ABOUT oceana
What does Oceana do? Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation.
Oceana’s Mission
Oceana is campaigning around the globe to protect and restore the world’s oceans.
What Does Oceana Do?
The oceans connect us all. They cover two-thirds of our blue planet and contain most of the life on Earth. They are as important to us as they are vast.
But the oceans face many threats — from overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks.
What does Oceana do? We win science-based policies in important coastal countries that rebuild abundant and biodiverse oceans. With more than 325 victories, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results.
A restored, healthy, and abundant ocean can help fight climate change, sustain livelihoods, and feed more than 1 billion people a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch.
Oceana was founded in 2001 after research revealed that a very small fraction of environmental funding supported ocean conservation. Our founders created Oceana to focus exclusively on the oceans and to drive policy change where it is needed most.
Oceana’s mission is to protect and restore the world’s oceans. We work to rebuild abundant, biodiverse seas that support coastal communities and protect the climate. We can save the oceans and help feed the world.
Oceana operates globally, with offices in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Asia, campaigning in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. We can — on a country-by-country basis — win policy victories that help protect and restore oceans worldwide.
Oceana pursues targeted campaigns that address the oceans’ biggest threats, including overfishing, illegal fishing, habitat destruction, plastic pollution, climate change, and the killing of threatened species.
Oceana campaigns to win policy victories that restore abundance and biodiversity in the world’s oceans, which cover two-thirds of our planet and play a key role in mitigating climate change. Our campaigns are specific, targeted, and designed to be won in a three-to-five-year timeframe. Each campaign uses scientific research, legal action, advocacy, communications, and grassroots engagement to achieve concrete, lasting outcomes for the oceans. This work is supported by our allies, including artisanal fishers, around the world.
Oceana has secured hundreds of policy wins worldwide that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species. With our allies, Oceana has protected more than 4 million square miles (over 10 million square kilometers) of ocean.
Policy change enables large-scale, long-term impact by addressing the root causes of ocean decline. With the right safeguards in place, we can protect ocean ecosystems, marine life, and those who depend on healthy oceans.
Oceana evaluates success through measurable policy outcomes such as reductions in illegal fishing, improved fisheries management, increased transparency, reductions in plastics use, and the adoption of science-based conservation measures, like creating new marine protected areas.
The oceans are under pressure from threats like overfishing, illegal fishing, plastic and oil pollution, habitat destruction, deep-sea mining, and the effects of climate change including warming waters and acidification.
Oceana is addressing overfishing by campaigning for science-based policies, including fisheries management plans and catch limits, in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. We know that when fisheries are properly managed, the fish come back.
Oceana campaigns for policies that reduce single-use plastics, hold major corporate polluters accountable for their waste, and prioritize solutions that encourage reuseable and refillable alternatives, preventing plastic pollution at the source.
Oceana campaigns to protect ocean biodiversity, including animals threatened with extinction like the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Oceana and our allies have won more than 75 policy victories to protect threatened species including sharks, sea turtles, and whales.
Yes. Oceana is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by individual donors, philanthropic foundations, and corporate partners who share our commitment to restoring ocean abundance.
Oceana’s campaigns are informed and guided by scientists, economists, lawyers, and policy experts who analyze data, develop research, and ensure that our advocacy reflects the best available science.
Oceana is funded through contributions from individuals, philanthropic foundations, and partner organizations. We publish annual financial statements to maintain transparency and accountability.
Yes. Oceana regularly collaborates with scientists, academic institutions, coastal communities, and other partner organizations to win policy changes that protect and restore the oceans.
You can support Oceana by making a donation, becoming a monthly contributor, signing up for action alerts, or participating in advocacy efforts that advance ocean-friendly policies.
Individuals can make a difference by choosing sustainable seafood, reducing their plastic use, supporting conservation policies, and lowering their overall carbon footprint. For more, read 10 Way You Can Help Save the Oceans.
You can follow Oceana’s campaigns by signing up for our email updates, reading our reports and blogs, and engaging with us on social media.
MAKE A DONATION
We’ve already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life – but there is still more to be done. Donate today to turn the tide for our oceans!
BECOME A WAVEMAKER
After signing up, we’ll email you about ways you can take action, events happening where you live, ocean news, and more to help you make the most impact for the oceans.
Our History
Oceana was founded in 2001 as an international organization focused solely on ocean conservation.
After a 1999 study discovered that less than 0.5% of all resources spent by environmental nonprofit groups in the United States went to ocean advocacy, a group of leading foundations — The Pew Charitable Trusts, Oak Foundation, Marisla Foundation (formerly Homeland Foundation), Sandler Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund — banded together.
To fill the gap, they created Oceana: an international organization focused solely on oceans, dedicated to achieving specific, time-bound policy victories that help protect and restore the world’s oceans.
The Ocean Law Project — also initiated by The Pew Charitable Trusts — was absorbed into Oceana in 2001. In 2002, Oceana merged with American Oceans Campaign, founded by actor and environmentalist Ted Danson, to more effectively address our shared mission of protecting and restoring the world’s oceans.
Since its founding, Oceana has expanded its campaigns to nine coastal countries and the European Union and protected over 4 million square miles of ocean.
How We Work
How we work reflects Oceana’s mission statement: to campaign around the globe to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Oceana identifies practical solutions that will help our oceans and we make them a reality. We are:
Campaign-Driven
We create strategic campaigns that make measurable progress to protect and restore our oceans. Our campaigns are specific, targeted, and designed to be won in a three- to five-year timeframe.
Fact-Based
We rely on scientific research to help us understand the ocean’s problems and identify practical, effective solutions. We conduct research on many issues that affect the oceans and marine life. This research helps inform our policy campaigns.
Expedition-Powered
We get on the water with scientists, divers, photographers, campaigners, and artisanal fisher allies to bring important marine places to life and help make a stronger case for their protection. Oceana’s expeditions have powered our campaigns and resulted in victories across the globe.
Multi-Disciplinary
Our scientists work closely with our teams of economists, lawyers, communicators, and advocates to achieve tangible results for the oceans.
Supported by Citizens and Allies
Oceana has over 9 million supporters, including 1.5 million Wavemakers, who help us contact decision-makers, spread the word, and make real change happen.
Follow us on social media @Oceana
