What they do
Blue Marine Foundation works to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through marine protected areas, sustainable fishing partnerships, and habitat restoration. Based in the UK with global projects, they combine advocacy, on-the-ground conservation, and community engagement. Projects span from the Mediterranean to the Maldives, from UK kelp forests to Ascension Island.
Why they matter
Blue Marine Foundation bridges the gap between top-down policy (MPA declarations) and bottom-up implementation (community fishing management). Many MPAs exist only on paper. Blue Marine works to ensure they are actually enforced and deliver real conservation outcomes. Their approach of partnering with fishing communities rather than opposing them creates durable conservation that persists beyond political cycles.
How to support
Donations fund MPA establishment and enforcement projects worldwide. Their events (documentaries, talks, galas) connect supporters with marine conservation leaders. Corporate partnerships available for sustainable seafood supply chains.
Key project to explore
The Lyme Bay Reef Recovery project in the UK demonstrated that closing an area to bottom trawling produced a 430% increase in reef species within 5 years, providing a template for cost-effective marine restoration.