What OceanCare does

OceanCare is a Swiss non-profit marine conservation association founded in 1989 and headquartered in Wädenswil, canton of Zurich. The organization protects marine ecosystems and endangered species — including whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, polar bears, and fish — addressing plastic pollution, underwater noise, deep-sea mining, climate change, ship-whale collisions, and overfishing. Its technical core is the SAvE Whales warning system, the world's first alert infrastructure designed to prevent ship collisions with endangered whales, operational in areas such as the Hellenic Trench and the northwestern Mediterranean, supplemented by the SaveMoby buoy-based whale warning system.

OceanCare's commercial activity is structured around supporter engagement rather than product sales. Revenue is generated through individual donations (one-time and recurring), an annual membership program (100 CHF regular, 200 CHF Gönnerschaft/supporter), species-specific sponsorships (150 CHF per year for whales, with similar tiers for dolphins, sea turtles, seals, and polar bears), memorial and event donations, legacies and bequests, and gift merchandise. Payment processing is handled by PayPal, Datatrans, and Worldline (TWINT/credit card), with donations tax-deductible throughout Switzerland under the organization's cantonal and federal tax-exempt status.

The organization serves individual supporters (its primary donor segment), governments and international bodies (UN, IWC, IMO), and shipping industry partners (MSC, Neptune Lines, French Shipowners Association, Danish Shipping), in addition to a coalition of environmental and scientific partners (Greenpeace, BUND, DUH, WDC, Tethys Research Institute, IUCN, CMS, ACCOBAMS, High Seas Alliance, EIA, IFAW, GFCM, BC3). Marketing and community engagement are executed through Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube, an email newsletter, petitions, citizen science programs (Mitforschen), and participation in international advocacy forums. Fabienne McLellan serves as Managing Director.

Name

OceanCare

Legal name

Verein Oceancare (Association OceanCare)

Website

https://oceancare.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OceanCare is a Swiss non-profit marine conservation association founded in 1989, headquartered in Wädenswil, that protects endangered marine species and ecosystems through research, advocacy, and donor-supported programs including the SAvE Whales collision-prevention system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Ocean protection
• Whale conservation
• Environmental advocacy
• Species sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Wädenswil

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters. Options for single donations and regular contributions.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership fees (100 CHF regular, 200 CHF Gönnerschaft/sponsor) providing exclusive insights into international work.
3. Species Sponsorships (Patenschaften): Annual sponsorship programs for specific species including whales (150 CHF/year), dolphins, sea turtles, seals, and polar bears. Includes themed materials and updates.
4. Memorial and Event Donations: Donations made in memory of loved ones or for special occasions (Anlassspenden, Trauerspenden).
5. Legacies and Inheritance: Bequests and legacy donations (Erbschaft & Legat) as part of estate planning.
6. Gift Donations: Donations that can be gifted to others, including the OceanCare Charm product.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

OceanCare is a Swiss non-profit marine conservation organization that delivers science-based ocean and wildlife protection through international advocacy, policy work at UN and IWC bodies, citizen science research expeditions, and the SAvE Whales ship-collision warning system. Its primary commercial offerings to the public are donation mechanisms, annual memberships, and species sponsorship programs funding its conservation work.

Product overview

OceanCare is a non-profit marine conservation organization (founded 1989, Swiss association) offering a portfolio of digital engagement and conservation programs. The core offering consists of an online platform providing donation, membership, and sponsorship mechanisms alongside educational content and advocacy tools. Key products include: a donation platform supporting one-time and recurring contributions via multiple payment methods; membership programs (100-200 CHF annually) providing exclusive conservation insights; species sponsorship programs (150 CHF/year) for whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, and polar bears with personalized materials; an e-newsletter delivered via XCampaign; an online petitions system for policy advocacy; and the SAvE Whales warning system—a technology initiative preventing ship-whale collisions using smart monitoring. The organization also produces educational content (podcast, OceanLove quizzes), facilitates citizen science research expeditions, and maintains a publications library with reports, briefings, and factsheets on marine conservation topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donation Platform Online donation system allowing individuals to make one-time contributions (preset amounts 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150 CHF) or recurring donations to support OceanCare's marine conservation work.
• Membership Program Annual membership program with two tiers — 100 CHF regular membership and 200 CHF premium Gönnerschaft (sponsor) membership — providing exclusive insights into international marine conservation work.
• Species Sponsorship Programs (Patenschaften) Annual species-specific sponsorship at 150 CHF per year, including themed materials, personalized certificate, photo card, updates on protection progress, and invitations to selected events for whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, and polar bears.
• Citizen Science Research Expeditions (Mitforschen) Citizen science program enabling supporters to participate in marine conservation research activities, including whale and dolphin sighting expeditions conducted in partnership with the Tethys Research Institute.
• SAvE Whales Warning System World's first ship-whale collision warning system, using smart monitoring technology to alert shipping captains to whale presence and prevent collisions with endangered whales. Operational in areas such as the Hellenic Trench and NW Mediterranean.
• OceanCare Charm (Gift Donation Product) Physical charm merchandise available for purchase as a gift donation, with proceeds supporting OceanCare's marine conservation work.

