Living Oceans Society

What Living Oceans Society does

Living Oceans Society is a Canadian nonprofit environmental organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in West Vancouver, British Columbia, with an additional office in Sointula on BC's Central Coast. The organization's mission is the protection of Canada's Pacific coast oceans and marine ecosystems, pursued through seven advocacy initiative programs: Ocean Planning, Energy and Climate Change, Salmon Farming, Ocean Ecosystems, Sustainable Seafood, Ocean Acidification, and Clear the Coast. Its constituent base includes environmentally concerned members of the public, government policymakers, and Indigenous coastal communities, particularly First Nations in the Broughton Archipelago region.

The organization operates an in-house GIS mapping team that produces proprietary cartographic products, including maps of marine debris locations, salmon farm tenures, oil spill models, and marine protected areas such as the Great Bear Sea. These maps can be commissioned by external parties for a fee, representing an emerging commercial service line. Supporting products include an extensive library of scientific reports and publications, an annual Ocean Exposures photo contest, and the Return-It for the Ocean beverage container donation program. The organization's revenue is derived from individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships, with no publicly disclosed financials. Strategic partnerships with 'Namgis, Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis, and Mamalilikulla First Nations, as well as membership in the Pacific Marine Conservation Caucus, have positioned the organization as an influential voice in marine policy, including the phase-out of open-net salmon farms in the Broughton Archipelago and the February 2026 Federal Court of Appeal ruling upholding the Discovery Islands ban.

Name

Living Oceans Society

Legal name

Living Oceans Society

Website

https://livingoceans.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Living Oceans Society is a Canadian nonprofit founded in 1998 that protects Canada's Pacific coast through seven advocacy programs, in-house GIS mapping, and First Nations partnerships on salmon farm phase-outs and marine conservation policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Advocacy

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Marine conservation advocacy
• Ocean ecosystem protection
• Wild salmon preservation
• Marine debris cleanup
• Sustainable fisheries advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Sointula

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations from Individuals and Organizations: Living Oceans Society raises funds through individual donations and corporate sponsorships. The organization states that generous support from people and companies helps fund their ocean protection work.
2. Photo Contest Sponsorships: The annual Ocean Exposures Photo Contest is supported by numerous local and regional businesses that provide prize packages, creating a network of sponsors and community partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Living Oceans Society is a nonprofit that runs seven marine conservation advocacy initiatives covering ocean planning, energy and climate change, salmon farming, ocean ecosystems, sustainable seafood, ocean acidification, and marine debris cleanup on Canada's Pacific coast. It supports these initiatives with an in-house GIS mapping team that produces custom maps, an annual Ocean Exposures photo contest, a library of scientific reports and publications, and donation programs such as Return-it for the Ocean.

