What Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy does

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy is a non-profit partnership between The Pew Charitable Trusts and Dona Bertarelli that supports the creation and expansion of large-scale, ecologically significant marine protected areas (MPAs) worldwide. Operating since 2011 and formally established in 2017, the organization works directly with national and local governments, Indigenous and local communities, the scientific community, and international regulatory bodies such as CCAMLR to designate MPAs that restrict extractive activities including fishing, drilling, and mining. Its underlying capability is policy advocacy and convening supported by scientific research, community engagement frameworks, and innovative conservation financing instruments such as sovereign debt conversions. Programmatic work spans the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, French Polynesia, Rapa Nui (Chile), New Caledonia, the Mediterranean Sea, Antarctica's Southern Ocean, and Mexico's Baja California/Sea of Cortez, with reported cumulative impact of over 17 million square kilometers of ocean under conservation across more than 20 sites — including more than 12 million square kilometers of highly and fully protected waters, representing over 90% of all such designations globally.

The organization's business model is philanthropic rather than commercial. It has no products or services for sale, no pricing model, and no traditional go-to-market motion; revenue flows from contributions by its two founding partners (Pew Charitable Trusts and Dona Bertarelli). Operational delivery relies on a small core team of approximately five specialized staff, supplemented by regional partners such as Beta Diversidad in Mexico and coalition members for the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Notable recent strategic actions include the 2023 Galápagos debt conversion (the largest ocean conservation debt swap to date), the 2022 Hermandad Marine Reserve in Ecuador, and the 2021 transboundary memorandum among Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama to create a 500,000-square-kilometer biosphere reserve.

Name

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy

Legal name

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy

Website

https://pew-bertarelli-ocean-legacy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy is a non-profit partnership between The Pew Charitable Trusts and Dona Bertarelli that helps governments and communities create and expand large, ecologically significant marine protected areas across 20+ sites worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Marine conservation policy
• Marine protected areas
• Ocean policy advocacy
• Marine biodiversity protection
• Conservation partnerships

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy is a nonprofit partnership between The Pew Charitable Trusts and Dona Bertarelli that supports the creation and expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs) that qualify as highly or fully protected, restricting extractive activities such as fishing, drilling, and mining. The organization provides advocacy, policy support, scientific research, and technical assistance to governments, Indigenous groups, scientists, and local communities to establish ecologically significant, large-scale marine protections and ecological corridors.

Product overview

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy is a partnership between The Pew Charitable Trusts and Dona Bertarelli focused on marine conservation. The organization does not offer a traditional software product or platform. Instead, it provides advocacy, policy support, and technical assistance to governments, Indigenous groups, and communities for the creation and expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs). Core offerings include regional conservation programs covering the Eastern Tropical Pacific, Mediterranean Sea, Southern Ocean, and Western Pacific, with specific initiatives in French Polynesia, Rapa Nui, New Caledonia, Baja California, and Antarctica. The organization has helped establish MPAs covering over 17 million square kilometers of ocean across more than 20 sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marine Protected Area Advocacy and Support Supports the creation and expansion of marine protected areas that qualify as highly or fully protected, restricting extractive activities such as fishing, drilling, and mining. Works with communities, governments, Indigenous groups, scientists, and partners to establish ecologically significant, large, and effective marine protected areas.
• Antarctica's Southern Ocean Conservation Collaborative efforts with CCAMLR and member governments to harmonize conservation efforts, update krill fishery management measures, and create a network of large-scale marine protected areas around Antarctica.
• Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR)

