Oceans represent Earth's last great unexplored wilderness.
Despite making up more than 70% of the Earth's surface, there is still much about the oceans that we do not know.
Exploring and studying them is critical to protect these valuable resources for future generations. Uncover why we need to protect the oceans, find out how to get involved and dive into cutting-edge research about life underwater.
Quick questions
Marine science
The Museum's scientists study marine specimens from around the globe, from tiny fossils to vast whale skeletons.
This scientific research informs debates on issues including climate change, ocean acidification and plastics in the sea.
Life underwater
Explore stories of animals and plants that spend their lives beneath the waves.
Coral reefs
Ancient oceans and prehistoric marine life
A sea dragon brought to life
Encounter Rhomaleosaurus, a prehistoric sea dragon, as it comes back to life before your eyes in virtual reality.
Find yourself virtually transported inside the Museum and watch this marine reptile roam the galleries.
Whales
Uncover the secrets of the largest animals in the ocean.
Explore the blue whale
Relive the history of the Museum's 25-metre blue whale skeleton in the interactive online experience.
Take part
Find out how you can be involved in the Museum's citizen science, or see more of our marine specimens.
See the blue whale
Visit the Museum to walk beneath the largest animal ever to have lived.
Big Seaweed Search
Explore the UK coast and submit your seaweed sightings to help research.
Spirit Collection Tour
Meet Archie, our 8.62-metre-long giant squid, in this behind-the-scenes tour.
More stories about the ocean and its inhabitants
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Science news
Earliest animal ecosystems may have played a role in the evolution of complex life
The first animal communities could have impacted on how complex life evolved over 550 million years ago.
17 May 2024 -
News
Governments falling short of protecting the world’s oceans
Protections for the world’s oceans need strengthening, a new report suggests.
9 May 2024 -
Anthropocene
The resilient coral reefs surviving ocean warming
Ocean warming is threatening coral reefs but some reefs are surviving the warming waters and offer hope for these vital ecosystems.
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News
The world’s largest ever salmon had tusk-like teeth
Scientists now know more about how the three-metre-long Oncorhynchus rastrosus might have looked.
24 April 2024 -
News
Giant marine reptile found in the UK could be the largest ever discovered
A fossil jawbone, which may belong to the largest marine reptile ever discovered, has been found in Somerset.
19 April 2024 -
Science news
Australia remains bird flu free as outbreak continues elsewhere
Since 2020, millions of birds have been struck down by avian influenza, but Oceania remains virus free.
4 April 2024 -
Oceans
Jellyfish: The smart stinging creatures drifting through our oceans
Discover the fascinating, gelatinous world of jellyfish, from painful stings to brilliant bioluminescence.
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News
Climate change is causing days to get longer by slowing down the Earth
The melting of the polar ice caps is affecting how fast our planet spins.
27 March 2024 -
Science news
Expedition to the Pacific deep sea reveals extraordinary creatures never seen before
An international team of scientists have spent the last few weeks finding out what is living 4,000 metres beneath the surface.
25 March 2024 -
Science news
Rediscovering the world’s largest cormorant
The spectacled cormorant went extinct almost 200 years ago – but almost nothing is known about its life.
19 March 2024 -
News
Going through the menopause helps whales to become long-lived grandparents
A select group of toothed whales may have doubled their lifespan to become better grandparents.
13 March 2024 -
News
Solo south African orcas learn how to hunt great white sharks
The orcas have learnt to catch and eat young great white sharks in less than two minutes.
1 March 2024 -
News
Newly discovered deep-sea species could help to protect fragile ocean habitats
As many as 100 new species of deep-sea animals may have been discovered living on undersea mountains.
27 February 2024 -
News
Whales are being drowned out by the sound of shipping
The cacophony in the oceans is preventing whales from making themselves heard.
21 February 2024 -
News
Coral reefs cover more of Earth’s surface than realised, new estimates reveal
Satellite images have revealed a missing 64,000 square kilometres of coral cover, an area similar to the size of Ireland.
13 February 2024 -
News
Migratory fish, mammals and birds at risk of extinction
The first State of the World’s Migratory Species report found that countries aren’t doing enough to save threatened species.
12 February 2024 -
Science news
Scientists plan ‘seaweed breakthrough’ to restore threatened species
Seaweeds play a vital role in the modern world, but their existence is under threat.
