Ocean Wise
Ocean Wise is a Vancouver-based nonprofit conservation organization addressing plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change through research (Plastics Lab, Pollution Tracker), citizen science (WhaleReport, Shoreline Cleanup), sustainable seafood certification (750+ partners), and youth education programs across Canada, USA, Mexico, and Chile.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ocean Wise does
Ocean Wise Conservation Association is a Vancouver-based nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1951, registered as a Canadian charity (BN 11928-2119-RR0001) and US 501(c)(3) (98-0050185). It addresses three ocean challenges — plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change — through three interconnected program verticals: research (Plastics Lab with FTIR microplastics analysis, Pollution Tracker with 10 years of contaminant data across 90+ BC coastal sites, Seaforestation kelp restoration); citizen science and education (Shoreline Cleanup since 1994 with 30K+ participants, WhaleReport Alert System with 10,000+ vessel alerts dispatched via hydrophone and IR sensor integration, Ocean Wise Sightings Network with 300,000+ verified reports from ~7,700 observers, Sea Dome mobile education unit); and sustainable sourcing plus youth development (Ocean Wise Seafood certification program with 750+ retail partners; Youth to Sea, Ocean Bridge, Eco-Action Accelerator, Mountains to Ocean STEM camp).
The technology stack is sensor-and-data-centric rather than software-platform-centric: citizen-science mobile apps (WhaleReport on iOS/Android), research instrumentation (FTIR, hydrophones from JASCO Applied Sciences and SMRU Consulting, infrared WhaleSpotter), and direct application partnerships with apparel industry players (Arc'teryx, Patagonia, Aritzia) and outdoor retailers (REI, MEC). Revenue comes predominantly from donations and philanthropy, supplemented by corporate partnerships/sponsorships (Loblaw, SC Johnson, Tru Earth, HCLTech) and modest program fees such as the $450/week Mountains to Ocean STEM camp.
Customer concentration risk is structurally low by design: revenue is fragmented across individual donors, 750+ certified seafood partners, ~7,700 citizen science observers, and a portfolio of corporate sponsors and government funders. Strategic priorities currently include geographic expansion within Canada (Quebec Sea Dome tour 2025), international expansion into Mexico and Chile, and supply-chain research partnerships aimed at textile microfiber pollution and Indigenous-led coastal monitoring (Council of the Haida Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority).
Ocean Wise firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ocean Wise
- Legal name
- Ocean Wise Conservation Association
- Website
- https://ocean.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Ocean Wise is a Vancouver-based nonprofit conservation organization addressing plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change through research (Plastics Lab, Pollution Tracker), citizen science (WhaleReport, Shoreline Cleanup), sustainable seafood certification (750+ partners), and youth education programs across Canada, USA, Mexico, and Chile.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ocean Wise industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ocean Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Seafood & Aquaculture Certification Services (MSC/ASC/BAP) (AFALAMAL)
Keywords
Where Ocean Wise is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ocean Wise business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations, monthly giving programs, and bequests from supporters. The organization is registered as a Canadian charity (11928-2119-RR0001) and US 501(c)(3) nonprofit (98-0050185).
- Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Cause-marketing initiatives, corporate sponsorships, and employer engagement programs where businesses partner with Ocean Wise for sustainability objectives.
- Youth Program Fees: Fee-based programs including Mountains to Ocean camp at $450/week per child, providing funding for staffing, admission fees, and guided excursions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One-time | Mountains to Ocean: Pathways in STEM Camp - $450 per week per child |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ocean Wise product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ocean Wise is a global nonprofit conservation organization that addresses three major ocean challenges — plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change — through a portfolio of research programs (Plastics Lab, Pollution Tracker, Seaforestation), citizen science platforms (Shoreline Cleanup, WhaleReport Alert System, Sightings Network), sustainable seafood certification with 750+ partners, and youth education initiatives. The organization sells no physical products; its offerings consist of conservation programs, certification services, scientific research outputs, and educational experiences.
Product overview
Ocean Wise is a global conservation organization operating a diverse portfolio of interconnected programs focused on three major ocean challenges: plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change. The organization combines research programs (Plastics Lab, Pollution Tracker, Seaforestation), citizen science platforms (Shoreline Cleanup, WhaleReport Alert System, Ocean Wise Sightings Network), and youth education initiatives (Youth to Sea, Eco-Action Accelerator, Mountains to Ocean). Key programs include the Ocean Wise Seafood sustainable sourcing partnership with 750+ partners, the Microfiber Partnership industry collaboration, and mobile education through the Sea Dome. The WhaleReport Alert System provides real-time whale sighting alerts to ships to prevent collisions, while the Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program supports conservation research.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ocean Bridge: Youth program bringing together young Canadians passionate about ocean and waterway conservation through an online platform and in-person learning journeys
- Youth to Sea
- Shoreline Cleanup
- Whale Report Alert System
- Plastics Lab
- Ocean Wise Seafood
- Seaforestation
- Eco-Action Accelerator
- Ocean Pathways
- Mountains to Ocean
- Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program
Products and services
- Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup Citizen science cleanup program enabling volunteers worldwide to remove litter from shorelines while collecting standardized pollution data; free for community participants.