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of world's highly and fully protected marine waters designated through partnership efforts
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Coalition of Philanthropic, Government, and NGO OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021A coalition providing financial support and technical assistance for Eastern Tropical Pacific marine protections. Works closely with elected leaders, communities, Indigenous groups, government officials, and scientists to support transboundary marine protection.
• New Caledonia Government (Natural Park of the Coral Sea Management Committee)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy was invited by the New Caledonia government to join the park management committee for the Natural Park of the Coral Sea, which includes the entire 1.3 million square kilometer exclusive economic zone.
• The Pew Charitable TrustsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011The Pew Charitable Trusts is the founding partner of Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy. With more than 75 years of experience using data to address global challenges, Pew provides the institutional backbone, policy expertise, and operational infrastructure for marine conservation efforts worldwide.
• Dona BertarelliflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Swiss philanthropist, investor, sportswoman, and advocate for ocean protection, environmental conservation, animal welfare, education and social causes for more than thirty years. Dona Bertarelli brings philanthropic resources and personal commitment to marine conservation.
• Beta DiversidadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Mexican conservation organization collaborating with Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy on marine protection efforts in Baja California's Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. Partnership involves working with local communities, fishermen groups, NGOs, and scientists.
• Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe international body responsible for conserving biodiversity in the Southern Ocean. Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy works with CCAMLR and its member governments to harmonize conservation efforts, update krill fishery management measures, and create a network of large-scale MPAs around Antarctica.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Oceana: International ocean-focused advocacy organization running policy campaigns on fisheries, marine protected areas, and bycatch reduction globally. Closest direct nonprofit peer to Pew Bertarelli on advocacy-driven MPA and fisheries work, with comparable science-to-policy model and multinational footprint.
• Marine Conservation Institute: U.S.-based nonprofit that promotes the establishment of effective, well-enforced marine protected areas, including through its Global Ocean Refuge System and Atlas of Marine Protection. Most direct peer in pure-play MPA advocacy and effectiveness measurement, though smaller in scale.
• Blue Marine Foundation: UK-based ocean conservation charity focused on creating marine reserves and restoring ocean ecosystems, with active work in the Mediterranean, UK Overseas Territories, and Atlantic. Comparable MPA-creation mission, government-engagement model, and emphasis on large-scale protections.
• The Pew Charitable Trusts: The founding institutional partner of Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy; Pew Charitable Trusts runs the broader global ocean portfolio (including the international ocean and restorer of fish populations work) that Pew Bertarelli's marine protected area agenda extends. Directly comparable in mission (data-driven marine conservation policy), governance (501(c)(3)), and donor base.
• National Geographic Pristine Seas: National Geographic Society's flagship ocean program, which partners with governments and communities to establish large marine protected areas, including many sites also targeted or supported by Pew Bertarelli. Highly comparable on campaign-driven MPA creation, science-to-policy pipeline, and high-impact storytelling.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest global conservation NGOs with substantial marine, coastal, and island programs, including MPA support, debt-for-nature swaps, and ocean-climate work. Broader than Pew Bertarelli in scope (terrestrial and freshwater) but a key counterparty on large-scale ocean finance and policy.
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature): Large international conservation organization running multiple ocean programs (fisheries reform, MPAs, blue economy, plastics) across many of the same geographies as Pew Bertarelli. Broader portfolio but overlaps materially on government engagement and global MPA advocacy.
• Conservation International: Global environmental NGO with significant marine and coastal programs (e.g., Blue Nature, Global Ocean Alliance support) and a track record on debt conversions and government partnerships. Overlaps with Pew Bertarelli on transboundary MPAs and blue-finance innovation but covers far broader biodiversity scope.

Emerging players

• Waitt Foundation: U.S.-based ocean-focused philanthropy supporting large-scale MPAs, rapid Ocean Surveys, and partnerships with governments and NGOs (notably National Geographic Pristine Seas). Comparable philanthropic-funder-to-MPA-creation pipeline, with overlapping grantees and geographic priorities.
• SeaLegacy: Ocean conservation nonprofit built around storytelling and expeditions, partnering with Pew, National Geographic Pristine Seas, and others on MPA campaigns. Adjacent and partly overlapping with Pew Bertarelli on media-driven MPA advocacy, particularly in the Pacific.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pew-bertarelli-ocean-legacy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy