Ocean Life

Many marine life websites encourage questions by providing online experts, forums, and FAQ sheets. Students can learn exactly what marine biologists and oceanographers do, while teachers will find lesson plans to encourage interest in and respect for the ocean. The Smithsonian Institute’s interactive aquarium exhibit makes an ideal place to begin exploring the mysterious creatures that live on the sea floor, whether you’re a student, a teacher, or just someone who enjoys watching fish glide by. If you find yourself soothed by the motion but don’t want to invest in an aquarium, download the next best thing, a fish screensaver.

Because the ocean routinely faces man-made threats to its wildlife, websites often post news items and conservation updates. To encourage people to get involved, they also describe local projects to preserve reefs, clean up pollution, and monitor the sea animal population. Here you can discover suggestions for saving the oceans by doing simple things like properly disposing of chemicals and supporting political candidates with proven commitment to the environment. Via organizations like Earthwatch, you can even participate in conservation expeditions to exotic locales, thereby combining grassroots action with a chance to see the world.

Scientists are still researching oceanic life to clarify unsolved mysteries, so there’s plenty of exciting and detailed research out there. To find a list of institutions and universities sponsoring oceanographic research, go to Yahoo.com, type in Oceanography, and then click on Research. Be sure to visit the World Wide Web Virtual Library as well, a massive portal containing links to newsgroups and conferences as well as a hefty subject index. Though space may be the final frontier, the ocean proves equally enthralling.