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The Ocean Awards recognise individuals, community groups, organisations and businesses that have made significant contributions to the health of the marine environment, to the sustainable management of marine resources, or to public engagement with the oceans and seas during the qualifying period.
The project must have been completed between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.
Find out more about the six Ocean Award categories below.
Do you know someone who deserves to win an Ocean Award? The 2024 nominations are open now!
You can find more about the winners here.
Awards are made in seven categories:
This award recognises the individual or (grassroots / community-based / local) group that has had the most positive impact on the marine environment within their local community this year. The winner will be a recognised leader on marine conservation issues within their community. Special attention will be paid to those working in an unfavourable environment or circumstances.
Criteria: Nominees for this award must have a) initiated a promising effort for the benefit of the ocean within their community, or b) significantly improved, advanced, or revived an existing effort towards new achievements.
This award recognises the individual or research team that has made an original scientific contribution about the ocean this year.
Criteria: Nominees for this award must have significantly contributed towards a peer-reviewed publication or study that is directly useful for the benefit of global marine conservation or ocean health.
This award recognises the individual, company or group that has this year publicly introduced innovative measures for reducing stress on the oceans or for improving ocean health; such measures might include business operations which are not undertaken at the expense of the marine environment or development of promising new technologies that benefit the marine environment.
Criteria: Nominees for this award must have undertaken activities or commitments to significantly develop or implement products, services, processes, or measures that have – or are likely to have – a positive impact on the health of the marine environment
This award recognises the individual or group that has done the most this year to advance marine conservation objectives, including public literacy about marine conservation issues, be it through campaigning and advocacy, the mainstream media, art forms, or educational programmes.
Criteria: Nominees for this award must have this year initiated or significantly advanced activities with a demonstrable impact on ocean management or the public understanding or public visibility of an important ocean issue (or issues).
This award recognises an individual that has taken the lead on globally significant actions, such as policy or advocacy initiatives, for the benefit of ocean health, over an extended period of time. The winner of this award will have shown consistent leadership and vision on ocean issues, going above and beyond others in their commitment to protecting marine life.
Criteria: Nominees for this 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.
This award celebrates and recognises an individual between the ages of 18 and 30 who is at the beginning of their career. He or she will have shown commitment and action within ocean conservation. The winner of this award will have demonstrated promising leadership and vision on ocean issues, be it through campaigning and advocacy, the mainstream media, art forms, or educational programmes.
Criteria: Nominees for this award must have this year shown hard work and determination in their commitment to ocean conservation with a demonstrable impact. They must be able to illustrate how they have shown leadership and implemented their ideas through either a voluntary or professional position.
It is always important to recognise the hard work of others, but winning an Ocean Award comes with a host of benefits, making your nomination even more worthwhile:
Press opportunities:
The Ocean Awards have attracted some great press coverage over the years and are a fantastic opportunity for the winners to receive exposure for their achievements towards improving the health of the ocean.
Blue Marine’s and BOAT’s dedicated Comms & Marketing Teams and PR Agencies work together to create press opportunities and maximise exposure for the winners.
We have been successful in securing coverage in the following news outlets: ITV News, Evening Express, Breaking News and The Daily Mail. The winners are also featured in BOAT’s print and online magazine.
Industry exposure: The Ocean Award judges are a combination of business and conservation experts.
Professional film: Each of the winners will have a professional film about their achievements made for them by Blue Marine’s expert Media Team.
Last year’s videos can be seen here.
Social media exposure: Combined, BOAT and Blue Marine have a large social media following (Instagram: 283,000, Facebook Likes: 97,000 Twitter: 44,000). Each winner will be announced across these social media platforms furthering their exposure.
Anecdotes from past winners:
‘The recognition that comes with the award has brought us significant funding for our training program and expose the team to the potential donors and other marine conservation organisations that are now supporting our project’ – Visionary Winner 2021
‘As a team leader of the Sea Women of Melanesia Program, this award has given me a boost to continue to lead the program and work that we are doing and has given me the confidence to support the team to train more women in doing marine conservation work at a community level.’ – Visionary Winner 2021
‘We have the support of the local government after receiving the Ocean Award to develop the potential of our area’ – Young Initiative Runner up
‘It has impacted me mostly through my ability to network with others deeper and to have a connection to an incredible organisation such as Blue Marine Foundation’ – Young Initiative Finalist 2021
“As an early career researcher in particular, this award elevated the trajectory of my career, and I couldn’t be more grateful to Blue Marine and BOAT.” – Science Winner 2021
‘Speaking at COP was a lifelong dream, and this wouldn’t have been possible without Blue Marine’ – Science Winner 2021
Impact stats:
See 2023 Ocean Award winners here.
Do you know of an individual or organisation that is that is deserved of winning an ocean award? Make sure you recognise their work by nominating them via here.
Nomination guidelines:
The Awards are global in coverage and nominations from outside the G7 countries are encouraged.
Nomination must be made in English and using the online form; supporting materials are advantageous.
“Qualifying Period” / “This year” imply the 12 months prior to the date of nomination
Science category: individual researcher(s) or research team(s) must be affiliated with an institution or an organisation.
Nominees must be made aware of their nomination by the nominating entity.
If awarded, nominees agree to participate in the Awards publicity, e.g. attend an awards ceremony, provide video clips, podcast interview, or similar.
The Ocean Awards is a joint initiative between Blue Marine Foundation and BOAT International (BOAT). Staff, trustees and directors of Blue Marine and BOAT or current members of the judging panel are not eligible for nomination.
“As an early career researcher in particular, this award elevated the trajectory of my career, and I couldn't be more grateful to Blue Marine and BOAT.”
‘The recognition that comes with the award has brought us significant funding for our training program and expose the team to the potential donors and other marine conservation organisations that are now supporting our project’
‘Speaking at COP was a lifelong dream, and this wouldn't have been possible without Blue Marine’
‘We have the support of the local government after receiving the Ocean Award to develop the potential of our area’
‘As a team leader of the Sea Women of Melanesia Program, this award has given me a boost to continue to lead the program and work that we are doing and has given me the confidence to support the team to train more women in doing marine conservation work at a community level.’
