Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition is a nonprofit coalition of 130+ member organizations, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Amsterdam, that synthesizes scientific evidence and advocates for binding protections against deep-sea mining, bottom trawling, and geoengineering in international governance forums.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Deep Sea Conservation Coalition does
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) is a nonprofit coalition founded in 2004 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, comprising more than 130 member organizations worldwide — including NGOs, fish-workers' groups, and law and policy institutes. Its mission is to protect deep-sea ecosystems from three principal threats: deep-sea mining, bottom trawling on seamounts, and ocean geoengineering. Rather than selling commercial products or services, DSCC operates as a convening body that synthesizes scientific evidence from partner institutions and uses it to advocate for binding protections in international governance forums including the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN General Assembly, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Migratory Species, the IUCN, and eight Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.
DSCC's portfolio comprises advocacy campaigns and educational resources rather than commercial products. Core offerings include the Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium Campaign, the Protecting Seamounts Campaign, the Defend the Deep grassroots action platform, the Deep Sea Digest newsletter, the Knowledge Hub, and the annual Deep Day awareness initiative. The coalition is led by a small staff team — Global Campaign Director, Policy Lead, Science Lead, Legal Advisor, Africa Lead, and co-founder Matthew Gianni — supported by a distributed network of partner organizations. Revenue mechanics consist entirely of member organization contributions, grants, and donations from environmental foundations; no pricing model, commercial revenue, or financial statements are disclosed.
Strategically, DSCC's positioning centers on translating scientific evidence into binding policy commitments at multilateral forums. Notable recent outcomes include the adoption of IUCN Motion 069 in 2021 (deep-sea mining moratorium) and IUCN Motion 032 in 2025 (transition away from bottom trawling on seamounts by end of 2026, passing with 95% State and 99% NGO support). The coalition is actively engaged in the 2026 UN Bottom Fisheries Review and is leveraging the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) in January 2026 to expand area-based management tools for the deep sea. Geographic footprint is explicitly global with 43 countries supporting a deep-sea mining moratorium or precautionary pause.
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
- Legal name
- Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
- Website
- https://deep-sea-conservation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition is a nonprofit coalition of 130+ member organizations, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Amsterdam, that synthesizes scientific evidence and advocates for binding protections against deep-sea mining, bottom trawling, and geoengineering in international governance forums.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Deep Sea Conservation Coalition is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DSCC is a global coalition of 130+ environmental and social organisations that coordinates advocacy, scientific research, and legal expertise to protect deep-sea ecosystems from destructive activities, principally deep-sea mining. It runs flagship campaigns — including a moratorium on deep-sea mining and the protection of seamounts — and engages in international ocean-governance processes such as those at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).
Product overview
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) is an alliance of more than 130 organizations worldwide advocating for the protection of the deep sea. Rather than a commercial product company, DSCC offers a portfolio of advocacy campaigns and educational resources including: the Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium Campaign, the Protecting Seamounts Campaign, the Knowledge Hub educational resource, the Deep Day initiative, the Deep Sea Digest newsletter, and the Defend the Deep action platform. These campaigns focus on preventing deep-sea mining, protecting seamounts and vulnerable marine ecosystems from bottom trawling, and influencing international ocean governance through policy advocacy and public engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium Campaign A coordinated advocacy campaign calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, directed at the International Seabed Authority, member-state delegations, and broader ocean-governance audiences. It is delivered through policy submissions, public communications, and coalition mobilisation of the 130+ DSCC member organisations.
- Protecting Seamounts Campaign Coalition campaign focused on safeguarding seamount ecosystems from destructive activities such as bottom trawling and deep-sea mining, delivered via policy interventions at regional fisheries management organisations and public advocacy.
- International Ocean-Governance Policy Advocacy Ongoing policy-engagement service through which DSCC prepares and submits positions, interventions, and technical input to international ocean-governance bodies on behalf of its member coalition.
- DSCC Knowledge Hub Online resource hub that consolidates scientific publications, legal analyses, policy briefs, and campaign materials on deep-sea conservation, available to DSCC members and the public.
- DSCC Newsletter Periodic email newsletter providing updates on DSCC campaigns, international policy developments, and emerging scientific findings on deep-sea ecosystems to members and subscribers.