2 February 2024 -
News
Ban on sandeel fishing to support UK’s struggling seabirds
The fishing of sandeels in the UK’s portion of the North Sea will be banned from April.
1 February 2024 -
What on Earth?
Pufferfish: An underwater balloon of death?
Meet the fish with many faces: famous inflatables, fatal poisoners and even romantic artists.
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Science news
Early giant whale from Australia changes our understanding of whale evolution
A jawbone fragment overlooked for more than 100 years was once part of a nine-metre-long ancient whale.
20 December 2023 -
Science news
Jawbones reveal how evolution has shaped the face of whales
It’s said that you are what you eat – and that’s certainly true of toothed whales.
19 December 2023 -
News
An upside down deep-sea anglerfish might be hunting for prey
The mystery of the whipnose anglerfish’s extraordinarily long lure might have finally been solved.
1 December 2023 -
Science news
Toxic chemicals in UK whales and dolphins are exceeding safe limits
Almost half of marine mammals around the UK are being poisoned by banned chemicals.
28 November 2023 -
Science news
400-million-year-old fish fossil reveals how we got our arms
A question that has puzzled scientists for over 150 years may finally have been answered.
1 November 2023 -
News
From staple to superfood: how seaweed fed prehistoric Europeans
Dental plaque may help to reveal what prehistoric humans ate.
17 October 2023 -
Science news
UK seaweeds face an uncertain future in a warming ocean
Seaweeds are vital for the health of our planet, but we are unaware of just how threatened they might be.
13 October 2023 -
Oceans
How trilobites conquered prehistoric oceans
Trilobites survived for more than 250 million years. But what made them some of the most successful early animals?
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Collections
What can shark teeth tell us?
Sharks have been around for millions of years. Their teeth are some of the most common fossils you can find.
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News
Fossilised trilobite gut contents reveal what ancient arthropods were eating
For the first time ever, researchers have found a trilobite’s final meal.
27 September 2023 -
News
Calls for the UK to legally ban keeping whales and dolphins in captivity
Around the world, over 3,600 whales and dolphins are being kept in captivity.
26 September 2023 -
Oceans
Sea cucumbers: Weird and wacky natural recyclers
From the headless chicken monster to anal teeth, discover the curious world of sea cucumbers.
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Science news
Identity of Jurassic plesiosaur fossils from Dorset could finally be revealed
Though the Portland plesiosaur made headlines in the 1960s, it has never been formally described.
21 September 2023 -
Science news
Ancient fish reveals how vertebrates put their heads together
New research on the 450-million-year-old Eriptychius suggests it could be a ‘missing link’ in the evolution of the vertebrate skull.
20 September 2023 -
Science news
Three-eyed ‘fossil monster’ could help explain how insects evolved
A marine predator living over 500 million years ago might bridge the gap between insects and their ancient relatives.
1 September 2023 -
News
Emperor penguin colonies abandoned after ‘unprecedented’ loss of sea ice
The breeding failure of four emperor penguin colonies is a sign of things to come, researchers have warned.
24 August 2023 -
News
Sperm and bottlenose whales may have learnt to follow trawlers for easy meals
A new study demonstrates the extraordinary ability of whales to develop new ways of feeding.
23 August 2023 -
Oceans
Sea urchins: Strange and spiny wonders of the ocean
Sea urchins can be found in every ocean on Earth. They’ve been around for 450 million years - but are they now at risk?
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News
Ancient otter-like seal relative may have used whiskers to find food
Whiskers may have been crucial to allow seals to adopt a life in water.
21 August 2023 -
Science news
Our appetite for shellfish risks pushing mussels and scallops into extinction
Bivalves have been touted as a food of the future – but wild populations might not last that long.
15 August 2023 -
News
Deep sea mining: A necessary industry or too much risk?
Scientists are warning that we simply know too little about the deep sea.
15 August 2023 -
News
New fossil whale might have been the world’s heaviest-ever animal
Fossils found in Peru are redefining the history of whale evolution.
2 August 2023 -
Oceans
A deep dive into sea snakes, sea kraits and their aquatic adaptations
Sea snakes are often feared. But are they dangerous or do we just need to get to know them better?
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News
Artificial reefs in seagrass meadows could help protect against climate change
Artificial reefs attract fish, which can improve the ability of seagrass to lock up more carbon dioxide beneath the waves.
