Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation

What Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation does

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire by co-founders Jen Kennedy and Dianna. The organization focuses on marine conservation in the Gulf of Maine, operating three core programmatic lines: (1) community-based beach cleanups and marine debris monitoring spanning Wells, ME to Plum Island, MA (348 cleanups at 44 sites with 4,145 volunteers removing 162,005 pieces of litter in 2023); (2) whale research and educational whale watches conducted aboard partner Granite State Whale Watch vessels in Rye, NH between mid-May and mid-October; and (3) marine education programs delivered through the Blue Ocean Discovery Center, a seasonal public facility at Hampton Beach, NH that served over 20,000 visitors annually by 2018. Additional specialized programs include microplastics research conducted with University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and NH Sea Grant, pelagic litter mapping during whale watches, and a fishing line recycling program.

The organization's core technology consists of standardized field-data methodologies (microplastics sampling and sorting for 1–5mm plastics; litter categorization including foams, fragments, films, filaments, pellets, and cigarette parts) and data infrastructure, with cleanup and microplastics data hosted on UNH-managed interactive dashboards and pelagic litter mapped via ArcGIS. While there is no proprietary software product, the accumulated 25-year longitudinal dataset on marine debris and whale sightings represents a distinctive analytical asset, particularly the multi-decade NH beach microplastics series.

Blue Ocean Society is funded principally by individual donations (85% of funding, tax-deductible under EIN 02-0523308), supplemented by corporate sponsorships (Liberty Mutual, Altria Client Services, Kennebunk Savings, Optima Bank), multi-year foundation and government grants (notably a $100,000+ share of a $2.7 million NOAA Marine Debris Program award, plus Howell Conservation Fund support), event-based fundraising (Comedy Night, Jazz Brunch, Fall Festival with Northwoods Brewing Co.), and merchandise/whale adoption sales through an online store. Customer and supporter segments span general public visitors and tourists, individual donors, schools and educational institutions, government agencies and research partners, and corporate volunteer and sponsorship partners. The organization is non-governmental and not publicly traded.

Name

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation

Legal name

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation

Website

https://blueoceansociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that conducts beach cleanups, whale research, and marine education in the Gulf of Maine, serving New England visitors, schools, donors, and government partners through community-based conservation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC)

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Beach cleanup services
• Whale research programs
• Marine education programs
• Marine debris monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Portsmouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The primary revenue source, with 85% of funding coming from concerned donors. Donations are tax-deductible (EIN 02-0523308) and accepted via the website, mail, and various methods including donor-advised funds, gifts of appreciated stock, and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs.
2. Whale Adoptions: Digital and physical whale adoption packages sold through the online store. Adopters receive sightings history, photos, and adoption certificates. Unique feature includes email notifications every time the adopted whale is sighted.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store sells apparel (sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats), whale adoption kits, and whale watch photos. All proceeds support marine conservation in the Gulf of Maine.
4. Corporate Sponsorships and Grants: Funding from corporate sponsors (Liberty Mutual, Altria Client Services, Kennebunk Savings, Optima Bank) and grants including a $2.7 million NOAA Marine Debris Program project. The organization receives over $100,000 over 3 years from the NOAA grant.
5. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from events such as Comedy Night, Jazz Brunch, and Fall Festival partnerships where organizations like Northwoods Brewing Co. donate a portion of proceeds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers marine conservation services in the Gulf of Maine, including organized beach cleanups with marine debris data collection, whale population research and naturalist-led whale watches, public marine education through the Blue Ocean Discovery Center and school programs, and microplastics research conducted with academic partners. The organization also operates a whale adoption program and an online merchandise store, with all activities supporting marine wildlife protection in the Gulf of Maine.

