Great action is taken towards a healthier ocean. Luckily there are many ocean conservation organisations and ocean conservation advocates, than I’m able to highlight. Here are a few of my favorite top ocean conservation organisations, that have inspired me, provide useful data, and can help you learn more about the ocean. They are all eager for you to get involved, and could all use some extra support. Many ocean conservation organisations, ocean activists, and ocean influencers depend on donations to be able to do what they do. Thank you for keeping them all going!
“Our problems are manmade—therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.” – John F. Kennedy (35th U.S. President)
The 5 Gyres Institute
5 Gyres Institute undertakes some of the most cutting-edge research on plastic pollution in our oceans. They take action against the plastic pollution challenge through science, art, education, and adventure. You can become a 5 Gyres Ambassador and use their resources to create awareness in your school and community.
Learn more at 5gyres.org.
Plastic Pollution Coalition
Plastic Pollution Coalition is a group of over 500 organisations, businesses, and individuals working towards a world free of plastic pollution. They create impactful videos and actionable guides to tackle the challenges of plastic.
Learn more at PlasticPollutionCoalition.org.
PangeaSeed Foundation
I went for a stroll in Grenada and came across this powerful ocean-inspired wall painting by artist Aaron Glasson. Locally in the Caribbean is how I learned about the PangeaSeed Foundation. PangeaSeed raises awareness through ‘ARTivism.’ Through art, science, and creativity, they connect individuals and communities to the ocean. Art can be an effective trigger for the local community and travellers to rise against plastic.
Learn more at www.pangeaseed.foundation.
One World One Ocean
One World One Ocean is ‘the ocean’s storyteller.’ They create high-quality educational films and videos to educate on the challenges of the ocean. Powerful visuals.
Learn more at OneWorldOneOcean.com.
Mission Blue
Founded by ‘her Deepness’, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue aims to provoke public support for a global network of marine protected areas. Earle’s organisation identifies ‘Hope Spots’, which Mission Blue describes as “any special place that is critical to the health of the ocean, Earth’s blue heart. Hope Spots are about recognising, empowering and supporting individuals and communities around the world in their efforts to protect the ocean.” Anyone can nominate a site unique to him or her—a site that gives them hope!
Learn more at Mission-Blue.org.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
If there is one organisation that takes Action with a capital A, it’s Sea Shepherd. Since the 1970s, they have been on the ocean, taking direct action on illegal activities on the high seas. It is their goal to end poaching on the high seas. Their mission: Defend, Protect, Conserve. Sea Shepherd has helped to decrease the number of whales killed each year hugely. Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd founder, also conveys powerful messages through social media. Sea Shepherd has some great volunteer opportunities both on shore and at sea. In the Ocean Nomads network we have a few members working for Sea Shepherd.
Learn more at SeaShepherd.org.
Ocean Unite
Ocean Unite brings together powerful voices for the health of the ocean. With scientists, business, organisations, world leaders and everyday citizen taking action, knowledge is fragmented. Ocean Unite coordinates high-impact efforts to get key messages to the right people at the moments that matter. Their website is packed with ocean information and resources.
Learn more and unite at OceanUnite.org.
Ocean Conservancy
The Ocean Conservancy is an American non-profit organisation, advocating for policy changes and organising cleanups, including an annual international ocean clean-up. They have a cool app called‘Clean Swell’ where you can report your trash collections and add to the research database.
Learn more at OceanConservancy.org.
Parley TV
Parley TV is a collaboration network and accelerator of important ocean messages and innovative solutions. They are aware that we have no time to lose and therefore reach beyond the ocean conservation ‘community.’ They bring creators, thinkers and leaders together to raise awareness and amplify voices on ocean problems and solutions, to accelerate a process of change that is already in progress.
Learn more at Parley.TV.
OceansWatch
Their slogan is Cruising with a cause. With their own yachts and members’ boats, OceansWatch supports coastal communities in developing conservation action plans, sustainable livelihood projects, and help in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. OceansWatch is active in the Pacific and Atlantic.
