Our Mission
Oceans Initiative is a team of scientists on a mission to protect marine life and the ecosystems on which they depend, and to share our innovative science to guide conservation action.
Our Vision
Grounded in the Pacific Northwest, we are a respected, global conservation and research organization that delivers innovative science to conserve biodiversity and build resilience in the face of climate change. Our vision is a world with healthy ocean ecosystems that support marine life and sustain equitable human communities.
How we fulfill our mission
Oceans Initiative is a boundary-spanning organization working at the interface of science and policy. We conduct original science to complement the work of our campaigning NGO colleagues. Unlike pure research programs, we shepherd our science through to use in conservation decision-making.
Use-inspired, Policy-Relevant Science and Conservation
Oceans Initiative operates at the interface of science, conservation, and policy to engage in a use-inspired, collaborative approach to conducting research and communications. We identify data gaps and work to fill them in order to provide managers with the information they need to make brave, smart conservation decisions.
Stewardship of the Environment
We conduct science to support communities in their missions to protect their environment by providing accurate and trustworthy scientific information to those responsible for environmental policy-making and by communicating the science to enhance understanding and engagement.
Cost-effective and Attainable Science
We believe in using cost-effective methods to answer necessary questions to further marine conservation, while breaking down financial barriers to communities and countries with limited resources for conservation. We aim to put resources in places where it will do the most good to protect the most species.
Collaboration
We aim to engage meaningfully with science practitioners, partners, stakeholders, and community scientists to advance our knowledge and maximize the efficiency of our global conservation efforts to protect species. We bring the best minds together to generate innovative ideas together.
Field Biology Approach
We believe that our boots-on-the-ground approach keeps our science grounded in first-hand experience. By bearing witness to environmental problems, we are authentically qualified to advocate for evidence-based policy change. We immerse ourselves in studying marine animals in their natural environment.