Product overview

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation operates a multi-faceted marine conservation organization focused on the Gulf of Maine. The core offerings include beach cleanups and marine debris research (conducting 300+ cleanups annually at 40+ sites), whale research and educational whale watches (with naturalists aboard partner vessels), and educational programs including the Blue Ocean Discovery Center visitor facility at Hampton Beach. Supporting programs include microplastics research with UNH/Sea Grant partners, pelagic litter mapping during whale watches, fishing line recycling, and a whale adoption program. The organization also maintains an online store for merchandise and adoptions. These programs work together to protect marine life through research, education, and community action.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Beach Cleanups and Marine Debris Research Organized community beach cleanups along the Gulf of Maine coastline that collect litter data and remove debris from beaches. In 2023, the program conducted 348 cleanups at 44 sites with 4,145 volunteers and removed over 162,000 pieces of litter. Open to the public and to corporate and school groups.
• Whale Watches Naturalist-led whale watches aboard Granite State Whale Watch vessels in Rye, NH from mid-May through mid-October. The program educates the public about marine life in the Gulf of Maine while collecting whale sighting and pelagic litter research data.
• Educational Programs School and group programs including visits to the Blue Ocean Discovery Center, classroom presentations, inflatable whale presentations, and experiential marine conservation education aligned to curriculum. Serves students and educators across New England.
• Blue Ocean Discovery Center Physical visitor center at 180 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, NH, near the Hampton Beach Casino Complex. Features observation tanks with marine animals including green crabs, sea stars, horseshoe crabs, and lobsters, touch tanks, and educational displays. Open daily mid-June through September and by appointment.
• Whale Research Program Research on whale populations in the Gulf of Maine documenting sightings and collecting data aboard whale watching vessels in partnership with Granite State Whale Watch. Tracks hundreds of whales annually, including named individuals such as Pinball, Flask, Satula, and Owl.
• Whale Adoptions Virtual and physical adoption packages for individual humpback, fin, and minke whales spotted in the Gulf of Maine. Adopters receive sightings history, photos, and adoption certificates, with email notifications sent every time the adopted whale is sighted.
• Microplastics Research and Data Dashboard Research collaboration with UNH Cooperative Extension and NH Sea Grant studying microplastics (1-5mm plastics) on New Hampshire beaches from Rye to Seabrook. Uses a standardized sampling methodology to collect sand samples, sieve for plastics, and categorize findings; data published via interactive ArcGIS dashboard.
• Pelagic Litter Research and Maps Records and maps litter sightings observed during whale watches in the Gulf of Maine, including balloon sightings, plastic bags, and other debris, to identify problem areas and educate the public about marine debris impacts.
• Fishing Line Recycling Program Provides fishing line recycling stations at local beaches and fishing locations to prevent ghost gear and marine debris from abandoned fishing equipment.
• Blue Ocean Society Online Store E-commerce platform at store.blueoceansociety.org selling apparel (sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats), whale adoption kits, and whale watch photos. All proceeds support marine conservation efforts in the Gulf of Maine.

