Numerous organizations are working to protect and restore the ocean. A few of them are showcased here:

Ocean Elders

According to their website, the Ocean Elders is an independent group of global leaders who have joined together to serve as a catalyst in the conservation and protection of the ocean and its wildlife. The group use their collective influence, supported by science and data, to promote ocean conservation, pursue the protection of the ocean’s habitat and wildlife, and preserve its ecosystems and species biodiversity. The Ocean Elders follow the Seventh Generation Principle, whereby the decisions taken today should lead to a sustainable world seven generations into the future.

The idea for the Ocean Elders began on the Mission Blue voyage to the Galapagos Islands in April 2010, where over 100 scientists, business leaders, philanthropists, and entertainment icons came together to support Sylvia Earle in her wish to draw public attention to the urgent need for ocean protection.

They now advocate on a number of ocean issues, working in particular to: 

• protect 30% of the ocean by 2030;

• secure a treaty for the High Seas;

• fully protect the Arctic from extraction; and

• end destructive and IUU fishing.

You can watch regular Ocean Elders Deep Dive conversations with ocean experts on their YouTube channel here.

Mission Blue

Mission Blue is an organization which, according to their website "inspires action to explore and protect the ocean ... uniting a global coalition to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access and support for a worldwide network of marine protected areas", which they call Hope Spots. According to the Mission Blue website, Hope Spots are "special places that are critical to the health of the ocean" which should be safeguarded as marine protected areas. The Hope Spots range in location from the Gulf of California, Aegean, Caribbean and Caspian seas, via the Galapagos, Andaman and Canary isles, to Antarctica, Palau and many other unprotected atolls and reefs. 

The Mission Blue Annual Report for 2021 is available here.

Mission Blue’s founder, Silvia Earle, gave a prize-winning TED Talk in 2009 entitled 'My wish: Protect our oceans':

RISE UP

In May 2019, the Oceano Azul Foundation partnered with Ocean Unite and Oak Foundation to bring together organizations and foundations to agree on common priorities, objectives, and targets that drive solutions for the ocean crisis and raise the level of ambition for action. The RISE UP Blue Call to Action is a joint call by civil society, fisherfolk, Indigenous peoples and philanthropic organisations to governments and corporations to agree to bold action to protect, restore and equitably govern the ocean.

The Blue Call to Action includes six goals:

• restore ocean Life;

• invest immediately in a net-zero carbon emissions future;

• speed the transition to a circular and sustainable economy;

• empower and support coastal people;

• unite for stronger global ocean governance; and

• protect at least 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030.

According to their website, UNOC3, the Third UN Ocean Conference due to be held in Nice in 2025, marks a pivotal milestone and platform for driving forward the goals and aspirations outlined in the Blue Call To Action. RISE UP do not want “business as usual,” the outcome of the conference must drive action with concrete goals, targets and deadlines that will truly result in a wave of change for the ocean. In the run-up to UNOC3, RISE UP are organizing monthly webinars featuring campaign priorities and engagement opportunities for network members, which are made available on their YouTube channel here.

Clean Seas

According to its website, since its launch in 2017, the UNEP Clean Seas platform has become a catalyst for change, transforming habits, practices, standards and policies around the globe, connecting and rallying individuals, civil society groups, industry and governments to dramatically reduce marine litter and its negative impacts.

To date, 63 countries have joined, making the Clean Seas Campaign the biggest, most powerful global coalition devoted to ending marine plastic pollution. Commitments by signatory countries now cover more than 60% of the world’s coastlines. 

Clean Seas coordinates and supports numerous projects around the world, from the voyages of Flipfloppi to the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge, aiming to educate people around the world about plastic pollution, give them the tools to change their personal behaviour, inspire their communities, and create a better future for our planet. The Clean Seas collaboration with the Volvo Ocean Challenge sailing race, is covered here:

Sea Shepherd

According to its website, Sea Shepherd’s sole mission is to protect and conserve the ocean and all marine wildlife. Adopting a rare hands-on approach, Sea Shepherd provides resources to assist, serve and support developing coastal and island governments in the protection of their sovereign waters against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Sea Shepherd’s primary goal is to greatly enhance a government’s own capacity to patrol, monitor, and enforce their own laws by providing fully-equipped vessels, professional crews, fuel, and other tools. Recent operations have supported the governments of Peru, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Mexico and Liberia.