Marine Conservation Institute

What Marine Conservation Institute does

Marine Conservation Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 and headquartered at 14301 Arnold Drive, Suite 25, Glen Ellen, California, dedicated to securing permanent, strong protection for the ocean's most ecologically important places. It operates an integrated portfolio of science-based programs: the Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas), an interactive global mapping platform that tracks the quality, coverage, and effectiveness of marine protected areas; the Blue Parks certification initiative, which applies a proprietary science-based standard to evaluate and recognize MPAs meeting the highest effectiveness thresholds; and the Blue Sparks program for MPAs showing emerging promise. As of April 2024 the organization had awarded 30 Blue Park designations globally, with six new awards announced at the 2026 Our Ocean Conference. Supporting programs include the High Seas Protection Portal (focused on areas beyond national jurisdiction under the BBNJ Treaty framework), the MPA Workforce Survey, the Seamountaineers' Pledge campaign for California seamounts, and a multi-issue Ocean Advocacy program covering 30x30 targets, deep-sea mining, Pacific marine monuments, and climate change.

The Institute generates revenue exclusively through tax-deductible contributions — individual one-time and recurring giving (including the "Ocean Guardian" monthly membership), planned/bequests, corporate sponsorships, peer-to-peer fundraising, donor-advised funds, the 1% for the Planet program, and a dedicated Blue Parks Conservation Fund. It serves a diverse stakeholder base spanning individual conservation supporters, national and international government agencies responsible for MPA designation, partner NGOs (Marine Applied Research and Exploration, SeaLegacy, Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, Mission Blue, Migramar, and others), and corporate partners such as Sallaum Lines. Geographic footprint is global, with documented engagement in the United States, Ecuador (Galápagos), Kenya, Australia, Chile, Madagascar, Senegal, and Canada. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by a small staff (11–50 employees) headed by President Dr. Lance Morgan, with Mike Gravitz as Director of Policy & Legislation, Samuel Georgian as Marine Biogeographer, and Maria Lopez Bringuier as Communications and Public Relations Coordinator.

The Institute's go-to-market is community-led and advocacy-driven: it combines science publication, an annual Blue Park Awards cycle tied to international conferences (Our Ocean Conference, UN Ocean Conference, IMPAC), the On the Tide blog, social media across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky, email newsletters, petition campaigns via the Only.One platform, and direct engagement with policymakers to influence legislation and designation decisions. Documented advocacy outcomes include NOAA's rejection of an expansion of the rock shrimp bottom trawl fishery off Florida, protecting Oculina coral habitat, and coalition-driven campaigns supporting a proposed 445,953 km² expansion of the Galápagos Marine Reserve.

Name

Marine Conservation Institute

Legal name

Marine Conservation Institute

Website

https://marine-conservation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marine Conservation Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 that develops science-based tools (MPAtlas) and the Blue Parks certification program to identify, evaluate, and advocate for strong protection of ecologically important marine protected areas worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Marine protected areas
• Ocean advocacy
• Marine biodiversity protection
• Conservation science

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization accepts one-time and recurring donations from individual supporters. Monthly giving program available through 'Give Monthly' option. Donors can become Ocean Guardians through recurring contributions.
2. Planned Giving: Bequests and legacy giving programs allowing supporters to include the institute in their estate planning.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships and sponsorships for conservation programs and events.
4. Memorial & Commemorative Gifts: Donations made in honor or memory of individuals, often marking special occasions.
5. Peer-to-Peer Campaigns: Special fundraising campaigns supporters can run on behalf of the organization.
6. Donor Advised Funds: Accepts contributions through donor advised fund programs.
7. 1% for the Planet: Participates in the 1% for the Planet initiative, receiving contributions from member companies.
8. Blue Parks Conservation Fund: Dedicated fund for Blue Parks initiative supporting marine protected areas.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Marine Conservation Institute is a nonprofit organization that identifies and advocates for the protection of vulnerable ocean ecosystems worldwide. It delivers the Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas), an interactive global mapping platform tracking marine protected area quality and coverage, and runs the Blue Parks science-based certification program recognizing highly effective marine protected areas. Its work combines data tools, standards development, advocacy campaigns, scientific publications, and coalition-building to advance global ocean conservation targets such as 30x30.

Product overview

Marine Conservation Institute operates a portfolio of interconnected conservation programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas), an interactive data platform tracking global marine protection; the Blue Parks certification program recognizing effective marine protected areas; and the Blue Sparks early-stage recognition program. Supporting these are advocacy campaigns (including the Seamountaineers' Pledge), a High Seas Protection Portal, and Scientific Reports and Publications. The organization functions as a nonprofit providing tools, standards, and advocacy for ocean conservation rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blue Parks: A science-based initiative that provides blueprints for protected area effectiveness, incentivizes conservation excellence, and unites the ocean's best protected places in a strategic network.
• MPAtlas (Marine Protection Atlas)
• Blue Sparks
• Seamountaineers
• Global Ocean Refuge

