Oceanic Society

About

Oceanic Society is America's oldest non-profit organization dedicated to ocean conservation, founded in 1969. It works to improve ocean health by deepening connections between people and nature, addressing the root cause of ocean decline: human behavior. The organization inspires and empowers people worldwide to build a healthy future for the world's oceans through various programs. These include reducing ocean plastic pollution, curbing climate change, and saving sea turtles. Oceanic Society is a pioneer in eco-tourism, offering nature travel experiences that positively impact natural areas and human communities. Oceanic Society organizes global cleanups and supports conservation efforts. For example, the 2023 Global Ocean Cleanup involved over 3,100 volunteers removing nearly 44 tons of trash from marine environments. The organization also focuses on behavior change through its Blue Habits program. Additionally, it has played a significant role in sea turtle conservation and marine mammal research. By engaging the public through experiential nature travel and education, Oceanic Society continues to shape the ocean conservation movement. Its efforts aim to measurably improve ocean health and reduce human impacts on marine ecosystems.