WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ocean Conservancy is marking its 50^th anniversary today with 5 public calls-to-action.

“The best way to celebrate the past is to lean into the future with action,” said Ocean Conservancy CEO Janis Searles Jones. “These actions can be as varied as starting a conversation about the ocean with a friend to joining Ocean Conservancy for a coastal clean-up.”

To celebrate its fifth decade, the organization suggested five actions the public can take that spell “ocean”:

• Open an ocean conversation. The shared love of the ocean is a great conversation-starter to tell people about Ocean Conservancy and what we do to protect our ocean.
• Check the candidates. Whether it’s climate crisis, ocean plastics or ocean justice, it’s not too early to find out where the candidates stand on the ocean issues that matter to you.
• Enjoy the ocean. It’s awesome and has something for all.
• Act for the ocean. Join us at 2022 International Coastal Cleanup^® to #SeatheChange.
• Now’s the time to think about conserving our ocean for generations to come. By acting now, we can change the future.

Ocean Conservancy plans to release 45 more actions this anniversary year, with something for everyone to get involved in the conservation of our ocean.

Since 1972, the organization has maintained a singular focus on protecting our ocean, its wildlife and the communities that depend on it. Highlights include:

• Engaging generations through a shared love for the ocean to protect whales, clean up beaches, and persuade their elected representatives that the ocean matters.
• Bringing the ocean to the center of international discussions on climate solutions.
• Protecting vital habitat and ecosystems through efforts like the state-wide network of protected areas in California and the largest no-fishing area in the world in the Arctic Ocean.
• Committing to the fair and equitable distribution of both the benefits of the ocean’s bounty and the burdens of its complex care.
• Championing legislation including the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Oil Pollution Act, the Marine Debris Act, amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Engaging more than 17 million people to tackle 350 million pounds of ocean trash through the International Coastal Cleanup and Trash Free Seas^®.
• Holding BP and its partners financially accountable to the tune of $20.8 billion for the environmental damage settlement after the BP Deepwater Horizon
• Leading in the recovery of important marine species like whales, sea turtles, seals and dolphins.

“It’s great to have an opportunity to reflect on 50 years of impact,” noted Jones. “Thinking about how far we have come also illuminates just how much more we must do for the ocean now and in the future. In shaping that future, everyone has a role to play.”

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NOTES TO EDITOR:

• The CEO and other Ocean Conservancy experts are available to comment.
• The 2022 International Coastal Cleanup takes place this year on Saturday, September 17, 2022. More information here.
• High resolution images to support this release are available for media use in this folder.

Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.