FAQ

We are a global conservation organization on a mission to build communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Through research, education, innovation, engagement, and collaboration, we turn knowledge of the ocean into practical action for the ocean.

Our mission is to build a global community that takes meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean.

Our vision is a world in which the ocean is healthy and thriving.

We focus on some of the most urgent threats facing the ocean: climate change, ocean pollution and plastics, overfishing, and threats to whale health. Our conservation work is supported by education, youth leadership, research, and community action programs.

Our history begins with the Vancouver Aquarium and several impactful ocean conservation programs launched in the course of engaging and educating the world on marine life: the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup in 1994, Ocean Wise seafood program in 2005, and the BC Cetacean Sighting Network in 2001.

In 2017, inspired by the success of these programs, the Board of Directors at the Vancouver Aquarium set itself a new ambition, to build a robust conservation-first organization to meaningfully take action on the threats most critical for the health of our ocean. This ambition came together with the establishment of Ocean Wise, a new charitable organization that would continue to run the Aquarium, but with conservation as its first priority.

In 2020, as the global COVID pandemic changed many things about our world, we decided to sell the aquarium and establish ourself as an independent ocean conservation organization headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Today, we stay true to our mission of building communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Through research, education, innovation, engagement, and collaboration, we are turning the tide on climate change, ocean pollution and plastic, overfishing and whale health.

We are an independent ocean conservation organization headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with no formal or legal relationship with the Vancouver Aquarium.

You can make a donation online through our donation page. We also provide donor information for Canadian and American supporters, including legal name, charitable tax numbers, mailing address, email, and phone contact details.

For donation and receipting purposes, our legal name is Ocean Wise Conservation Association. Our Canadian Charitable Registration Number is 11928-2119-RR0001 and American Charitable Tax ID Number is 98-0050185.

Yes. For one-time donations of $10 or more made through an online fundraising page, donors receive a thank-you email with the tax receipt attached. Physical receipts are available on request for gifts of $20 or more.

Monthly donors receive one annual receipt in February for the total amount donated during the previous calendar year.

Yes. To make a donation by phone, call our Philanthropy and Partnerships department at 1-800-375-8776. You can also reach our main office at 604-659-3780. To donate by email, send your contribution via e-Transfer or request wiring instructions by emailing [email protected].

Yes. We accept gifts of publicly traded securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual fund units. For more detail on how to donate, and how this option can offset capital gains taxes, visit our Securities page.

Monthly giving provides reliable support that helps us plan and sustain conservation work over time, including programs that protect whales, restore kelp forests, reduce plastic pollution, support sustainable seafood, and empower youth.

No. Monthly donors receive one consolidated annual tax receipt in February for the full amount donated in the previous year.

Yes, monthly donors can update or cancel their gift online at giving.ocean.org/login or by contacting us at [email protected].

Yes. We invite supporters to start fundraisers, whether a birthday, bake sale, marathon, or school event, you can help raise funds in support of a healthier ocean. By fundraising, you are helping build a resilient and vibrant ocean for future generations.

For more information, visit our Start a Fundraiser page.

Yes. We work with corporate partners and supporters in ways that can advance ocean conservation, sustainability goals, employee engagement, and public education. Our team works with yours to build a sponsorship experience that achieves your marketing, brand and sustainability objectives.

Learn more at our Corporate Partnership page.

Yes. In addition to CSR partnerships, we are a 1% For the Planet environmental partner. 1% for the Planet Members make support directly to approved environmental partners and can certify donations as part of their annual commitment. To become a 1% for the Planet member, visit onepercentfortheplanet.org/membership.

There are many different ways to act, learn, and give, such as leading a shoreline cleanup, applying for our youth leadership programs, adopting a killer whale, making a donation, and visiting the Whale Trail BC.

Learn more at our Donate page.

You can lead or join an Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup wherever water meets land. Cleanup data helps identify problematic plastics and informs evidence-based action on pollution.

To learn more, visit our Shoreline Cleanup page.

You can report whale, dolphin, or porpoise sightings through the Whale Report app, the online Whale Report interface, or by phone. These sightings help generate real-time alerts for mariners and support long-term whale research.

Learn more at our Sightings Network page.

The Whale Report Alert System, or WRAS, is a real-time tool that alerts mariners of large vessels when whales are nearby, helping them reduce the risk of striking or disturbing whales.

Learn more at our Whale Report Alert System page.

Ocean Wise Youth programs provide hands-on ocean conservation service experiences across Canada. Past programs have included Ocean Bridge, Ocean Pathways, Youth to Sea, Eco-Action Accelerator, and Ocean Action Grants.

Learn more about our current programs at our Youth Programs page.

Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood is a recommendation program that helps consumers and businesses identify sustainable seafood options. To find out where to buy sustainable seafood or how to become an Ocean Wise Seafood Partner, visit our Sustainable Seafood page.

We work with 700+ partners selling Ocean Wise sustainable seafood, with 1,400+ options to choose from.

Seaforestation is our work to protect, restore, and cultivate kelp forests. Kelp forests provide habitat, support biodiversity, and can contribute to climate and ocean resilience.

To learn more, visit our Seaforestation page.

We take an integrated approach to plastic pollution: introducing people to the issue, collecting data through shoreline cleanup programs, developing industry solutions, and helping individuals, municipalities, and businesses reduce unnecessary plastic use.

The Ocean Wise Plastics Lab is a Vancouver-based research lab focused on microplastic pollution. We work with businesses, governments, universities, municipalities, and other partners to translate research into practical conservation solutions.

Visit our Plastics Lab page.

Ocean Wise Education offers online and in-person ocean literacy programs, including mobile programming, the Ocean Wise Sea Dome, virtual classes, free bilingual education kits, artifact discovery kits, and professional development resources for educators.

Learn more at our Education page.

We take every precaution to ensure that personal information is accurate and up-to-date, including implementing security measures to protect against loss, misuse or unauthorized disclosure of that information.

Read our Privacy Policy.

Our monthly newsletter helps keep you informed about our work and what you can do to help keep the oceans healthy and flourishing. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Join our Mailing List.

For donor questions please contact 604-659-3780, and toll-free 1-800-375-8776, or email [email protected].