GET INVOLVED
Another way to make an impact is to sponsor and get involved with NGOs whose mission includes supporting small-scale fishers and the marine ecosystems they rely on. There are a myriad of groups working at all levels on these issues, you should take some time to investigate what options you have when considering which groups to support.
Local Level
You have probably heard of many of the national and international organizations that are listed further down the page, but what you may not know is that there are many, many groups that focus on work where you live. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to quickly find all the groups that you might be interested in. However, with a little bit of searching, you will be sure to find an organization worthy of your support.
Local Level
You have probably heard of many of the national and international organizations that are listed further down the page, but what you may not know is that there are many, many groups that focus on work where you live. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to quickly find all the groups that you might be interested in. However, with a little bit of searching, you will be sure to find an organization worthy of your support.
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Starting Points
Although there is no one directory that lists all the local organizations in which you might be interested, there are a few resources that can help you start. The first is www.enviroyellowpages.com. Here you can choose the state or country you live in and you will come to a large list of categories. The category you will likely want is, ‘Environmental & Ecological Organizations.’ This will provide you a list of some of the organizations near you and will give you a place to start your search. You may also look into regional or focus based networks and alliances. One example is the Community Fisheries Network (www.communityfisheriesnetwork.org). This group brings together regional groups focused on their small scale fisheries and provides business, marketing, and development support. An example of a regional alliance is the Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative (www.southernmaineconservation.org), which provides a portal to the organizations dedicated to conservation in southern Maine. Groups like this in your area may help point you to the organization that is the right match for you. Some other groups like these include:
Digging Deeper Sometimes the best way to find out about who is working near you is to ask. Almost every group works with multiple partner organizations in order to fulfill their goals. If you can find one group that works on projects similar to your interests, it is almost guaranteed that they will know the other groups working in the area. Try calling them or looking up some of their accomplishments, the partners they worked with are sure to be mentioned. |
National / International Level
Many of you may be interested in supporting work around the world in addition to your own backyard. We compiled a list of organizations that work on oceans and fisheries issues at the national and international levels. Be aware that each of these organizations has its own goals and its own focus. Be sure to research whichever groups you may be interested in to ensure your goals and values align.
> Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org)
>> Oceans Work (http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/topics/oceans)
> The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org)
>> Oceans & Coast Work (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/oceanscoasts/index.htm?intc=nature.tnav.how.list)
>> Fishing related work (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/oceanscoasts/howwework/marine-conservation-inspiring-stories-sustainable-fisheries-1.xml)
> NMFS (www.nmfs.noaa.gov)
Oceana (www.oceana.org)
>> Responsible Fisheries (http://oceana.org/our-campaigns/promote_responsible_fishing/campaign)
> Environmental Defense Fund (www.edf.org)
>> Oceans Work (http://www.edf.org/oceans)
>> Fishing (http://www.edf.org/oceans/catch-shares)
> World Wildlife Foundation (www.worldwildlife.org)
>> Oceans Work (http://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/oceans)
> Ocean Conservancy (www.oceanconservancy.org)
>> Fisheries Work (http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/fisheries/)
> Ocean Futures Society (www.oceanfutures.org)
>> Sustainable Seafoood (http://www.oceanfutures.org/action/sustainable-seafood)
> Marine Conservation Institute (www.marine-conservation.org)
>> Fishing related work (http://www.marine-conservation.org/what-we-do/program-areas/how-we-fish/)
>> MPAs (http://www.marine-conservation.org/what-we-do/program-areas/mpas/)
> SeaWeb (www.seaweb.org)
> Wild Oceans (www.savethefish.org)
> EarthJustice (www.earthjustice.org)
>> Oceans (http://earthjustice.org/the-wild/oceans)
> Blue Ocean Institute – The Safina Center (www.blueocean.org)
>> Fishing (http://safinacenter.org/issues/fish-as-food/)
> Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org)
> Fisheries Conservation Foundation (www.fishconserve.org)
> National Fisheries Conservation Center (www.fisheriesconservation.org)
>> Fisheries Conservation (http://fisheriesconservation.org/projects/fisheries-management/)
> Conservation International (www.conservation.org)
>> Oceans (http://www.conservation.org/what/pages/oceans.aspx)
> Wildlife Conservation Society (www.wcs.org)
>> Oceans (http://www.wcs.org/saving-wild-places/ocean.aspx)
> Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (www.trcp.org)
>> Fisheries (http://www.trcp.org/issues/fisheries)
Organizations to Avoid
Just as there are many groups working to protect marine ecosystems and keep fishers fishing, there are many that engage in activities detrimental to the coast. Often these actors will become apparent if you begin working with a local non-profit, and get involved in local issues. It pays to be aware of plans and activities in your area and to make your voice heard if when those plans seem risky.