Quantifiable outcome
- IUCN Motion 032 adopted in 2025 calling for transition away from bottom trawling on seamounts by end of 2026 (95% yes vote from States/government agencies, 99% from NGOs)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- WWF AustraliacoreCo-proposer of IUCN Motion 032 at the 2025 World Conservation Congress, working together to call for protection of seamounts and VMEs from destructive fishing practices
- Marine Conservation InstitutecoreCo-proposer of IUCN Motion 032, collaborating on international conservation policy for deep-sea ecosystem protection
- Blue Marine FoundationcoreCo-proposer of IUCN Motion 032, working jointly on marine protection advocacy at international forums
- Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC)coreCo-proposer of IUCN Motion 032, partner in deep-sea conservation advocacy and policy efforts
- Canadian Parks and Wilderness SocietycoreCo-proposer of IUCN Motion 032, collaborating on international marine conservation initiatives
- Environment and Conservation Organizations of New ZealandcoreCo-proposer of IUCN Motion 032, working on deep-sea protection issues affecting the Pacific region
- Australian Foundation for WildernesscoreCo-proposer of IUCN Motion 032, partner in wilderness and marine ecosystem protection
- Schmidt Ocean InstitutesupportingResearch partner providing expedition imagery and data; Schmidt Ocean Institute conducts oceanographic research expeditions that provide scientific evidence supporting DSCC's conservation goals. Multiple images on DSCC website credit Schmidt Ocean Institute for underwater photography and ROV footage
- NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and ResearchsupportingScientific data and imagery partner; NOAA OER provides deep-sea photography and research data that supports DSCC's scientific evidence base for policy advocacy
- OceanCarecoreSupported CMS COP15 resolution on Conserving Seamount Ecosystems, bringing resolution alongside Panama and Monaco at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)supportingSupported CMS COP15 resolution on seamount ecosystems protection
- International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)supportingSupported CMS COP15 resolution on seamount ecosystems protection
- BirdLife InternationalsupportingSupported CMS COP15 resolution on seamount ecosystems protection
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Greenpeace: Global environmental advocacy organization with major oceans campaigns. Greenpeace's vessel-based direct action and policy advocacy on deep-sea mining and bottom trawling directly overlaps with DSCC's mandate and targets similar international governance forums.
- Oceana: Largest international advocacy organization focused exclusively on ocean conservation. Oceana campaigns on comparable issues including deep-sea bottom trawling, marine protected areas, and international fisheries governance, making it DSCC's closest functional peer in scope and methodology.
- OceanCare: Marine conservation organization that supported the CMS COP15 resolution on seamount ecosystems together with DSCC. Focuses on cetaceans and broader marine protection through international policy advocacy and scientific engagement.
- Marine Conservation Institute: Science-based marine conservation organization that co-proposed IUCN Motion 032. Operates the Marine Protection Atlas and Global Ocean Refuge System, advancing deep-sea protection through science-driven policy advocacy parallel to DSCC's approach.
- Blue Marine Foundation: Ocean-focused conservation foundation that co-proposed IUCN Motion 032. Works on marine protected area establishment and sustainable fisheries, with active engagement in international ocean governance forums where DSCC operates.
Broad incumbents
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Major environmental advocacy organization with significant oceans program. NRDC co-proposed IUCN Motion 032 and engages in international ocean policy, including deep-sea mining advocacy, making it both a peer and collaborator.
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Large conservation NGO with global oceans program. WCS supported the CMS COP15 seamount resolution and engages in deep-sea fisheries policy at RFMOs and the UN, paralleling DSCC's advocacy footprint.
- WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature): Large incumbent conservation NGO with a broad portfolio including oceans work. WWF co-proposed IUCN Motion 032 with DSCC and engages in deep-sea mining advocacy, making it a collaborator as well as a peer in marine policy advocacy.
Emerging players
- BirdLife International: Global partnership of conservation organizations with growing marine program. BirdLife supported the CMS COP15 seamount resolution and engages in seabird-related ocean governance that intersects with DSCC's deep-sea advocacy work.
Others
- Schmidt Ocean Institute: Oceanographic research foundation that provides expedition data and imagery supporting DSCC's evidence base. Functions as a scientific partner and ecosystem enabler rather than direct advocacy competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition social profiles
Digital presenceDeep Sea Conservation Coalition financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition 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 Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
What does Deep Sea Conservation Coalition do?
DSCC is a global coalition of 130+ environmental and social organisations that coordinates advocacy, scientific research, and legal expertise to protect deep-sea ecosystems from destructive activities, principally deep-sea mining. It runs flagship campaigns — including a moratorium on deep-sea mining and the protection of seamounts — and engages in international ocean-governance processes such as those at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).
Is Deep Sea Conservation Coalition a public or private company?
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Deep Sea Conservation Coalition founded?
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Deep Sea Conservation Coalition based?
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
Who are Deep Sea Conservation Coalition's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Greenpeace, Oceana, OceanCare, Marine Conservation Institute and Blue Marine Foundation. Broad incumbents are Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). BirdLife International is listed as an emerging player. Schmidt Ocean Institute is listed as an others.
Does Deep Sea Conservation Coalition have an API?
No public API is recorded for Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.