- Plastics Lab
- Pollution Tracker Long-running research program documenting contaminant levels in BC coastal sediments and mussels at 90+ sites, producing public datasets on 550+ contaminants of concern.
- WhaleReport Alert System (WRAS) Real-time whale sighting reporting and alerting system that sends alerts to commercial vessel operators to prevent collisions with whales.
- Microfiber Partnership Industry-research collaboration with apparel companies and government agencies to research and address microfiber pollution from textiles; includes Arc'teryx, Patagonia, REI, MEC, Aritzia, Loblaw, and SC Johnson as partners.
- Ocean Wise Seafood Program Sustainable seafood certification and partnership program with 750+ partners (restaurants, retailers, fish markets) selling Ocean Wise certified sustainable seafood globally.
- Youth to Sea 5-month hands-on service-learning program for Canadian youth ages 15-18 focused on ocean conservation knowledge and personal skill development.
- Eco-Action Accelerator 16-week microgrant program for Canada Service Corps alumni to scale ocean and environment-related service projects.
- Mountains to Ocean: Pathways in STEM Camp Week-long adventure and STEM camp for youth ages 13-15 exploring land and ocean ecosystems in BC with Indigenous knowledge sharing; priced at $450/week per child.
- Seaforestation Kelp forest restoration initiative supporting coastal communities, improving marine habitat, and capturing carbon by cultivating and planting kelp at the Pacific Science Enterprise Centre.
- Whale Trail BC Interactive trail of whale watching sites along the Salish Sea and Pacific coast of British Columbia, supporting public education and whale conservation engagement.
- Ocean Wise Sea Dome Portable immersive 360-degree ocean experience brought to schools, camps, and community events with marine artifacts and interactive activities; currently touring Quebec in 2025.
- Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program Symbolic adoption program established in 1992 to support conservation research on wild killer whales; donations fund ongoing research.
- Whale Report App Mobile application (iOS/Android) for public reporting of whale, dolphin, porpoise, and sea turtle sightings to contribute to marine conservation research.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000+ whale collision avoidance alerts sent to ships
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ocean Wise
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ocean Wise technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Ocean Wise partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The 5 Gyres InstitutecoreCollaborative research partnership conducting studies on microfiber pollution from dryers. 5 Gyres conducted controlled laboratory tests evaluating secondary dryer filter efficacy in collaboration with Ocean Wise researchers in Vancouver, B.C.
- Arc'teryxcoreApparel partner providing textile samples and funding for Ocean Wise microfiber pollution research. Arc'teryx is implementing research findings into their design process, textiles development, and manufacturing practices.
- PatagoniacoreFunding partner supporting Ocean Wise microfiber partnership research on textile shedding and pollution solutions.
- REIcoreFunding partner supporting Ocean Wise microfiber partnership research on textile shedding and pollution solutions.
- MECcoreFunding partner supporting Ocean Wise microfiber partnership research on textile shedding and pollution solutions.
- Environment and Climate Change CanadacoreGovernment funding partner supporting Ocean Wise microfiber partnership research on textile shedding and pollution solutions.
- Metro VancouvercoreRegional government partner funding Ocean Wise microfiber partnership research on textile shedding and pollution solutions.
- AritziaminorApparel company partner supporting Ocean Wise microplastics research and pollution mitigation initiatives.
- LoblawminorRetail partner supporting Ocean Wise microplastics research and pollution mitigation initiatives.
- SC JohnsonminorConsumer goods company partner supporting Ocean Wise microplastics research and pollution mitigation initiatives.
- JASCO Applied SciencescoreTechnology partner providing hydrophone networks that detect whale vocalizations, feeding into the WhaleReport Alert System for real-time commercial vessel alerts.
- SMRU ConsultingcoreTechnology partner providing hydrophone networks that detect whale vocalizations, feeding into the WhaleReport Alert System for real-time commercial vessel alerts.
- Council of the Haida NationcoreFirst Nations partner providing financial support and collaboration for Pollution Tracker research in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.
- Tsleil-Waututh NationcoreFirst Nations partner providing financial support and collaboration for Pollution Tracker contaminant research along BC coast.
