Live Ocean

Live Ocean is a New Zealand registered ocean conservation charity founded by Olympic gold and silver medalists Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. Live Ocean's mission is to amplify and accelerate ocean action in New Zealand.[1] Live Ocean partners with people and projects on marine science and conservation initiatives.[2] Live Ocean relies on donations, which directly support initiatives for ocean health and action in New Zealand.

Activities

Live Ocean's initial project focused on The Race To Save the Endangered Antipodean Albatross, which remains one of their flagship efforts.[3] The charity also supports efforts to monitor and restore populations of the New Zealand sea lion, one of the rarest sea lion species in the world, in partnership with local marine biologists.[4]

Hauraki Gulf

In March 2021, Live Ocean released an online video series aimed at saving the Hauraki Gulf in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. They have a goal of achieving 30 percent protection of the Hauraki Gulf by 2030, as advocated by international scientists.[5] The charity endorsed new protection measures for the Hauraki Gulf announced by the New Zealand government on 22 June 2021.[6]

In April 2024, Aucklander Jono Ridler, supported by Live Ocean, completed a non-stop ultra-distance open water swim from Karaka Bay, Aotea Great Barrier Island, to Narrow Neck Beach, Auckland. This record-breaking 100 km swim highlighted the urgent need for action to protect the Hauraki Gulf.[7]

Citizen Science and Digital Tools

In 2024, Live Ocean launched digital tools to enhance the Marine Metre Squared citizen science project. This initiative empowers communities to monitor local coastal biodiversity, encouraging stewardship and action.[8]

Live Ocean also introduced the "Citizens of the Sea" project, which enables sailors to contribute to marine conservation by collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) and other data to map biodiversity and monitor climate change impacts.[9]

Live Ocean Racing

In addition to its conservation work, Live Ocean established Live Ocean Racing, an independent sailing team aligned with its ocean health mission. The team competes globally and uses the platform to advocate for ocean conservation.[10]

In 2024, Live Ocean Racing participated in the ETF26 Series, with New Zealander Liv Mackay as skipper, supported by Leonard Takahashi and Oscar Gunn. The team competed in events across Spain, France, and Italy.[11]

Funding and Support

Live Ocean relies on public donations to fund its projects. Donations are directed towards marine conservation efforts, ensuring that 100 percent of funds go to support ocean action in New Zealand.[12]

References

  1. ^ "New Zealand marine conservation | Protecting ocean health | Live Ocean - Our mission". Live Ocean. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Live Ocean Charitable Trust | Ocean | Marine conservation New Zealand". Live Ocean. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Olympic and Team NZ sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke establish ocean conservation charity". NZ Herald. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  4. ^ NZ Marine News (15 March 2022). "New Zealand sea lion conservation project receives support from Live Ocean". Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  5. ^ "'We've lost so much': Burling and Tuke release video series to save Hauraki Gulf". NZ Herald. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Live Ocean: Burling and Tuke back expansion of Hauraki Gulf Protection Zones". www.sail-world.com. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Jono Ridler Completes 100km Endurance Swim for the Hauraki Gulf". April 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Marine Metre Squared: A Tool for Ocean Action". Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Citizens of the Sea: Mapping Biodiversity". Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Live Ocean Racing: Sailing for Ocean Health". Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Live Ocean Racing Returns for the 2024 ETF26 Series". Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Support Live Ocean". Retrieved 27 November 2024.