Quantifiable outcome

• 162,005 pieces of litter removed in 2023 alone with 4,145 volunteers across 348 cleanups
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• University of New Hampshire Cooperative ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research partnership for marine debris studies. UNH hosts the cleanup data database and hosts microplastics data on interactive dashboards. Collaborated on Hooksett Disk Spill tracking and mapping.
• New Hampshire Sea GrantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for microplastics studies on New Hampshire beaches since 2013. Funded in part by Howell Conservation Fund. Dr. Gabriela Bradt from NHSG designed the microplastics sampling methodology.
• Granite State Whale WatchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary whale watching partner in Rye, NH. Blue Ocean Society provides naturalists and interns aboard their vessels for research and education. Season runs mid-May through mid-October.
• Center for Coastal StudiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead organization on $2.7 million NOAA Marine Debris Program grant. Blue Ocean Society receiving over $100,000 over 3 years to clean fishing gear debris at Isles of Shoals, Piscataqua River, and Great Bay.
• Gulf of Maine Lobster FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the New England Regional Fishing Gear Response and Removal Team coalition, managing the Gear Grab program along the Maine coast.
• OceansWidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine-based organization and partner in the fishing gear debris removal coalition with 70 years combined experience working on ghost gear issues.
• Rozalia Project for a Clean OceancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner providing sailing-based outreach and education from their 60' Oceanographic Sailing Research Vessel American Promise for ghost gear recovery on remote Maine islands.
• Net Your ProblemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle-based partner responsible for finding non-landfill disposal options for end-of-life fishing gear and beach debris as part of the regional coalition.
• NH Fish and GameminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for the fishing gear debris removal project in New Hampshire waters.
• Conservation Law Foundation Great Bay WaterkeeperminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner collaborating on marine debris removal in Great Bay and New Hampshire coastal waters.
• Shoals Marine LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for debris cleanup operations at the Isles of Shoals.
• NH Department of Environmental Services Coastal ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for coastal cleanup operations and the Hooksett Disk Spill response coordination.
• Ocean ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Coastal Cleanup organizer. Blue Ocean Society participates annually in this global beach cleanup initiative.
• Northwoods Brewing Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Fall Festival beneficiary. For every pint sold on event day, a dollar directly supports Blue Ocean Society conservation and research efforts.
• GoodWorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit neighbor at Carey Cottage, supporting and developing greater Seacoast nonprofits. Blue Ocean Society is anchor tenant alongside GoodWork.
• Chinburg BuildersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRestored historic Carey Cottage with support from an anonymous family foundation, making the space suitable for nonprofit tenants.
• Society for the Protection of New Hampshire ForestsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Creek Farm (35-acre forest reservation) where Carey Cottage is located. Received the property from Lillian Noel in 2000 as a conservation area.
• TerracycleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeach plastic recycling program partner. Litter collected at cleanups (such as Jenness Beach) is sent to Terracycle for recycling.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Oceana: Largest international ocean conservation advocacy organization. Comparable in marine conservation mission and policy advocacy, though operating globally with a research-and-policy model rather than field cleanup operations.
• New England Aquarium: Major New England marine education and conservation institution; comparable in marine education, cetacean research, and visitor-facing programming analogous to the Blue Ocean Discovery Center, but with a much larger facility and operating budget.
• Ocean Conservancy: National nonprofit that organizes the International Coastal Cleanup in which Blue Ocean Society participates annually. Comparable in advocacy, beach-cleanup coordination, and marine debris data collection, but at a national rather than regional scale.
• Surfrider Foundation: Beach-cleanup-driven coastal nonprofit with chapter-based volunteer programs across the U.S. Highly comparable grass-roots community cleanup model, though operating at a national chapter scale rather than a single-region footprint.

Others

• New Hampshire Sea Grant: NOAA-affiliated extension program at UNH and core research partner of Blue Ocean Society on microplastics sampling since 2013. Functions as a research collaborator and enabler rather than a competitor, but highly relevant as a peer in NH marine science.

Direct peers

• Shoals Marine Laboratory: UNH/Cornell-affiliated marine lab on the Isles of Shoals and named partner of Blue Ocean Society on debris cleanup operations. Comparable in Gulf of Maine marine research, education, and direct conservation operations.
• Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean: Coalition partner with Blue Ocean Society on the NOAA ghost gear removal coalition; runs sailing-based outreach and debris recovery from their 60' research vessel in the Gulf of Maine. Highly comparable mission and operations.
• Center for Coastal Studies: Provincetown, MA-based marine research and conservation nonprofit; lead organization on the $2.7M NOAA Marine Debris grant of which Blue Ocean Society is a partner. Closely comparable in coastal/marine research, debris removal, and whale research in the same New England region.
• Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation: Direct coalition partner with Blue Ocean Society on the New England Regional Fishing Gear Response coalition managing the Gear Grab program along the Maine coast. Overlapping on ghost gear, marine debris, and Gulf of Maine fisheries issues.

Emerging players

• Conservation Law Foundation: Regional environmental advocacy nonprofit operating a Great Bay Waterkeeper program that partners with Blue Ocean Society on marine debris removal. Comparable in advocacy and Great Bay / coastal NH issues, with a stronger legal/policy orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation