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The Blue Marine Foundation has teamed up with one of its leading yachting media partners, Boat International for the second annual edition of The Ocean Awards, which celebrate individuals, companies, legislators and projects that have made outstanding contributions to the health of the oceans.
Our panel of esteemed judges included: Charles Clover (chairman), Sir Charles Dunstone, Princess Zahra Aga Kahn, Alex Rogers, Ben Goldsmith , Charlie Birkett, George Duffield, Lilly Barclay, Peter Lürssen and Sacha Bonsor.
Nominations have now closed. The Ocean Awards 2017 will be held on January 11.
To register your interest in attending the event, please email Boat International’s Events Team.
1. Visionary Award finalists
- Christina Dixon, Global Ghost Gear Initiative
- Louis Bacon, Bacon Foundation
- Stuart Beck, United Nations
About the Visionary Award : The Visionary Award recognises the individual or group that have taken the lead on globally-significant actions for the benefit of ocean health. The winner of the Visionary Award will have shown consistent leadership on ocean issues, going above and beyond others in their commitment to protecting marine life.
Criteria: Nominees for the Visionary Award must have a demonstrable track record of leadership on marine issues. They must either have initiated or taken a lead in influencing a globally-significant effort for the benefit of the ocean, or seen a significant milestone in a previously initiated effort, within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016.
2. Local Hero Award Finalists
- T.A. Pugalarasan, TREE Foundation
- Dennis Bryan Bait-It, Daanbantayan Bantay Dagat Task Force (Migo Sa Iho)/ Project Sharklink, Inc.
About the Local Hero Award: The Local Hero Award recognises the individual or group that has had the most positive impact on the marine environment within their community this year. The winner of the Local Hero Award will be a recognised leader on marine conservation issues within their community or organisation.
Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Local Hero Award must either have initiated or taken a lead in influencing a significant effort for the benefit of the ocean within their community, or seen a significant milestone in a previously initiated effort.
3. Science Award finalists
- Daniel Pauly & Dirk Zeller, Sea Around Us, the University of British Columbia
- Dr. Erik van Sebille, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London
About the Science Award: The Science Award recognises the individual or research team that has made the most important scientific contribution to the ocean this year.
Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Science Award must have published a significant piece of scientific research that can be used for the benefit of marine conservation or ocean health.
4. Policy Award finalists
- Stiv Wilson, The Story of Stuff Project
- Claire Nouvian, BLOOM
About the Policy Award: The Policy Award recognises an individual or group that has been responsible for the most important policy initiative for the benefit of ocean health this year.
Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Policy Award must have been responsible for initiating or implementing a policy initiative, or have reached another significant milestone in that process. This policy must have had, or be very likely to have, a transformative effect on the ability of governments or local bodies to protect the oceans.
5. Innovation Award finalists
- Amado Blanco, ZSL-Philippines
- Maria Damanaki, The Nature Conservancy
About the Innovation Award: The Innovation Award recognises an individual or group that has been responsible for the development of the most promising new innovation for the benefit of the marine environment this year.
Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Innovation Award must have taken a lead on the initiation or completion of one or more new innovation for the benefit of the ocean, or seen another significant milestone towards the development of that innovation.
6. Responsible Business Award finalists
- Alex Olsen, Industry Group Agreement to Cod fishery in the northern part of North-East Atlantic
- Marteyne van Well, Six Senses Laamu
About the Responsible Business Award: The Responsible Business Award recognises the company or group of companies that have done the most to ensure that their business operations are not undertaken at the expense of the marine environment.
Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Responsible Business Award must have undertaken activities or commitments that will have a positive impact on the health of the marine environment, or have seen another significant milestone towards that goal. This activity or commitment must have been undertaken primarily to benefit the ocean, rather than the company’s bottom line.
7. Public Education Award finalists
- Ian Urbina, New York Times
- The Climate Council
About the Public Education Award: The Public Education Award recognises the individual or group that has done the most this year to advance public understanding of marine conservation issues, be it through the mainstream media, in schools, or through campaigning.
Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Public Education Award must have initiated activities that have had a demonstrable impact on the public understanding of an important ocean issue (or issues), or seen a significant milestone in a previously implemented activity.
8. The Seafarers’ Award finalists
- Fishing for Litter Scotland, KIMO UK
- Ben Ainslie Racing Ltd (Land Rover BAR)
About the Seafarer’s Award: The Seafarers’ Award recognises the individual or group from the sea-faring community that has done the most this year to advance marine conservation.
Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Seafarers’ Award must have undertaken efforts to advance marine conservation, be it through awareness-raising, fundraising, direct conservation activities, or any other means. These efforts and the nominees themselves must have demonstrable ties to the sea or an ocean-related business.