One example of the struggle between community and developers is the fight to keep ahold of some properties part of the South Street Seaport New York City. The story is well documented in two ‘Downtown Express’ articles, ‘Seeking a view into the Seaport’s future’ (http://www.downtownexpress.com/2013/09/25/seeking-a-view-into-the-seaports-future/) and ‘Seaport tower plan is met with boos’ (http://www.downtownexpress.com/2013/11/20/angry-reaction-to-plan-for-seaport-tower-marina/). The story is a typical one, where a development company (Howard Hughes Corp.) seeks to tear down historic buildings on the waterfront in order to build a hotel.
Prepared by Peter Zaykoski
Many of you may be interested in supporting work around the world in addition to your own backyard. We compiled a list of organizations that work on oceans and fisheries issues at the national and international levels. Be aware that each of these organizations has its own goals and its own focus. Be sure to research whichever groups you may be interested in to ensure your goals and values align.
> Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org)
>> Oceans Work (http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/topics/oceans)
> The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org)
>> Oceans & Coast Work (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/oceanscoasts/index.htm?intc=nature.tnav.how.list)
>> Fishing related work (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/oceanscoasts/howwework/marine-conservation-inspiring-stories-sustainable-fisheries-1.xml)
> NMFS (www.nmfs.noaa.gov)
Oceana (www.oceana.org)
>> Responsible Fisheries (http://oceana.org/our-campaigns/promote_responsible_fishing/campaign)
> Environmental Defense Fund (www.edf.org)
>> Oceans Work (http://www.edf.org/oceans)
>> Fishing (http://www.edf.org/oceans/catch-shares)
> World Wildlife Foundation (www.worldwildlife.org)
>> Oceans Work (http://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/oceans)
> Ocean Conservancy (www.oceanconservancy.org)
>> Fisheries Work (http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/fisheries/)
> Ocean Futures Society (www.oceanfutures.org)
>> Sustainable Seafoood (http://www.oceanfutures.org/action/sustainable-seafood)
> Marine Conservation Institute (www.marine-conservation.org)
>> Fishing related work (http://www.marine-conservation.org/what-we-do/program-areas/how-we-fish/)
>> MPAs (http://www.marine-conservation.org/what-we-do/program-areas/mpas/)
> SeaWeb (www.seaweb.org)
> Wild Oceans (www.savethefish.org)
> EarthJustice (www.earthjustice.org)
>> Oceans (http://earthjustice.org/the-wild/oceans)
> Blue Ocean Institute – The Safina Center (www.blueocean.org)
>> Fishing (http://safinacenter.org/issues/fish-as-food/)
> Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org)
> Fisheries Conservation Foundation (www.fishconserve.org)
> National Fisheries Conservation Center (www.fisheriesconservation.org)
>> Fisheries Conservation (http://fisheriesconservation.org/projects/fisheries-management/)
> Conservation International (www.conservation.org)
>> Oceans (http://www.conservation.org/what/pages/oceans.aspx)
> Wildlife Conservation Society (www.wcs.org)
>> Oceans (http://www.wcs.org/saving-wild-places/ocean.aspx)
> Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (www.trcp.org)
>> Fisheries (http://www.trcp.org/issues/fisheries)
Organizations to Avoid
Just as there are many groups working to protect marine ecosystems and keep fishers fishing, there are many that engage in activities detrimental to the coast. Often these actors will become apparent if you begin working with a local non-profit, and get involved in local issues. It pays to be aware of plans and activities in your area and to make your voice heard if when those plans seem risky.
One example of the struggle between community and developers is the fight to keep ahold of some properties part of the South Street Seaport New York City. The story is well documented in two ‘Downtown Express’ articles, ‘Seeking a view into the Seaport’s future’ (http://www.downtownexpress.com/2013/09/25/seeking-a-view-into-the-seaports-future/) and ‘Seaport tower plan is met with boos’ (http://www.downtownexpress.com/2013/11/20/angry-reaction-to-plan-for-seaport-tower-marina/). The story is a typical one, where a development company (Howard Hughes Corp.) seeks to tear down historic buildings on the waterfront in order to build a hotel.
Prepared by Peter Zaykoski
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