Chris Bone ~ CEO & Project Leader of Oceans Watch

OceansWatch is an international not-for-profit organisation that works with sailors, divers and scientists worldwide to help coastal communities conserve their marine environments, develop sustainable livelihoods and ensure access to primary schools.

OceansWatch offers resources, in the form of ocean-going research vessels and expertise, such as marine biologists, members training, project management and support crew.

Education

• To build partnerships between schools in developed and developing countries
• Support the yachting and diving communities in supplying schools with basic educational resources
• Provide educational materials to those schools in need
• Run courses on coral reef ecosystems

Humanitarian Aid

• OceansWatch wants to make a positive difference to the life of the people in coastal communities
• Aid projects can be a double-edged sword so our aim is to work for the people only at their request. We intend to build relationships with the locals and see where they feel their needs lie
• We will also look at the overall consequences of any aid.

Marine Conservation

Coral reefs are some of the most ancient and biologically diverse ecosystems that exist on earth. They serve an important role to coastal communities as a source of seafood, to generate income from tourism and to provide a buffer against storms. Many reefs have already been destroyed and understanding the state of health for the rest is in its infancy.

Our vision is for there to be long term sustainable fisheries for coastal communities in developing countries and wider scale megafauna protection.

International Head Office is in New Zealand with an Office in North America.

Focus up until now has been in Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the Niue Islands.

www.oceanswatch.org