All along our coasts, plants, animals and people live side by side, existing in a delicate ecosystem that’s home to 90% of the Earth’s marine species.
Coastal seas are the parts of the ocean that exist within 230km of land, and whilst these relatively shallow waters might not seem very far away from us, they are teaming with life.
Just a few miles off our coast there’s a world that exists, filled with birds, seals, whales, dolphins, sharks, and numerous other species. In fact, 95% of all marine production on the planet happens here.
A stone’s throw away, back on dry land, these coastal areas are home to over a billion people globally, making them some of the most densely populated on Earth.
The physical characteristics of our coastal regions are constantly changing. Storms, tides and other natural occurrences can cause vast changes in the landscape, whilst human activities like the building of ports, seawalls or infrastructure can change the way our coasts look forever.
Even with all the changes that we see along our coasts, one thing is clear: these diverse and incredibly rich habitats will remain a key destination for adventurers, conservationists, and those looking to explore what’s underneath the surface for a long time to come - so protecting them should be something that we’re all extremely conscious of.