California Current

Commonly known as the California sea lion, is a marine mammal that can grow up to about 2.5 meters long.

Commonly known as giant kelp, is one of the largest seaweeds in the world and can grow more than 30 meters long.

Commonly known as the great white shark, is one of the largest predatory fish in the world, growing up to about 6 meters in length.

Commonly known as the halfmoon, is a medium-sized coastal fish that typically grows to about 30–50 cm in length.

The Agulhas Current flows along southeast Africa. It carries warm, salty water and spins off giant swirling eddies, or whirlpools. These eddies spread nutrients and connect tropical and temperate seas. The current also helps drive global ocean circulation.

The Benguela Current flows along southwest Africa, bringing cold water up from the deep sea that can be over 3,000 meters deep. This nutrient-rich upwelling fuels massive plankton blooms near the coast. The blooms attract fish, seabirds, and seals, making the area very rich in life. Near shore it is cool and foggy, while offshore the sea is clear but poor in food. Most threatened by recurring Dead Zone (natural hypoxia).

The Humboldt Current runs north along South America. It pulls up deep, nutrient-rich water that fuels massive plankton blooms. Anchovies, seabirds, and sea lions thrive here. It is one of the most productive fishing grounds on Earth.

The Mediterranean is a mostly enclosed sea with warm, salty waters. In summer it is calm and layered, but in winter storms mix the waters and bring up nutrients. River inflows and upwelling can spark short blooms of life. Because it is cut off from the open ocean, it has many unique species but is very sensitive to change.

The Patagonian Shelf is a wide underwater plateau off Argentina. Here, cold and warm currents meet, and storms stir up nutrients from the deep. Plankton blooms in spring and autumn feed fish, whales, and seabirds. Swirling fronts and eddies, like spinning mini-currents, gather life into rich feeding spots.

The Sea of Japan lies between Japan, Russia, and Korea. Winters are freezing, summers are warm, and deep currents bring in oxygen and nutrients. Spring blooms line the coasts, but in summer the surface becomes a clear “ocean desert.” Winter storms and coastal upwelling mix the waters again, making it a sea of constant change.

Tiny algae grow quickly, producing food for ocean life

Cold, deep water brings nutrients that feed life in the sea

Weak ocean mixing brings fewer nutrients, reducing sea life growth

Catching too many fish removes predators and weakens the ecosystem

Harmful algal blooms use up oxygen and release toxins that harm sea life