Surely, we all not only love the ocean and all the marine life in it, but we are beginning to feel a sense of desperation about the spaces that cover most of our mother earth. The flow of waste, destructive fishing practices and plastic pollution destroy the marine environment and threaten marine species.
A sliver of hope remains, as we see a proliferation of nonprofit groups working on both a public and political level to save and protect the planet’s oceans. They include:
Oceana is the largest organization in the world solely devoted to marine conservation. It was established in 2001 by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Oak Foundation, Marisla Foundation, and Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Since its founding, Oceana has achieved hundreds of concrete policy victories for marine life and habitats. As part of its campaigns, Oceana is involved in efforts to end major sources of ocean pollution such as oil, mercury, aquaculture and shipping emissions.
Ocean Conservancy is another leading advocacy group working for the protection of special marine habitats, the restoration of sustainable fisheries, and for reducing the human impact on ocean ecosystems. Founded in 1972, the organization was initially known as the Delta Conservancy and later the Center for Environmental Education and the Center for Marine Conservation before receiving its current name. In order to save our oceans, the group focuses on educating the public and advocating for policy changes for maintaining vibrant ocean wildlife.
Project AWARE Foundation is an organization working specifically with scuba divers across the globe to protect underwater environments. Focused on the critical issues of Shark Conservation and Marine Debris, Project AWARE empowers thousands to work together for a clean, healthy and abundant ocean planet. If you want to take part in one of the organization’s campaigns, you can explore the current Action Map to find the upcoming events or even create your own event.
The nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium is a showcase for the habitats and sea life of one of the world’s richest marine regions. In addition to that, the organization coordinates marine conservation and research programs. The Aquarium’s Conservation and Science programs are tackling some of the most critical issues affecting ocean health. The Aquarium conducts research in the fields of population biology and ecology of sharks, bluefin tuna and sea otters. Finally, through their Seafood Watch program, they help consumers and businesses choose seafood that’s fished or farmed in ways that support a healthy ocean.
As the name suggests, the Marine Megafauna Foundation focuses specifically on research and conservation for threatened marine-megafauna species, such as sharks, rays, marine mammals and turtles. Founded in 2003, the organization initially was working with the large population of marine megafauna found along the Mozambican coastline. In recent years, however, MMF researchers have expanded their efforts worldwide.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, considered controversial by some, deserves attention. Founded by Paul Watson, a former member of Greenpeace, in 1977, under the name Earth Force Society, the organization is now best known for obstructing Japanese whaling activities in the Southern Ocean. Sea Shepherd aims to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
The Coral Reef Alliance works with communities around the world, helping to solve coral reef conservation challenges. Through collaboration with fishermen, government leaders, divers, and scientists the organization leads holistic conservation programs that improve coral reef health and resilience and are replicated across the globe. The majority of the work is done in four critically important reef regions of the world – Fiji, Hawaii, Indonesia, and the Mesoamerican Region. Globally, CORAL is launching a new era of reef conservation.
The Nature Conservancy is one of the oldest and most respected conservation organizations in the world. Established in 1951, the organization has over 1 million members and works to protect ecologically important lands and waters at the largest scale. As for marine conservation, in particular, the Nature Conservancy operates more than 100 of such projects globally.
The World Wildlife Fund is another one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. It works in 100 countries and is supported by more than one million members in the United States and close to five million globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. Among the WWF’s top priorities in the area of marine conservation are working with fishers, fishing companies and scientists.
Greenpeace is a global organization working to stop environmental crimes, using non-violent creative action. The main goals of the group are to protect biodiversity in all its forms, prevent pollution and abuse of the earth’s ocean, land, air, and fresh water, end all nuclear threats, promote peace, global disarmament, and non-violence The organization works towards several issues pertaining to the marine environment in particular.
Want to add to this list? Let us know by email to Editor in Chief at steve.lloyd@lloydmedia.ca
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