Learn more at OceansWatch.org.
Plastic Soup Foundation
The Plastic Soup Foundation is a Dutch ocean conservation organisation fighting the plastic challenge in our ocean. They make the ocean challenges understandable for everyone and have actionable campaigns and initiatives to involve citizens fixing the plastic soup.
Learn more at PlasticSoupFoundation.org.
Plastic Oceans Foundation
Plastic Oceans is a global network of charitable Ocean conservation organisations united by a common goal to change the world’s attitude towards plastic. They make the plastic problem understandable for everyone, and have recently released a documentary exploring the issue, entitled “A Plastic Ocean”. Through education, business and sustainability, and science, they promote solutions for the plastic in our ocean.
Learn more at PlasticOceans.org
Sailors for the Sea
Sailors for the Sea help water-based events reduce their environmental impact. Over 1,000 regattas, events, rallies and cruises are taking part in their Clean Regattas program, which educates and activates event organisers to reduce their impact on the environment.
They have also developed a program for school children: Kids Environmental Lesson Plans (KELP). They have developed a fun, easy to use tool to help kids understand the ocean’s influence on them and their impact on the ocean.
Learn more at SailorsfortheSea.org.
“Like drops in the ocean, sailors and boaters are individuals. But together we’re creating a powerful wave of change that is sweeping the globe.”- Sailors for the Sea
Ocean Nomads
Ocean Nomads is a not for profit aimed at winning hearts for the ocean. Connections are created and bridges are built between people, vessels, and projects on the ground to facilitate synergy for ocean adventure and impact. The ambition is to harness our collective passion into solutions for a healthier ocean. For a tiny fee, you can become a member and: access the global ocean adventurer and change-maker network and resources (catching sailboat rides, ocean education, sailing the Atlantic, provisioning and waste management), priority access events, and much more. Yearly sailing expeditions are organized to connect you to the ocean and others driven for life on and around the sea and ocean conservation Organisations.
Learn more at OceanNomads.co
Sailing ocean conservationists
There are awesome ocean-based sailing conservationists out there too. These are a few of my favourite sailing Ocean conservation organisations savers that operate in the North Atlantic region. Hop on board, participate in ocean conservation research, and become excited about saving the ocean!
- Science Under Sail Expeditions (SUSIE – org)
- The Watermen Project (org – Global)
- Oceanminded Samsara (Ocean Nomads member)
- Sailing Windfall (Ocean Nomads member)
Soon to come: a list of inspiring ocean conservation advocates, ocean conservation influencers and oceanpreneurs. Who should be on it? Let me know in the comments!
What can you do to support ocean conservation organisations, projects and initiatives?
Simple words of kindness go a long way. Share posts on social media, tell a friend, get involved, and if you can miss a few euros: donate. Instead of keeping the corporate world going, these organizations and advocates invest all their time for the benefit of the whole planet. Many of them are driven by dedication but are held back because of a lack of funds. Donations and support from the public can help the change-makers to keep doing what they do and more. I’d like to encourage you to especially support the smaller ones. The bigger organizations already have much more access to funds than the little ones. Your donation will be noticed big time. Or if you don’t have the funds, you can also donate a skill or some of your time to help move it all forward.
What else can YOU do?
Simplify, minimize, consume less, rethink, educate yourself and explore! Explore the resources page for my recommendation on books to reads, documentaries to watch, and courses to take. The best thing to do is to spend time in, on, or near the sea and discover the good, the bad and ugly for yourself. Explore the blogs on this website to get you started and join the Ocean Nomads tribe if you’re looking to reach further.
Splash thanks for your Oceanpreneur support by sharing, caring, and donating. It helps greatly to be able to dedicate more energy and time to what truly matters: winning hearts for the ocean and encourage for ocean action.
Thank you!
Who is your top organisation conservation organisation or advocate should be added to this list?
