Only about 1% of the world's oceans are protected in reserves, but this number is steadily growing thanks in part to the United Kingdom. Tucked inside the UK's recent budget announcement was the bid to protect 322,000 square miles (830,000 square kilometers) around the Pitcairn islands in the South Pacific ocean from overfishing and seafloor mining.

_Scuba Diving_ magazine had a chance to catch up with August 2014 Sea Hero Lad Akins at DEMA Las Vegas to discuss his marine conservation work and his involvement with lionfish populations across the globe for Reef.org.

Cuba's Gardens of the Queen is one of the hottest dive locales in the Caribbean — and for good reason. It offers an amazing diversity of underwater wildlife.

_Scuba Diving_ magazine had a chance to catch up with July 2014 Sea Hero Keller Laros at DEMA Las Vegas to discuss the conservation work for which he was nominated for and it's importance for manta rays in Hawaii.

_Scuba Diving_ magazine had a chance to catch up with May 2014 Sea Hero Mary O'Malley at DEMA Las Vegas to discuss the conservation work for which she was nominated for and the importance of protecting manta rays in Indonesia.

Scuba Diving magazine had a chance to catch up with 2013 Sea Hero of the Year Rick MacPherson at DEMA Las Vegas to discuss his past year since winning the award, and his plans for the future.

Artist Jason de Caires Taylor's 60-ton concrete sculpture "Ocean Atlas" was sunk off the shallow coast of the Bahamas earlier this year. Watch the video!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to get bit by a great white shark? Then watch this video from Discovery Channel's SharkCam while you wait for Shark Week 2014 to start.

Watch as divers near Souza Rock on the coast of Central California have a close call with Humpback Whales in this startling video.