Marine Conservation organizations in Asia, Australasia and the Pacific region 

ATMEC

ATMEC is a marine science focused initiative by Love Wildlife Foundation, aimed at providing education in marine biology and ecology to students of all ages. ATMEC also prioritises conducting original research and conservation projects, in collaboration with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, in the Gulf of Thailand. The field station is based at Koh Mun Nai, Rayong. Current research projects include studying coral spawning and recruitment, investigating several new species of marine invertebrates, assessing threats to coral reefs from sedimentation to discarded fishing gear, and much more. Education includes dive training, marine ecology courses, and internships.

Atoll Marine Centre

Atoll Marine Centre focuses on running a marine conservation program, community engagement and rehabilitating turtles on the local island Naifaru in Lhaviyani atoll, Maldives. The organization is run by locals with the help and support of international staff and volunteers via Atoll Volunteers (see www.atollvolunteers.com). It is the only initiative on its type in the Maldives run by locals rather than a resort. Through their strong focus on environmental education, they involve the local community both on Naifaru Island and in the entire Lhaviyani atoll in the protection of the local environment. They rescue and rehabilitate turtles at their rescue centre located on Naifaru Island run by marine biologists and a veterinarian, with the aim get them healthy and back into the ocean as soon as possible. They also run coral restoration projects.

Australian Conservation Foundation

ACF is Australia's national environment organization which advocates on issues which pose a threat to the natural world, including mining projects which threaten the reefs and marine life.

Australian Institute of Marine Science

The governmental tropical marine research agency in Australia, AIMS provides large-scale, long-term and world-class research that helps governments, industry and the wider community to make informed decisions about the management of Australia’s marine areas. Via innovative scientific and technological research, together with industry and research partnerships, they collect comprehensive data about all aspects of marine life in Australia, for use by interested parties for the protection and maintenance of the marine environment, including the tropical Australian coral reefs. Note that the AIMS facilities are not open to the public, and anyone interested should consult the website contacts for requests.

Australian Marine Conservation Society

Australian Marine Conservation Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the health and vitality of Australia's coasts and seas. AMCS provides leadership on a wide range of marine issues throughout Australia including marine parks, fisheries, threatened species and land-based pollution.

Baileo

Baileo is helping to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) off the coast of Haruku, Nusalaut, and Saparua Islands, all small islands in Maluku Province of Indonesia. Baileo is leading communities in data collection, site delineation, and creation of MPA management committees. A key element of the work is the recognition and use of traditional law and practice to establish the MPA. In 2020 they were involved in a biophysical survey on the coast of Nusalaut Island conducted with the support of Blue Ventures (BV) and Full Circle Foundation (FCF). Part of their strategy is for the local indigenous community to develop local practices in sustainable natural resource management.

Balyena.org

Balyena describe themselves as ‘a group of scientists, professionals, artists & more’, who use their ‘skills & experiences for marine mammal conservation in the Philippines’. They promote scientific research and conservation of cetaceans in the area. Recognising the value of local knowledge, and local community involvement, they adapt their conservation methods accordingly. Research, education and conservation are the cornerstones of their activities, which includes studies on known cetacean populations in different regions of the Philippines and investigation of new sites where sightings have been reported.

BandaSea

BandaSEA eV is a non-profit association based in Bonn. Their goal is to protect the underwater world of the Banda Sea in Indonesia by working with the local population of the Banda Islands to find solutions to problems such as plastic waste and overfishing. The area has extremely rich marine life, including superb coral reefs. Since 2012, the main focus of BandSea has been on preventing plastic waste from threatening these sensitive ecosystems. At the same time, they work with local organizations in support of the establishment of marine protected areas in the area.

Barefoot Conservation

Barefoot Conservation is a not-for-profit organisation that runs marine conservation and community based volunteer projects in Indonesia. Their focus is on grass roots conservation and community action, with the aim of engaging, educating and empowering the local community 'to make sustainable conservation a way of life, not just a project'. Their programme includes coral reef monitoring, Manta Ray research, and the elimination of Crown of Thorns starfish which are destroying coral reefs. Their main project is on the island of Arborek in Raja Ampat Regency, in the West Papua province of Indonesia.

Big Blue Conservation

Big Blue Conservation aims to protect the Koh Tao ecosystem in Thailand, and to inspire and build a global team of conservationists through education. As a marine conservation school, they actively contribute to pioneering marine research, with ongoing field research like diver-related reef damage, the impact of discarded nets on the reefs, and the recovery of corals from mass bleaching events. With a team dedicated to such scientific research, they work at formulating the policies and guidelines required to protect coral reefs for the future.

Big Blue Ocean Cleanup

Big Blue Ocean Cleanup is focused on cleaning beaches and the oceans, protecting wildlife, ocean research and innovative technologies development. Working across the globe, they help keep the oceans clean with cleanups, create educational resources for schools, send out cleanup equipment to community groups, research ocean pollution and raise awareness for clean oceans.

Bloom Association

BLOOM works to preserve the marine environment and species from unnecessary destruction and to increase social benefits in the fishing sector. In keeping with the mission to protect the oceans with concrete solutions, BLOOM conducts highly visible awareness and advocacy campaigns, informing the public, companies, institutions and leaders. Their research and evaluations highlight critical issues, such as the financing mechanisms of the fishing sector, destructive fishing methods such as electric pulse fishing. Their advocacy includes campaigning for protection of sharks and rays, and sustainable fishing.