Marine Conservation
The Why.
The degradation of ocean resources poses a significant challenge, largely driven by overfishing, pollution, habitat disruption and climate change. These factors contribute to a decline in marine biodiversity, affecting both ecosystems and human livelihoods. Considering the ocean’s vital role in providing resources and ecological services, and our legacy as a maritime company, we believe it is imperative to prioritise marine conservation and protect our marine resources for future generations.
To achieve meaningful change, we must invest in initiatives that promote innovation and sustainable practices, paving the way for a healthier and more resilient marine environment.
Blue Alliance
Founder: Nicolas Pascal, Angelique Brathwaite. Funding Period: 2025–2027. Location: Indonesia
Blue Alliance addresses the urgent need for sustainable marine conservation by developing self-sustaining Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that regenerate coral reef ecosystems and support coastal communities. Recognising the limitations of traditional conservation funding, Blue Alliance pioneers innovative financing models that blend public, private, and philanthropic capital to ensure long-term impact.
Through partnerships with governments, local communities, and technical experts, Blue Alliance co-manages MPAs and incubates reef-positive businesses such as eco-tourism, sustainable aquaculture, and blue carbon projects. These ventures generate revenue that helps fund ongoing conservation efforts, creating a cycle of ecological restoration and economic resilience.
By aligning financial sustainability with environmental and social outcomes, Blue Alliance demonstrates that marine conservation can be both impactful and economically viable—empowering communities while protecting vital ocean ecosystems.
Blue Ventures
Founder: Alisdair Harris. Funding Period: 2015–2024. Location: East-Timor
Blue Ventures (BV) in Timor-Leste focuses on empowering coastal communities while addressing the critical issues of marine biodiversity degradation and livelihood instability arising from overfishing and habitat destruction. Their solution seeks to empower local communities though sustainable fisheries management, habitat restoration, and alternative livelihoods. BV collaborates with local organisations to implement initiatives such as mangrove afforestation, seagrass monitoring, and the establishment of locally managed marine areas (LMMAs).
Additionally, they advocate for effective marine policy and partner with the Timor-Leste government to ensure lasting conservation outcomes and enhance community resilience. The societal value generated by Blue Ventures is evident in the increased local employment opportunities, as they provide new income sources for community members through salaries paid to local staff involved in data collection and various conservation efforts, their natural capital impact, however, remains relatively modest.
Alumni Projects & Partnerships
-
A Plastic Planet
A Plastic Planet seeks to eliminate plastic pollution by inspiring global change through initiatives like the Plastic Health Council and the PlasticFree platform for creatives. Wilstar supported a successful policy change project contributing to the implementation of the plastic tax
