Marine Conservation

Our ocean is vast, and so are our plans to protect the animals who live there—from stopping harmful practices that kill marine life to starting sustainable businesses that can build a better life for all.

Commercial whaling has been banned worldwide since 1986. But Iceland, Japan, and Norway still permit whale hunting. We’re working to change that. We’ve engaged partners like the Japan Whale and Dolphin Watching Council, the Ice Whale Coalition of Whale Watchers in Iceland, and the new NorWhale network in Norway. And today, whale watching is on the rise. In Japan, for instance, the whale watching industry now generates more than $22 million each year.

More often than not, saving marine life is as simple as changing laws. So, we’re working with national governments to reduce the noise pollution created by energy exploration and commercial ships. We’re engaging international shipping organizations to regulate ship speeds and avoid harmful collisions between ships and whales. And we’re lobbying for regulations and pioneering new approaches that will minimize the effects of climate change on our oceans.