Quantifiable outcome

• SAvE Whales system preventing ship-whale collisions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tethys Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for citizen science research expeditions (Mitforschen) allowing supporters to participate in marine conservation research, including whale and dolphin sighting expeditions.
• BUND (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint advocacy coalition on marine conservation issues including CO2 storage concerns in the North Sea affecting harbor porpoises.
• DUH (Deutsche Umwelthilfe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman environmental organization co-signing joint statements on marine protection issues including CO2 storage in the North Sea.
• GreenpeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization partner in joint advocacy for ocean protection including CO2 storage concerns and marine conservation.
• WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational whale and dolphin conservation organization partner in joint statements and advocacy on marine mammal protection.
• EIA (Environmental Investigation Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental investigative organization co-authoring reports on plastic pollution, deep-sea mining, and whaling issues.
• High Seas AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of organizations working to advance the treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for Mediterranean carbon budget studies, including reports on climate protection and decarbonization pathways.
• CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration including joint reports on underwater noise mitigation, species conservation, and international wildlife protection.
• IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in surveys and reports on European attitudes toward ocean protection and underwater noise pollution.
• IUCNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Union for Conservation of Nature collaboration on marine species protection assessments and reports.
• ACCOBAMSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area - joint noise pollution reports.
• GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN FAO body partnership for fisheries studies including underwater noise impact on fish stocks in the Adriatic Sea.
• Neptune LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipping company implementing rerouting in the Hellenic Trench to protect whales from ship strikes.
• MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor shipping company that shifted lanes to help save Sri Lankan blue whales from ship strikes.
• French Shipowners AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation calling on members to help protect endangered whales through voluntary measures.
• Danish Shipping CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipping company working on brighter future for endangered sperm whales in Greek waters.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Marine Conservation Institute: Science-based ocean conservation organization focused on establishing marine protected areas and ocean policy reform. Comparable in marine science-driven advocacy and policy work targeting international frameworks.
• Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Marine conservation organization defending marine wildlife and habitats through direct action and campaigns. Comparable mission in marine species protection and ocean advocacy, though uses more confrontational direct-action tactics than OceanCare.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): Global animal welfare and conservation nonprofit with marine mammal programs. Comparable in partnership-based advocacy, international policy engagement, and survey work on European ocean protection attitudes; existing OceanCare coalition partner.
• Oceana: International ocean conservation organization focused on policy advocacy to restore ocean biodiversity. Comparable in pushing international treaties, marine protected areas, and reducing shipping and fisheries threats to oceans.
• Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC): International charity dedicated to conservation and welfare of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Highly comparable mission focus on cetacean protection and policy advocacy; existing OceanCare coalition partner on marine mammal issues.
• The Ocean Cleanup: Nonprofit deploying advanced technologies to rid oceans of plastic. Comparable technology-forward marine conservation approach, with overlapping focus on plastic pollution that overlaps with OceanCare's plastics treaty advocacy.

Emerging players

• SeaLegacy: Ocean-focused nonprofit using visual storytelling, photography, and expeditions to drive marine protection. Comparable mission to protect oceans; smaller, more recent, and more visual-media driven than OceanCare.

Broad incumbents

• WWF (World Wildlife Fund): Largest global conservation organization with significant marine and cetacean programs. Comparable in ocean conservation mission but operates at vastly larger scale across all species and habitats with major institutional donor base.
• Greenpeace: Major global environmental organization with broad climate, ocean, and biodiversity campaigns. Overlapping on marine issues (existing OceanCare coalition partner on North Sea CO2 storage) but operates at vastly larger scale across all environmental issues.

Others

• Plastic Pollution Coalition: Global alliance working to end plastic pollution with shared mission on the global plastics treaty. Not a direct competitor but a complementary coalition actor on one of OceanCare's key advocacy issue areas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/oceancare.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/oceancareorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/OceanCare.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oceancare
• Instagraminstagram.com/oceancare

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 OceanCare