Be an Ocean Helper
![Headshot photo of smiling girl with hair slicked back.](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/gabby/5439251-1-eng-US/gabby_full_495.gif 156w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/gabby/5439251-1-eng-US/gabby_full_990.gif 156w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/gabby/5439251-1-eng-US/gabby_full_1468.gif 156w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/gabby/5439251-1-eng-US/gabby_full_1980.gif 156w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/gabby/5439251-1-eng-US/gabby_full_2475.gif 156w)
Hi, I'm Gabby. I live near the ocean. I respect everything that lives in the sea. I love marine animals — especially dolphins. When I grow up, I'd like to study dolphins to learn everything I can about them.
Even if you live nowhere near the water, there are some simple ways in which kids can help protect oceans and ocean life. Can you get involved? How many of these things can you do to help?
Post this list on a bulletin board or refrigerator as a reminder of what YOU can do for the oceans!
![](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/wavy-hr/5481688-1-eng-US/wavy-hr_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/wavy-hr/5481688-1-eng-US/wavy-hr_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/wavy-hr/5481688-1-eng-US/wavy-hr_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/wavy-hr/5481688-1-eng-US/wavy-hr_full_1980.png 1970w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/wavy-hr/5481688-1-eng-US/wavy-hr_full_2475.png 1970w)
I COULD
DO THIS
I AM
DOING THIS
When visiting the seashore, look closely at the animals and plants in the tide pools, but don't touch them or disturb their homes.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Enjoy looking after animals in a home aquarium, but fill it with fish that were raised to be pets, not wild fish.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Ask your family to recycle motor oil at a gas station. Even if you don't live near the coast, everything that goes down a drain ends up in the ocean.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Research marine conservation groups. Many work to protect sea birds, whales, or other marine animals and plants. Join one that interests you.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Everything you throw away ends up somewhere. A lot of trash is dumped in the ocean. Recycle when possible, especially plastics!
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Watch your pets (like dogs) when you're at the coast—they can disturb the local wildlife.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Ask for tap water instead of bottled water. Packaging and shipping the two billion gallons (eight billion liters) of bottled water that Americans drink each year uses huge amounts of energy and produces tons of pollution.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Take the bus, ride your bike or walk rather than asking your parents to drive you somewhere. This will burn fewer fossil fuels, and cut back on acid rain and water pollution.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Eat only fish that come from carefully monitored and sustainable fisheries or aquaculture. Be selective about the seafood you eat.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Respond! Write to your senators and tell them you're worried about degrading coastal ecosystems.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Keep the faucet turned off while you brush your teeth and wash your face. This simple act could save up to 20 gallons (76 liters) of water a day!
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Inquire and investigate! Just by being interested and learning about the ocean, you will find ways to help.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Don't bring home wildlife plants and animals. Leave them alone—they're very hard to keep alive!
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Seafood guides written by the Audubon Society and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, among others, will help you avoid eating species that are being overfished.
![checkboxes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_990.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1468.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_1980.png 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/marine-biology/be-an-ocean-helper/oh-checkboxes/5439480-1-eng-US/oh-checkboxes_full_2475.png 800w)
Image Credits:
Promo image: ocean, by aaron-gonzalez/Unsplash and superhero icon, by Gan Khoon Lay/The Noun Project; Gabby, © AMNH