Mission:
To raise awareness and inspire stewardship of the world's oceans.

Background:
Officially launched earlier this month to coincide with World Oceans Day, the Ocean Portal is a project of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History that encourages visitors to deepen their personal connection to the world's oceans. A 2010 Webby Award People's Voice winner for best cultural institution Web site, the Ocean Portal makes available resources from the museum's extensive marine science network and educational and scientific assets from more than twenty partner organizations, including the National Geographic Society, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Ocean Conservancy, and the Pew Charitable Trusts. The project is a component of the museum's Ocean Initiative, which includes Sant Ocean Hall, the only exhibition in the country devoted to a global view of the ocean, and the Sant Chair for Marine Science.

Outstanding Web Features:
The Ocean Portal offers stories about a variety of ocean life and ecosystems, such as the great white shark and coral reefs. Stories include a range of facts about each subject as well as educational resources and multimedia content. Other features of the site include a blog, photo essays, timelines of ocean and ocean life history, reports on marine science efforts around the world, and information on how individuals can help address issues related to overfishing, invasive species, climate change, habitat loss, and pollution, including the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.