Products and services

• Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas) Interactive web-based platform that tracks and evaluates the quality, coverage, and effectiveness of marine protection on a global scale, helping nations and the world reach international conservation commitments. Accessible to anyone globally for exploring marine protected area data with data download capabilities.
• Blue Parks Certification Program Science-based initiative providing standards for marine protected area effectiveness, incentivizing conservation excellence, and uniting highly effective protected areas in a strategic global network to save marine biodiversity. Recognizes MPAs meeting the Blue Park Standard.
• High Seas Protection Portal Resource hub providing information and advocacy tools for protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), supporting implementation of the BBNJ Treaty.
• Seamountaineers' Pledge Campaign Public pledge campaign inviting individuals to take action to protect California's seamounts through advocacy and public engagement, with a downloadable supporter badge for donors contributing $20 or more.
• Scientific Reports and Publications Collection of peer-reviewed research, analysis, and publications supporting fully and highly protected marine areas, including research featuring the Marine Protection Atlas.
• Blue Sparks Recognition Program Recognition program for marine protected areas and conservation proposals that show promise but have not yet fully met the Blue Park Standard, representing emerging excellence in marine conservation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 Blue Parks awarded globally meeting highest science-based conservation standards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Edges of Earth Expedition TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2024Key partnership announced March 2024 to expand the Blue Parks initiative through expedition documentation and global outreach.
• Sallaum LinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2024Partnership to support Inhambane Bay Community Conservation Network (IBCCCN) in Mozambique, providing corporate sponsorship for local conservation efforts.
• Marine Applied Research and Exploration (MARE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership started in 2018 to explore and protect vulnerable deep-sea corals off the coast of California. MARE provides ROV technology and expertise while Marine Conservation Institute provides scientific guidance and advocacy support for protecting deep-sea habitats.
• SeaLegacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Galápagos expansion coalition calling for urgent action to expand protections for marine life surrounding the Galápagos Marine Reserve.
• The Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint coalition partner for Galápagos marine protection expansion efforts.
• Mission BluecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of coalition calling for expanded protections around Galápagos Marine Reserve.
• Only OnecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Only.One platform for public petition campaigns supporting marine protection initiatives including Galápagos expansion.
• MasGalapagoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcuadorian partner organization in coalition for Galápagos marine protection expansion.
• MigramarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine conservation network partner focused on migratory marine species in the Galápagos coalition.
• Pacífico LibrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Galápagos marine protection expansion coalition.
• Tropical HerpingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner in Galápagos marine protection expansion coalition.
• The Leatherback ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on leatherback turtle conservation in Galápagos expansion efforts.
• Mare NostrumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine conservation organization partner in Galápagos protection coalition.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Oceana: Oceana is the largest international ocean-focused advocacy organization, running policy campaigns on marine protection, overfishing, and pollution. It is highly comparable to Marine Conservation Institute in mission and constituency (individual donors, policymakers, governments) but operates at substantially larger scale with broader issue coverage.
• The Nature Conservancy: TNC runs extensive ocean conservation programs globally, including mapping, MPA design, and policy advocacy. Both organizations pursue science-based marine protection and are partners in the broader ocean conservation ecosystem, though TNC is materially larger and broader.
• Environmental Defense Fund - Oceans: EDF's oceans program is a leading marine conservation and fisheries advocacy organization using science and economics to drive ocean policy. It is comparable in policy/advocacy approach and pursues similar science-based MPA and fishery governance outcomes.
• World Wildlife Fund - Oceans: WWF's oceans program is one of the largest marine conservation efforts globally, working on MPAs, sustainable fisheries, and ocean governance. Both organizations are prominent voices in international ocean policy and participate in shared forums like the UN Ocean Conference.
• Conservation International: Conservation International operates marine conservation programs globally, including Blue Halo, Blue Carbon, and ocean policy advocacy. Both organizations pursue science-based marine protection with similar donor/constituency bases.
• Pew Charitable Trusts - Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Program: Pew's Ocean Legacy program is a leading funder and coalition partner for large-scale marine protected area creation, including the Galápagos expansion coalition alongside Marine Conservation Institute. Both organizations pursue science-based designation and protection of high-profile MPAs globally.

Direct peers

• Mission Blue: Mission Blue operates the Hope Spot network, which is a directly analogous MPA recognition program to Marine Conservation Institute's Blue Parks. Both organizations designate and promote globally recognized marine protected areas and partner in coalitions (e.g., Galápagos).
• National Geographic Society - Pristine Seas: National Geographic's Pristine Seas program is a leading global MPA designation and documentation initiative combining scientific expeditions, advocacy, and coalition-building. It is highly comparable to Marine Conservation Institute in advocating for and supporting new MPAs and has collaborated on MPAtlas-related work.
• SeaLegacy: SeaLegacy is a direct coalition partner with Marine Conservation Institute on the Galápagos expansion and other ocean protection campaigns. Both organizations combine scientific advocacy with visual storytelling to drive marine protected area creation.
• Blue Marine Foundation: Blue Marine Foundation is a UK-based ocean conservation NGO focused on creating marine reserves and addressing overfishing. It is highly comparable in mission and methodology to Marine Conservation Institute, with similar science-based marine protection advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/savingoceans
• Facebookfacebook.com/MarineConservationInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marine-conservation-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/savingoceans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Marine Conservation Institute