Supporting Healthy Oceans
Who is Blue Marine Foundation?
Blue Marine Foundation is an organisation dedicated to restoring the ocean to health by protecting and restoring marine life. Its mission is to see at least 30 per cent of the world’s ocean under effective protection by 2030 and the other 70 per cent managed in a responsible way. The ocean is the world’s largest carbon sink. By combatting overfishing, establishing Marine Protected Areas, restoring depleted marine habitats and engaging local communities in marine conservation, Blue Marine seeks to ensure the ocean can continue its vital function of stabilising the Earth’s climate. To date, Blue Marine has contributed to the protection of over four million square kilometres of the ocean.
What work are we supporting?
To date, our partnership has supported seven projects which span the globe, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Kenya to Indonesia. Through a combination of conservation, ecosystem restoration, research and community engagement, each project seeks to address the climate and biodiversity crisis in different ways, empowering and engaging local communities:
- Greece – A blue carbon approach to saving Greek seas
- Indonesia – Community-led restoration of Indonesia’s extraordinary blue forests
- Philippines – Restoring abandoned aquaculture ponds to productive mangrove forests
- The Maldives – Restoring mangroves and seagrass for climate mitigation and resilience
- Formentera – Safeguarding the future of ancient seagrass meadows
- Kenya – Restoring Mida-Creek’s mangrove forests
- The Caribbean – Restoring blue carbon habitats and protecting unique marine ecosystems
Impact to Date
Over its first two years, our partnership with Blue Marine Foundation has helped deliver significant impact for ocean conservation and community livelihoods across seven global projects.
Since the start of our partnership in 2023, 76 hectares of vital blue carbon habitat have been ecologically restored, with collaborative efforts advancing to protect nearly 19,000 hectares.
More than 145,000 mangrove and seagrass seedlings have been planted with strong survival rates, over 400 coastal community members have been employed or engaged in marine restoration, thousands of tonnes of carbon are being removed, and 12 new scientific advancements in blue carbon and nature conservation have been made or are under development.
Key Achievements:
- Indonesia: 12 hectares of abandoned ponds were ecologically restored with the active participation of 64 community members, including women and priority groups. Seedling planting success exceeded targets, and the project also launched sustainable livelihoods in beekeeping and goat farming, and established a local foundation to ensure benefits remain within the community.
- Philippines: 6.9 hectares of mangrove habitat was restored, with over 17,000 seedlings planted and a thriving community nursery established. Wildlife surveys recorded more than 1,700 macroinvertebrates and 20 bird species, including the vulnerable Philippine Duck. Training and toolkits have empowered 22 local people, and sustainable fishery initiatives are underway.
- The Maldives: The #SeagrassIndustryLeaders Circle was launched, bringing together 17 leading resorts who pledged to protect at least 80% of their seagrass meadows—securing protection for over 100 hectares. The initiative has catalysed national policy development and widespread industry engagement.
- Greece: A proposal has been submitted to expand the Limnos Natura 2000 site, Greece’s largest seagrass bed of over 18,000 hectares, building on and bringing together multiple collaborative partnerships. Two years of mapping and engagement with local fishers, combined with new blue carbon data, are strengthening the case for long-term protection.
- Dutch Caribbean: 1,500 mangrove trees were planted in Bonaire, with and water flow improved through channel restoration. Data-driven monitoring and community events have built local stewardship and conservation awareness with 70 local volunteers and participants getting involved.
- Formentera: Over 53,000 Posidonia seagrass shoots were planted across 250 m², with 90% rooting success after six months. The project has pioneered restoration techniques, launched a high-profile marine conservation campaign, and built a coalition of local and international partners.
- Kenya: 13,000 native mangrove seedlings have been planted across 1.3 hectares. 30 community groups and 25 youth group members have been engaged, and joint patrols with local authorities have reduced illegal harvesting and supported biodiversity monitoring.
*TCS World Travel is a member of the Travelopia group of travel companies which has come together to partner with Blue Marine Foundation.