent of their presence.
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Project seahorse | |
Project Seahorse was co-founded by ZSL in 1996 in response to the destructive, global seahorse fishery.
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