Oceana

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. We are rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control nearly one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 275 victories that increase transparency at sea, stop overfishing, protect habitat, and preserve threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world.

Oceana seeks to make our oceans as rich, healthy, and abundant as they once were.

Goal One: Permanently protect the Atlantic, Pacific, Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Arctic from new offshore drilling by winning permanent protections for US oceans by 2024 through legislation / executive action.

Goal Two: Philippines Habitat Protection Goal: By December 2023, get the Congress to establish Panaon Island in Southern Leyte as a coral-rich Marine Protected Area.

Goal Three: Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing: By 2023, the EU mandates small-scale vessel tracking to increase transparency, stop illegal fishing, and protect small-scale fishers and habitat.

Yes, Oceana has a strong record of developing leaders from within—12 of our 19 senior Executive Committee members began their tenure with Oceana in more junior roles. We support external professional development and also offer internal management training, coaching support, regular learning opportunities about our campaigns and the countries in which we work and focused learning and discussion on diversity, equity and inclusion topics. Oceana also has a robust intern and fellows program, to support emerging leaders in the field.

EXTERNAL: As an organization fighting for policy change, Oceana faces significant political shifts that impact our campaigns and require new strategies to be effective. In some cases, these political changes are expected, with elections for legislative and executive positions. Recently, the US, the UK, the Philippines, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Belize have all welcomed new presidents and prime ministers, which impact cabinet members, agency leaders and other key targets for our advocacy. In other cases, these changes can be unexpected, such as in Peru, when during one week in 2020, the country had three presidents within five days. These changes often result in shifts in the priorities of the government and their support or opposition to ocean conservation. Oceana navigates these changes by building broad alliances with a range of constituents and sectors, and by using science-based evidence to support new policy proposals. Our unique blend of science, advocacy, communications, law and grassroots advocacy has helped us win over 275 victories and protect more than 4 million square miles of ocean in our 22 years of operation, despite many political changes each year. INTERNAL: Like all organizations, Oceana and its employees were significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. We prioritized our employees’ health and safety, shifting to remote work in March 2020, supported by our existing systems that allow us to operate smoothly in 9 countries plus the European Union on a daily basis. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to reassure employees that no layoffs would occur during the pandemic, and we have not had any staff layoffs since that time. In June 2022, we reopened our offices with a new hybrid schedule, with employees working in the office three days each week, and from remote locations 2 days per week. We have been able to retain most of our employees, which are our strongest asset, and to continue to win policy campaigns around the world.