The Marine Megafauna Foundation
PROJECT TYPE: conservation science, community-driven conservation, environmental education
MISSION: Save threatened marine life using pioneering research, education, and sustainable conservation solutions, working towards a world where marine life and humans thrive together.
MOTTO: All life is connected to the health of the oceans; our ocean giants hold the key.
Photo credits: Marine Megafauna Foundation
Saving Our Ocean Giants
The Approach: Three Strategic Pillars
MMF’s research pillar is focused on advancing understanding of the population ecology and conservation biology of manta rays, whale sharks, turtles and other shark and ray species. This pioneering scientific work underpins every move the organization makes and acts as a compass, guiding MMF’s approach to community education and the development of durable conservation solutions.
For more information:
MMF’s education team is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of Ocean Guardians to ‘Learn Today, Act Together, and Protect Tomorrow’ to save ocean giants from extinction. The platform for this work extends from the classroom to the marine environment, and engages community youth in the truly transformative work of shaping their future and the future of the marine ecosystems that they call home.
For more information:
To protect flagship megafauna species and the livelihoods of those who depend on the ocean, the MMF team works closely with local communities and governments to shape, drive, and implement long-term conservation policies and strategies from the ‘bottom-up’. This work is dedicated to testing and proving conservation solutions, and then replicating and scaling these models across an ever-expanding set of critical geographies.
For more information:
A History of Success
Since its inception, MMF has made tremendous progress advancing the three strategic pillars that define their strategic approach to conservation of the ocean’s gentle giants. They have had an impressive impact on the global scientific community. MMF’s ground-breaking research has resulted in whale sharks and manta rays being listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, as well as the discovery of an entirely new species of manta ray.
MMF’s work has been featured in some of the world’s biggest media outlets such as CNN, BBC, National Geographic and TED, expanding their sphere of impact and influence. Their education efforts have been truly transformative, leading to a growing community conservation ethos and the implementation of a number of innovative conservation solutions and policy wins. Nonetheless, the organization is the first to admit that there is still tremendous work to be done.
Topping the list, is getting at the bottom of why all marine megafauna, such as turtles, sharks and rays, are in rapid decline. MMF is committed to deepening their research to answer this vital question. It is already clear that a core part of the answer is education and the organization is focused on deepening and expanding their effort to educate coastal communities in priority regions across the globe and support the emergence of long-lasting sustainable solutions that protect vulnerable megafauna for the future and the ecosystems both wildlife and people rely on for their well-being.
To continue to guide and drive the implementation of MMF’s critical and inspiring vision, the organization recently developed a long-term strategy called Our Ocean, Our Future, which establishes key milestones in the quest to realize the bold, even audacious, 2030 conservation goals MMF set for itself.
MMF is actively cultivating strategic partnerships and relationships with philanthropic organizations to realize their dynamic vision and replicate and scale existing conservation success to other critical marine megafauna locations and inspire their long-term protection, from the community through to the international policy level.
To discuss partnership opportunities with MMF and understand how you can help them achieve their vision of a world where marine life and humans thrive together, please contact: philanthropy@marinemegafauna.org
For Additional Information, Please Visit:
