The Biodiversity Preservation Center (BPC) has called on the Federal Government to establish legally recognised marine protected areas and strengthen efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s oceans from growing environmental threats.

The conservation group made the call on Sunday in a statement to mark World Oceans Day 2026, warning that habitat destruction, pollution and unsustainable exploitation are placing immense pressure on the country’s marine ecosystems and the millions of Nigerians who depend on them for livelihoods and food security.

In a statement signed by the Executive Director of BPC, Prof. Edem Eniang, and Director of Marine Conservation, Dr. Justina Obienu, they said protecting Nigeria’s oceans is both an environmental necessity and a moral obligation.

Speaking under this year’s World Oceans Day theme, “Awaken New Depths,” BPC said Nigeria must deepen its commitment to marine conservation through stronger policies, community participation, international collaboration and youth engagement.

The organisation noted that since 2009, it has led marine biodiversity conservation efforts across Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states, focusing on the protection of endangered species including sea turtles, Atlantic humpback dolphins and African manatees.

It urged the government to create marine protected areas to preserve critical habitats and improve the survival chances of threatened marine species.

The group also called for greater empowerment of coastal communities through education, access to resources and sustainable livelihood alternatives aimed at reducing human pressure on fragile marine ecosystems.

It stressed the need for Nigeria to strengthen partnerships with international conservation organisations in line with global best practices and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The organisation further challenged young Nigerians, including members of its Dolphin Guardians and Conservation for Non-Conservation Students (CNCS) programmes, to take up leadership roles in ocean conservation and advocacy, expressing optimism that with stronger collaboration and sustained action, endangered marine species would continue to thrive in Nigeria’s waters while future generations benefit from healthier and more productive ocean ecosystems.

“By awakening new depths of courage and collaboration, we can ensure that sea turtles continue to nest on our shores, dolphins continue to dance in our waters, and manatees continue to glide through our rivers,” the statement said. “Together, we can secure a legacy of abundance for generations to come.”