Contents:
· Science & research institutions
· International NGOs, networks, initiatives & campaigns
· Industry groups & initiatives
Also see:
· World, oceanic & polar geography page for region-specific marine institutions
· Countries A>Z for country-specific marine instutions
Science & research institutions
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Center for the Blue Economy @ Middlebury
Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research (CLEAR)
· "...a feminist, anti-colonial, marine science laboratory. This means our methods foreground
values of equity, humility, and justice. We specialize in community-based and citizen science
monitoring of plastic pollution, particularly of plastics in food webs.
Institute for Ocean Conservation Science
Marine Biological Association (MBA)
Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey
Marine Science Institute @ UCSB
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
National Center for Integrated Coastal Research
Ocean Nexus Center @ School of Marine & Environmental Affairs, College of the Environment, University of Washington
Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of Russian Academy of Sciences
International NGOs, networks, initiatives & campaigns
Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS)
· a small NGO that attempts to solve the crisis in the ocean by establishing marine reserves; has many international projects
· From mission statement: "To conduct scientific research with emphasis on marine mammals of the western North Atlantic and on the
coastal and marine habitats and resources of the Gulf of Maine..."
Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research and Education (COARE)
· Hosts the site plastic-pollution.org
Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy (CMERA)
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
Earth System Governance Task Force on Ocean Governance
Environmental Justice Foundation
· learn more about their ocean campaign through topics such as overfishing, marine biodiversity, and illegal fishing
Friends of the Ocean and Climate @ Ocean Conservancy
· "...promoting ocean sustainability through greater transparency. We use cutting-edge technology
to visualise, track and share data about global fishing activity in near real-time and for free."
Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI)
Global Ocean Commission
· A 2013-16 initiative to raise awareness for the degradation of the oceans; see Wikipedia entry
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS)
Global Programme for Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Sources
Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB)
High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel)
· “…a unique global initiative by serving world leaders that is working to build momentum towards a
sustainable ocean economy in which effective protection, sustainable production and equitable
prosperity go hand-in-hand. By enhancing humanity’s relationship with the ocean, bridging ocean
health and wealth, working with diverse stakeholders and harnessing the latest knowledge, the Ocean
Panel aims to facilitate a better, more resilient future for people and the planet. Since launching in 2018,
18 world leaders have joined together to realise the mission of sustainably managing 100% of the ocean
area under national jurisdictions."
· 100% Alliance for Sustainable Ocean Management
· 100% Sustainable Ocean Management: An Introduction to Sustainable Ocean Plans
Independent World Commission on the Oceans (IWCO)
· 1995-1999; see UIA-GCSD entry
· Produced the report: The Ocean, Our Future
International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
· “A Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, IACS makes a unique contribution to maritime safety
and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development.
More than 90% of the world's cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification design,
construction and through-life compliance rules and standards set by the eleven Member Societies
of IACS.”
International Platform on Ocean Sustainability (IPOS)
· “The International Platform for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS) will be a global demand-driven platform
linking Ocean knowledge, policy and society, and operating at national and regional scales to help
States and groups of States to accelerate the fulfillment of their international Ocean commitments.”
International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO)
· “…an initiative created to enable a greater scientific understanding of the services the ocean provides
to humankind and the impact of the main human stressors upon it, enabling solutions to be explored
and greater communication with decision-makers and the public. To that end, the initiative brings
together science, communications, policy and legal disciplines."
International Seafood Sustainability Foundation
Marine Biodiversity & Sustainability Learning Center [Canada]
· Works with "scientists, politicians, government officials and other organizations to build
workable solutions to pressing ocean issues." They are working "to enhance marine protection
efforts in the U.S. and around the globe."
Marine Conservation Science Institute
· A nonprofit organization that is committed to promote issues within marine biology and fisheries.
It is involved in "research projects around the globe dedicated to protecting and conserving marine resources."
Marine & Environmental Research Institute
· This is a nonprofit scientific organization dealing with marine wildlife exposure to toxins, marine coastal monitoring, oil spill
recovery, and plastics and micro plastics
Mission Blue: Sylvia Earle Alliance
· Oceans
· works to provide food sustainability, build coastal resilience, and protect the oceans
North American Native Fishes Association
· Formerly the Coral Reef Foundation
· "...advances conservation in partnership with aquariums, zoos, museums, youth, and many others in our growing network worldwide.
Since 2002, The Ocean Project has also been the global leader for coordinating and growing World Oceans Day."
· Vision: "A healthy ocean and sustainable and civically-engaged society."
Ocean Sustainability Foundation (OSF)
· learn about the plastic waste in our oceans, and take a pledge to reduce plastic consumption
· "...the world’s leading ocean conservation organization that educates and activates the sailing and boating
community toward restoring ocean health. We unite sailors and boaters to take a stand for our oceans and
waterways.
· "... a non-profit organisation created by the Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos (SFMS). It works to
restore and maintain the ocean’s health and productivity, for the benefit of all life on the planet.”
Open Communications for the Ocean
· "...a global movement for ocean protection powered by a community of adventurers. We connect the passion for ocean adventure with
the purpose of marine conservation."
· a non-profit organization that works to end habitat destruction and preserve wildlife biodiversity
· "...an umbrella organisation of environmental NGOs from across Europe that promotes ambitious
policies for marine protection at European and international level."
· "...composed of a small, dedicated, and streamlined staff with over 185 years of combined experience in the fields of Biology,
Science, Engineering, Backcountry Medicine, Training and Development, Business Entrepreneurship, and Experiential Education.
Unified by our shared passions for engagement with the natural world, we inspire citizens to ask questions, challenge assumptions,
and draw their own conclusions."
Underwater Gardens International
World Fish Migration Foundation
· "a major utility for ocean communication as a means to advance public awareness and political will, and is dedicated to
providing information and education about the health of the ocean."
Grantmaking foundations
Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation
Marine Conservation Initiative
Industry groups & initiatives
National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)
· Private sector initiative of ~2014-15; website defunct as of 2023, but see UNDESA description
Consultancies
Marine Environmental Research (MER) [Cypress]
Professional associations
International Game Fish Association