Oceana and TOMS Partner to Help Save Whales
Press Release Date: February 20, 2018
Location: Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA
Contact:
Anna Baxter | email: abaxter@oceana.org
Anna Baxter
Oceana, the world’s largest ocean conservation organization, and TOMS, the One for One® shoes and accessories company, have launched a footwear collection in support of Oceana’s advocacy work to protect whales and other marine species.
The whale collection consists of limited-edition vegan footwear inspired by recovering populations of gray and humpback whales and their migration routes.
“We’re grateful to be able to partner with TOMS once again,” said Matt Littlejohn, Oceana’s Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications. “Their support will help us to win policy victories around the world that will make our oceans truly biodiverse, abundant and full of incredible ocean creatures like the gray and humpback whales that inspired this collection.”
Unsustainable and destructive fishing practices are a threat to whale populations around the world. Overfishing of forage fish can disrupt whales’ food supply while miles-long gillnets can entangle and kill whales – along with dolphins, seals, sea turtles, sharks, and many other ecologically important fish.
Between campaigns to reduce overfishing of forage species in Brazil, Peru, and the Philippines, and reduce bycatch in the U.S. and Canada, Oceana is winning victories that directly benefit many different whale populations.
TOMS partnered with Oceana as part of the TOMS Animal Initiative, which was founded by Heather Mycoskie and partners with nonprofit animal conservation organizations to raise awareness and support for global animal protection. This is TOMS’ and Oceana’s second partnership for the TOMS Animal Initiative and third overall shoe collaboration.
“We are proud to help support Oceana and the incredible work they do to create a better environment for whales and other marine life,” said Heather Mycoskie. “The goal of the TOMS Animal Initiative is to work with Oceana to build awareness about these majestic creatures and help us all understand what it is we can collectively do to help preserve their habitat and the population.”
The whale collection includes nine footwear silhouettes for men, women and kids, priced between $39 and $69. The collection is available now in TOMS stores, on TOMS.com and at select retailers and zoos.
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ABOUT TOMS
While traveling to Argentina in 2006, TOMS Founder Blake Mycoskie saw the hardships faced by children growing up without shoes. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a new pair of shoes for a child in need.
TOMS is a lifestyle brand with giving at its core. Grounded in the One for One mission, every purchase has a purpose. Consumers are benefactors, philanthropists and activists that enable TOMS to help provide shoes, sight, water and more to people in need. To date, over 75 million new pairs of shoes alone have been given to those who need them.
With every product you purchase, TOMS will help a person in need. One for One®
ABOUT OCEANA
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 third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.
