MegaMove Project: 12,000 Marine Animals Migration Tracked Across the Oceans

A Groundbreaking Look at Ocean Life - Marine Animal Migration Tracking

The ocean is full of life we rarely see — but that doesn’t mean it's standing still. In fact, animals like whales, sea turtles, sharks, and seals travel thousands of kilometers through open water every year. Until recently, scientists didn’t know exactly where these animals went or how far they traveled. That’s where the MegaMove project comes in.

MegaMove is the largest marine migration tracking study ever done. Over 130 research teams from around the world joined forces to track more than 12,000 marine animals. The project followed 111 different species, across 6 continents, using satellite tags that shared real-time location data.

This data gave scientists a clear picture of how marine animals move through the ocean — where they feed, rest, migrate, and breed. It also gave researchers something else: a warning.

Most Migration Routes Are Not Protected

One of the most surprising findings was how little of the ocean used by these animals is actually protected. Scientists discovered that only 9% of the areas traveled by these marine animals fall within official marine protected areas. That means most of the routes are wide open to fishing boats, busy shipping traffic, pollution, and other dangers.

For example, many whales swim directly through areas used by commercial ships, making them vulnerable to collisions. Sea turtles often pass through fishing zones, where they can get caught in nets. And since many of these animals cross international borders, it becomes even harder to make sure they are safe along the way.

It’s Not Just About More Protection — It’s About the Right Protection

You’ve probably heard about the global goal to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by the year 2030. While that’s an important step, MegaMove shows that it’s not just about setting aside more space — it’s about protecting the right space.

Some parts of the ocean are far more important than others when it comes to animal movement. Migration routes, feeding grounds, and breeding areas are all critical to the survival of many species. If those areas remain unprotected, the animals remain at risk — no matter how much ocean space is labeled as a reserve elsewhere.

That’s why the scientists behind MegaMove are calling for smarter ocean planning. They believe we should look at where animals actually travel, and design policies that match. That could mean moving shipping routes away from known whale paths, improving fishing gear to avoid catching sea turtles by accident, or building international agreements that protect shared waters.

What This Means for the Future

MegaMove brings together decades of tracking data, collected by scientists who have spent their careers studying life below the surface. What makes the project so special is how much it reveals — not just about where animals go, but about how our decisions affect them.

This isn’t just a study. It’s a call to action. We now have the tools and data to understand ocean life better than ever before. But protecting that life will take more than information. It will take cooperation, planning, and a commitment to working with nature rather than against it.

You can learn more about the project and the research team behind it at megamove.org.

Why This Matters to Everyone Who Loves the Sea

You don’t have to be a scientist to care about this. If you sail, dive, cruise, fish, or simply admire the ocean from the shore, this story is yours too. These animals move through the same waters we explore. When we know where they are, we can make better choices — avoiding harm, supporting conservation, and respecting the rhythms of the sea.

MegaMove reminds us that the ocean is alive, constantly in motion. And every journey — whether it’s a blue whale crossing the Pacific or a loggerhead turtle returning home — tells us something worth hearing.