Product overview

Living Oceans Society is a non-profit environmental organization offering a portfolio of advocacy programs rather than a unified technology product. Its core offerings include seven initiative programs focused on ocean conservation (Ocean Planning, Energy and Climate Change, Salmon Farming, Ocean Ecosystems, Sustainable Seafood, Ocean Acidification, and Clear the Coast). Supporting offerings include GIS mapping services for marine research, an annual Ocean Exposures photo contest, an extensive library of scientific reports and publications, and the Return-it for the Ocean donation program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ocean Planning Initiative Community-based ocean planning program focused on marine protected areas and sustainable use of ocean resources, for environmentally concerned Canadians, policymakers, and coastal communities.
• Energy and Climate Change Initiative Campaign addressing climate change impacts on coastlines and advocating for reduced oil tanker traffic, for environmentally concerned Canadians and policymakers.
• Salmon Farming Initiative Campaign advocating for removal of open-net salmon farms to protect wild salmon populations, for environmentally concerned Canadians, First Nations, and policymakers.
• Ocean Ecosystems Initiative Program protecting marine habitats and biodiversity including corals, sponges, and endangered species, for environmentally concerned Canadians and policymakers.
• Sustainable Seafood Initiative Campaign promoting sustainable fishing practices and seafood certification awareness, for environmentally concerned Canadians and seafood consumers.
• Ocean Acidification Initiative Program addressing ocean acidification as a climate change impact on marine ecosystems, for environmentally concerned Canadians and policymakers.
• Clear the Coast Program Marine debris cleanup initiative mapping and removing pollution from British Columbia's remote coastlines, for environmentally concerned Canadians and coastal communities.
• GIS Mapping Services Geographic Information Systems team creates custom maps for public education and research, including salmon farm tenures, oil spill models, and marine protected areas; maps can be commissioned for a fee.
• Ocean Exposures Photo Contest Annual photography contest encouraging conservation imagery of Canada's coasts, with categories for Below the Surface, Coastal Wildlife, and Working or Playing on the Ocean, for environmentally engaged photographers and supporters.
• Reports and Publications Extensive library of scientific reports and publications covering salmon farming, oil spills, sustainable seafood, and marine conservation topics, freely available to the public, policymakers, and researchers.
• Return-it for the Ocean! Partnership with Return-It beverage container recycling program allowing donors to redirect refunds from refundable beverage containers to Living Oceans Society through the Return-It App.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Namgis First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2018Partnership with the 'Namgis, Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis and Mamalilikulla First Nations for the Broughton Archipelago Transition Initiative. The Agreement provides for the orderly phase-out of salmon farms in the Broughton Archipelago, with First Nations playing a lead role in monitoring and scientific analysis of farm operations. This agreement put UNDRIP principles to work, acknowledging First Nations rights to informed consent and management of their territories.
• Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2018Partnership with 'Namgis, Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis and Mamalilikulla First Nations for the Broughton Archipelago Transition Initiative to phase out salmon farms.
• Mamalilikulla First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2018Partnership with 'Namgis, Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis and Mamalilikulla First Nations for the Broughton Archipelago Transition Initiative to phase out salmon farms.
• Pacific Salmon FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced in news about protecting fish in Vancouver Island rivers, where Jason Hwang serves as chief program officer. Collaborates on salmon protection issues.
• Pacific Marine Conservation CaucuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiving Oceans Society is part of the Pacific Marine Conservation Caucus (MCC), a coalition that welcomed federal investment in Pacific salmon. The MCC signals strong commitment to rebuilding salmon populations and protecting ecosystems.
• British Columbia Provincial GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned a historic Letter of Understanding in June 2018 with coastal First Nations for the phase-out of salmon farms in the Broughton Archipelago.
• Spirit of the West AdventuresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCategory Sponsor for Sea Huggers' Choice in the Ocean Exposures 2025 Photo Contest. Provides kayak touring adventure prize package.
• VanillablossomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCategory Sponsor for Coastal Wildlife and contributes vanilla products to prize packages in the Ocean Exposures 2025 Photo Contest.
• Prince of WhalesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Ocean Exposures 2025 Photo Contest, providing a Victoria sunset adventure for two as part of the Working or Playing on the Ocean First Prize.
• Andrew S. WrightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation photographer and judge for the Ocean Exposures Photo Contest 2025. Has published photography books arguing for increased environmental stewardship in BC and played a lead technical role in the Namgis land-based salmon aquaculture project (Kuterra).
• Return-It ExpressminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThrough the Return-It for the Ocean! campaign, Living Oceans receives donations from refundable beverage containers. Users can donate proceeds to Living Oceans through the Return-It App.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Hakai Institute: Hakai Institute conducts marine and coastal research on BC's coast, publishing open-access data on salmon, oceanography, and ecosystems. Comparable in subject matter and geography but emphasizes scientific research over advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• WWF-Canada: WWF-Canada is a major conservation organization with active marine and ocean programs on both coasts. Comparable advocacy and donor-supported model, but operates at far larger scale and broader mandate than Living Oceans' BC-only focus.
• David Suzuki Foundation: David Suzuki Foundation is a much larger Canadian environmental nonprofit with broad mandate including oceans, climate, and biodiversity. Comparable as a donation-funded advocacy peer but operates nationally across many issue areas, not specialized to marine conservation.

Direct peers

• Ecojustice: Ecojustice is Canada's largest environmental law charity, frequently litigating on salmon farming and marine protection cases. Comparable in leveraging legal advocacy for marine conservation outcomes and overlapping donor base.
• Sierra Club BC: Sierra Club BC is a provincial environmental nonprofit advocating for old-growth forests, climate, and marine protection. Comparable grassroots advocacy model and BC-focused mandate with policy and litigation components.
• Raincoast Conservation Foundation: Raincoast is a BC-based conservation nonprofit focused on wild salmon, marine ecosystems, and coastal predator-pre science on the Pacific coast. Comparable in geography, mission, and scientific advocacy orientation.
• Oceana Canada: Oceana Canada is a marine conservation advocacy nonprofit focused exclusively on Canadian ocean policy, including salmon farming, marine protected areas, and sustainable fisheries. Direct peer given overlapping Pacific coast mandate and similar advocacy-driven, donation-funded model.
• Pacific Wild: Pacific Wild is a BC-based conservation nonprofit focused on the Great Bear Rainforest and coastal ecosystems, including salmon habitat and marine protection. Comparable grassroots advocacy model and geographic footprint on BC's coast.
• Georgia Strait Alliance: Georgia Strait Alliance is a BC nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring the Salish Sea, including marine habitat and pollution issues. Direct peer in coastal BC marine advocacy with similar donor-funded community engagement approach.
• CPAWS-BC (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter): CPAWS-BC advocates for protected areas and conservation on BC's coast and interior, including marine protected areas. Direct peer in BC conservation advocacy, with similar reliance on policy outcomes and grassroots mobilization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/living_oceans
• Facebookfacebook.com/livingoceans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/living-oceans-society

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Living Oceans Society