- Vancouver Fraser Port AuthoritycorePort authority partner providing financial support and collaboration for Pollution Tracker research and Burrard Inlet water quality monitoring.
- Girl Up USAminorYouth empowerment organization collaborating on second annual Shoreline Cleanup Day of Action for Earth Day 2025, providing small grants to 20 young leaders across 12 US states.
- Tru EarthcoreFounding sponsor for Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup program in the United States, supporting community-based cleanup initiatives.
- Peace Boat USminorInternational youth education organization working on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, collaborating on ocean conservation activities and youth programs.
- Camp FircomminorHost venue on Gambier Island, BC for Eco-Action Accelerator retreat program, located in the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation.
- Earth Echo InternationalminorProvides water quality testing kits used in youth education programs, with data submitted to ODIS database as part of UN Ocean Decade.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ocean Wise competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Oceana: Oceana is the world's largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization, running global campaigns on overfishing, plastic pollution, and marine habitat protection. Comparable to Ocean Wise in mission focus on the three ocean challenges Ocean Wise targets, but operating at a materially larger international scale and budget.
- Marine Stewardship Council: MSC is the global leader in sustainable seafood certification, with the MSC eco-label widely used in retail and foodservice. Ocean Wise's 750+ seafood partner network competes directly for the same retailer and restaurant sustainable-seafood certification partnerships that MSC anchors.
- WWF-Canada: WWF-Canada is the Canadian affiliate of the World Wildlife Fund, operating marine conservation programs on Pacific salmon, oceans, and species at risk. Directly comparable as a Canada-headquartered marine conservation nonprofit competing for the same corporate and individual donor base.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: Monterey Bay Aquarium runs the Seafood Watch program, a leading sustainable seafood guidance system with comparable restaurant/retailer partnership model. Also conducts ocean conservation research, youth education, and exhibits — overlapping with Ocean Wise across multiple program verticals.
- Greenpeace Canada: Greenpeace runs high-profile campaigns on oceans, plastic pollution, and climate change, with a strong Canada-based donor base. Comparable as a Canada-active marine conservation nonprofit competing for the same individual donor and youth-engagement audiences.
Direct peers
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Sea Shepherd runs direct-action marine conservation campaigns including whale and marine mammal protection, plastic cleanup, and fisheries enforcement. Comparable as a peer marine conservation nonprofit operating across similar ocean challenges and engaging citizens in conservation work.
- The 5 Gyres Institute: 5 Gyres is a nonprofit focused on plastic pollution research and microfiber studies, including a confirmed research partnership with Ocean Wise on dryer filter efficacy. Closely aligned mission on microplastic source-and-fate research and apparel industry engagement.
- Surfrider Foundation: Surfrider Foundation runs a global network of volunteer-led beach cleanups and water quality testing, with a chapter structure analogous to Ocean Wise's Shoreline Cleanup and citizen science programs. Directly comparable grassroots coastal conservation model.
- EarthEcho International: EarthEcho International is a youth-focused ocean conservation nonprofit providing water quality testing kits used in ODIS/UN Ocean Decade programs — confirmed Ocean Wise partner. Closely aligned youth ocean education and citizen science mission.
Regional players
- Aquarium of the Pacific: Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA runs Pacific-focused ocean conservation programs, sustainable seafood initiatives, and youth education. Comparable as a Pacific-coast aquarium-based conservation nonprofit with overlapping research and education programs, though US-based rather than Canadian.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ocean Wise social profiles
Digital presenceOcean Wise financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ocean Wise leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Ocean Wise funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ocean Wise M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ocean Wise
What does Ocean Wise do?
Ocean Wise is a global nonprofit conservation organization that addresses three major ocean challenges — plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change — through a portfolio of research programs (Plastics Lab, Pollution Tracker, Seaforestation), citizen science platforms (Shoreline Cleanup, WhaleReport Alert System, Sightings Network), sustainable seafood certification with 750+ partners, and youth education initiatives. The organization sells no physical products; its offerings consist of conservation programs, certification services, scientific research outputs, and educational experiences.
Is Ocean Wise a public or private company?
Ocean Wise is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ocean Wise founded?
Ocean Wise was founded in 1994. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Ocean Wise based?
Ocean Wise is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Ocean Wise make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships and youth Program Fees.
Who are Ocean Wise's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Oceana, Marine Stewardship Council, WWF-Canada, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Greenpeace Canada. Direct peers are Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, The 5 Gyres Institute, Surfrider Foundation and EarthEcho International. Aquarium of the Pacific is listed as a regional player.
Does Ocean Wise have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ocean Wise.
What industry is Ocean Wise in?
Ocean Wise's product category is Ocean Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management. Its NAICS code is 54162.