26 July 2023 -
Science news
‘Dividing line’ for undersea wildlife discovered in the deep Pacific Ocean
The pattern of diversity in the deep sea is more complex than first thought.
24 July 2023 -
Oceans
Sea turtles: serene marine marvels and how we affect them
How much do you know about these incredible marine reptiles?
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Anthropocene
Our Broken Planet podcast
Hear stories from the front line of the planetary emergency, as well as solutions from nature, science and people power.
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What on Earth?
The unusual link between parrotfish and sand
In some places, it's estimated that up to 70% of beach sand has gone through the guts of parrotfish.
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Anthropocene
Meet Gregor Sailer, the man photographing The Polar Silk Road
We interview photographer Gregor Sailer about his experiences of working in the Arctic ahead of our newest exhibition The Polar Silk Road.
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Science news
X-rays identify a 240-million-year-old mystery fossil
An ichthyosaur fossil found in Svalbard is finally revealing its secrets 15 years after it was discovered.
9 June 2023 -
News
Traces of ancient life found in 1.6-billion-year-old rocks in Australia
A previously unappreciated group of lifeforms are changing what we know about the evolution of life on Earth.
7 June 2023 -
Science news
Bivalves were slow starters during the Cambrian explosion
The bivalves appear to have been left behind in history’s biggest ever burst of evolution.
31 May 2023 -
What on Earth?
The real cast of The Little Mermaid
Meet the creatures that really are part of your world.
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Science news
Around 90% of species in prospective deep-sea mining zone are unnamed
Many regions of the deep sea are currently being explored for the potential to mine them.
25 May 2023 -
Science news
Rare fossils fill a gap in the evolution of major animal groups
Exceptionally well-preserved fossils from the Cambrian period have helped fill a gap in our understanding of the origin and evolution of major animal groups alive today.
11 May 2023 -
Oceans
Beluga whales: Social, smart and wizards with sound
Get to know the Arctic's most friendly faced white whales.
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Oceans
Dumbo octopus: The murky world of the deepest octopus species
Named after its prominent ear-like fins, there's much more to this fascinating octopus than its adorable appearance.
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Oceans
Great white sharks: Dangerous man-eaters or marine marvels?
Great white sharks are some of the world's most misunderstood animals. There is much more to these sensitive fish than just a big bite.
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Science news
Sea ice algae on which Arctic animals rely under threat from climate change
Traces of ice algae have been found in many animal groups revealing the critical importance of algae and the sea ice on which it grows to the fragile Arctic ecosystem.
19 April 2023 -
Science news
Earliest ichthyosaur fossil discovered on remote Arctic Island
New research suggests that ichthyosaurs may have pre-dated the age of the dinosaurs after surviving Earth's largest mass extinction event.
18 April 2023 -
News
Can ancient food webs help predict biodiversity collapse?
A gradual decline in biodiversity may have led to a more devastating ecosystem collapse during the Permian-Triassic mass extinction.
11 April 2023 -
News
Deepest-ever fish filmed at a depth of 8,336 metres
An expedition to some of the Earth's deepest ocean trenches has broken records for deep-sea fish.
5 April 2023 -
Behind the Science: Eva Stewart explores how deep-sea invertebrates might be impacted by seafloor mining
Museum PhD student Eva researches deep-sea animal biodiversity in the Pacific Ocean.
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Science news
Fossils of whale ancestors reveal the path to becoming Earth's largest mammals
Whales started becoming big early in their evolution – and kept going for millions of years.
30 March 2023 -
News
Microplastics in seabirds linked with increase in illness-causing bacteria
Microplastics aren't just affecting large animals, they're also affecting microscopic species too.
27 March 2023 -
Science news
Plastic diet could be causing seabird chicks to shrink
The body mass of young shearwaters has deteriorated in just over a decade, with plastic consumption believed to be the most likely cause.
24 March 2023 -
News
Bird flu kills thousands of South American sea lions as outbreak continues
An outbreak of bird flu has swept the world over the past year, raising fears that humans could become more vulnerable.
9 March 2023 -
News
New fossils challenge the identity of the oldest bryozoan
The oldest colonial animal might actually be one of the oldest types of seaweed.
8 March 2023 -
News
Historic treaty to protect the world's oceans finally agreed
Nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the world's oceans from exploitation.
6 March 2023