Becht Foundation

Oceans provide 50% of the oxygen we breathe. They are the world’s largest carbon sink and crucial to regulating the world’s climate. They are the main source of animal protein for over a billion people and provide livelihoods for 200 million citizens worldwide. Oceans are the foundation of all life on Earth, but they are under serious threat. The warming of oceans due to climate change, unsustainable levels of overfishing, acidification and pollution due to untreated sewage, agricultural and industrial run off, as well as the dumping of plastic and other waste, are some of those threats. There are proven examples worldwide that show ocean ecosystems are resilient. They can be restored much faster than land-based ones with the right interventions. Some examples of these interventions are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), greater transparency and stronger enforcement of sustainable fishing practices, and innovations in food systems, especially in animal & fish feed and plant-based alternatives for animal & fish protein. The faster rate of recovery and resilience of ocean ecosystems combined with the fact that the marine space is chronically underfunded is the very reason for our focus on marine conservation.