Washed Ashore is making art out of the marine debris that threatens our oceans.

Only about 1% of the world's oceans are protected in reserves, but this number is steadily growing thanks in part to the United Kingdom. Tucked inside the UK's recent budget announcement was the bid to protect 322,000 square miles (830,000 square kilometers) around the Pitcairn islands in the South Pacific ocean from overfishing and seafloor mining.

Study the Maldives’ most exciting residents— manta rays and whale sharks

_Scuba Diving_ magazine had a chance to catch up with August 2014 Sea Hero Lad Akins at DEMA Las Vegas to discuss his marine conservation work and his involvement with lionfish populations across the globe for Reef.org.

Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries off northern California will both more than double in size following a final rule released today by NOAA. The expansion will help to protect the region’s marine and coastal habitats, biological resources and special ecological features.

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is known for its healthy reef communities and abundant marine life. Having discovered nine additional coral reef banks in the surrounding area, NOAA hopes to expand the sanctuary’s boundaries to further protect them.

_Scuba Diving_ magazine had a chance to catch up with July 2014 Sea Hero Keller Laros at DEMA Las Vegas to discuss the conservation work for which he was nominated for and it's importance for manta rays in Hawaii.

Each year, the Beneath the Sea scuba and dive travel show, held in New Jersey, honors one person as a Legend of the Sea for his or her dedication to ocean conservation. This year's honoree, Jean-Michel Cousteau, couldn't be more deserving.

_Scuba Diving_ magazine had a chance to catch up with May 2014 Sea Hero Mary O'Malley at DEMA Las Vegas to discuss the conservation work for which she was nominated for and the importance of protecting manta rays in Indonesia.