The IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme (GMPP) has a team committed to effectively addressing key global challenges in the marine and polar environment. GMPP cooperates with other IUCN thematic and regional programmes and with the IUCN Commissions to ensure that marine and polar ecosystems are maintained and restored in their biodiversity and productivity, and that any use of the resources is sustainable and equitable.

Understanding that behaviour inland in rivers and mountains ultimately can impact on the ocean, the Inland Ocean Coalition unites inland communities who are passionate about a healthy ocean, but don't live on the coast, in land-to-sea stewardship. Started in Colorado, now with chapters around the country, the coalition has adopted the slogan 'You don't have to see the ocean to protect it'.

Instituto Meu Oceano works on the issue of marine litter, acting strongly to generate awareness of and influence policy on waste management along the Brazilian coast, and in particular in developing cities. According to Instituto MeuOceano, the lack of infrastructure and inadequate management practices in Brazilian municipalities that include Coastal Zoning, contribute to the disposal of waste in our oceans. They act to complement efforts that the local community make towards improving solid waste management, including to intercept upstream marine litter, preventing its generation in the first place.

Instituto TerraMar focuses on marine conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in Brazil. They work on issues such as ocean pollution, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fishing.

Marinelife Alliance works on conservation and research for the betterment of the marine life along the coast of Bangladesh and in the marine territory of the Bay of Bengal.

IMO is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. IMO's Intervention Convention affirms the right of a coastal State to take measures on the high seas to prevent, mitigate or eliminate danger to its coastline from a maritime casualty. The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC), 1990 provides a global framework for international co-operation in combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution. A protocol to this convention (HNS Protocol) covers marine pollution by hazardous and noxious substances.

KIMO is a network of local governments, working together for healthy seas, clean beaches, and thriving coastal communities, with the aim of preventing pollution, and to protect and preserve the seas and coastal waters of the North East Atlantic and Baltic regions. They are actively involved in many practical issues, including lobbying on issues such as the standards in offshore energy projects, maritime standards and dumping at sea; they educate manufacturers and the public on pollution such as microplastics; they initiate projects such as Fishing for Litter, amongst others. KIMO stands for Kommunernes International Miljøorganisation (Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation) and was founded in Denmark in 1990. With over 80 member municipalities in eight countries, it now represents ‘more than six million citizens in Europe’.

KZN Beach Clean-up is a local group who organize beach clean-ups and work to educate the community of the importance of clean waterways and oceans

KOEM is carrying out a variety of management projects for the marine environment, including conservation, preservation and restoration of marine ecosystems, addressing climate change, responding to oil spills, and research, development and implantation of new services for green growth.

KTCS works with the local coastal communities in protecting the sea turtles, their nesting beach and foraging area. The two main species nesting in Kudat beach are the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). They aim is making Kudat coastal area a safe haven for the sea turtle population to thrive and ensure their survival through local communities participation in the protection of their habitat through active enforcement, awareness, education and research. They collaborate with other organisations such as Sabah Parks, WWF-Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Universiti Malaya, as well as local communities to protect and conserve the sea turtles. KTCS also concentrates on public awareness and education, which they believe is one of the key pillars in environmental change. Beach clean-ups, environmental awareness talks at schools and villages, as well as establishing eco-tourism activities on sea turtle conservation are just some of the ways they achieve this.

Kuddle Life Foundation is a marine conservation NGO from Pondicherry, India. A group of marine biologists, scuba divers, environmentalists and nature lovers who are passionate about the oceans, their aim is to help the marine environment and dependent life-forms prosper and sustainably live in harmony, and to create awareness about oceans and the challenges faced by their inhabitants and dependents. This they do through creating artificial reefs, staging pollution cleanup events, marine fish and mammal rescue, and education and outreach programmes.

One of the first groups of environmentalists and antinuclear movements that developed in Italy and throughout the Western world, based on scientific environmentalism to build policies and to advocate change towards local, national and international stakeholders and institutions. It aims to engage communities, stakeholders and people and enable them be the leading actors of change. Amongst their projects involving volunteers is marine litter cleanups. Based in two headquarters in Rome and Milan, with 20 regional coordination offices and more than 600 local groups of volunteers.