Marine Conservation
The Why.
The degradation of ocean resources poses a significant challenge, largely driven by overfishing, pollution, habitat disruption and climate change. These factors contribute to a decline in marine biodiversity, affecting both ecosystems and human livelihoods. Considering the ocean’s vital role in providing resources and ecological services, and our legacy as a maritime company, we believe it is imperative to prioritise marine conservation and protect our marine resources for future generations.
To achieve meaningful change, we must invest in initiatives that promote innovation and sustainable practices, paving the way for a healthier and more resilient marine environment.
Blue Ventures
Founder: Alisdair Harris Funding Period: 2015–2024. Location: East-Timor
Blue Ventures (BV) in Timor-Leste focuses on empowering coastal communities while addressing the critical issues of marine biodiversity degradation and livelihood instability arising from overfishing and habitat destruction. Their solution seeks to empower local communities though sustainable fisheries management, habitat restoration, and alternative livelihoods. BV collaborates with local organisations to implement initiatives such as mangrove afforestation, seagrass monitoring, and the establishment of locally managed marine areas (LMMAs).
Additionally, they advocate for effective marine policy and partner with the Timor-Leste government to ensure lasting conservation outcomes and enhance community resilience. The societal value generated by Blue Ventures is evident in the increased local employment opportunities, as they provide new income sources for community members through salaries paid to local staff involved in data collection and various conservation efforts, their natural capital impact, however, remains relatively modest.
Alumni Projects & Partnerships
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A Plastic Planet
A Plastic Planet seeks to eliminate plastic pollution by inspiring global change through initiatives like the Plastic Health Council and the PlasticFree platform for creatives. Wilstar supported a successful policy change project contributing to the implementation of the plastic tax
