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Ocean Literacy

Marine conservation awareness and education - Communication projects and initiatives, including visual media, which aim to educate about the oceans and marine life - Ecotourism with a marine conservation component - Aquariums and Zoos - everything which is geared towards improving knowledge and inspiring action 

Arctic Marine Conservation Crew

Iceland

AMCC is an organization based in Iceland that works towards marine conservation. Through its solution-based and scientific approach, AMCC aims to lead by example and encourage, inform and educate the public on the necessary steps to take. They are included in the Nordic Coastal Cleanup network.

Associacao MarBrasil

Brazil

MarBrasil focuses on the conservation and preservation of the marine environment and the sustainable development of the Brazilian coastal area. They run several projects and programmes including in conservation of endangered species, research for the creation and management of marine and coastal Conservation Units, conservation of marine biodiversity and fisheries resources, education for marine and coastal conservation, and research and technological Innovation for conservation. For example, destructive fishing practices since the 70s have depleted fish stocks in Parana, causing difficulties to communities dependent on the ocean. One of their programmes – The Marine Biodiversity Recovery Program (REBIMAR) - works on the recovery and conservation of marine environments, as well as the preservation of endangered marine species, in addition to environmental education actions for the community.

Association for Protection of Aquatic Wildlife of Albania (APAWA)

Albania

Note@ require confirmation whether this organization still exists. Based in Albania, APAWA's main goals are: public awareness for the protection and preservation of aquatic wildlife; sustainable development in coastal and wetland areas; influence for solution of the problems linked to the aquatic communities; monitoring of eventual amelioration of aquatic and coastal ecosystems. (Website not functioning July 2021)

Association of Reef Keepers (ARK)

British Virgin Islands

ARK is dedicated to ensuring the preservation and sustainability of the BVI marine environment for the benefit of all future generations. In addition to their many projects, they collect information used to determine short and long-term changes of the marine environment which will ultimately aid effective marine resource management strategies. Community involvement and education are key strategies. The projects include: BVI Sea Turtle Programme, Coral Restoration and Rescue, Sustainable Cruising and Yachting, and Reef to Ridge (to reduce flooding, island erosion and sedimentation in coastal waters)

Atoll Marine Centre

Maldives

Atoll Marine Centre focuses on running a marine conservation program, community engagement and rehabilitating turtles on the local island Naifaru in Lhaviyani atoll, Maldives. The organization is run by locals with the help and support of international staff and volunteers via Atoll Volunteers (see www.atollvolunteers.com). It is the only initiative on its type in the Maldives run by locals rather than a resort. Through their strong focus on environmental education, they involve the local community both on Naifaru Island and in the entire Lhaviyani atoll in the protection of the local environment. They rescue and rehabilitate turtles at their rescue centre located on Naifaru Island run by marine biologists and a veterinarian, with the aim get them healthy and back into the ocean as soon as possible. They also run coral restoration projects.

Australian Marine Conservation Society

Australia

Australian Marine Conservation Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the health and vitality of Australia's coasts and seas. AMCS provides leadership on a wide range of marine issues throughout Australia including marine parks, fisheries, threatened species and land-based pollution.

Azul

USA

Azul is a grassroots organization with the aim of involving people of Latino background to ocean conservation, specifically with the aim to engage the community in protecting coastal resources and marine life. Amongst their successes is a ban on shark fins and also a ban on single use plastic bags in California.

Bahamas National Trust

Bahamas

The Bahamas National Trust is a science-based organization dedicated to effectively managing national parks to conserve and protect Bahamian natural resources. The country's 32 national parks make up a comprehensive network of parks and protected areas that is recognized as a powerful force for global biodiversity conservation which is supported and enjoyed by the public. It is a member of WIDECAST.

BandaSea

Indonesia and Germany

BandaSEA eV is a non-profit association based in Bonn. Their goal is to protect the underwater world of the Banda Sea in Indonesia by working with the local population of the Banda Islands to find solutions to problems such as plastic waste and overfishing. The area has extremely rich marine life, including superb coral reefs. Since 2012, the main focus of BandSea has been on preventing plastic waste from threatening these sensitive ecosystems. At the same time, they work with local organizations in support of the establishment of marine protected areas in the area.

Barefoot Conservation

Bali, Indonesia

Barefoot Conservation is a not-for-profit organisation that runs marine conservation and community based volunteer projects in Indonesia. Their focus is on grass roots conservation and community action, with the aim of engaging, educating and empowering the local community 'to make sustainable conservation a way of life, not just a project'. Their programme includes coral reef monitoring, Manta Ray research, and the elimination of Crown of Thorns starfish which are destroying coral reefs. Their main project is on the island of Arborek in Raja Ampat Regency, in the West Papua province of Indonesia.

Bay Islands Conservation Association

Honduras

BICA was founded to initiate and coordinate efforts for the protection of the fragile natural resources of the islands. To operate the organization has been divided into three chapters strategically located in each of the Islands, Utila, Roatan and Guanaja. The focus of their work is on environmental education, community development, protection and research & monitoring, and works with local authorities on the management of marine and terrestrial protected areas in the Bay Islands of Honduras. Amongst their many activities are included coral restoration, park patrols, marine water quality monitoring, monitoring of reef fish larvae, and protection of mangroves and seagrass.

Beyond the Surface International

USA, Global

Beyond the Surface's mission is to 'build social-ecological resilience through surfing, storytelling, and mindfulness workshops.' The organisation works in several locations around the world, promoting the ocean. For example, in Peru their aim is to support marginalized artisanal fishing communities, starting with local young people, by hosting workshops in schools and fishing villages along Peru's coast to promote ocean literacy and policy engagement, and share scientific information. BTSI has run/runs programmes in Africa (Morocco, South Africa), Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia), Central America and South America (Peru).

Diving at Raja Ampat (photo by Benny Frick).jpg
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protectingourseas.org is a non-profit initiative with a focus on marine conservation organizations worldwide. The website includes a global database of marine conservation bodies and groups involved in the protection of the marine environment, and a blog and features on  conservation-related and  diving themes. 

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