What is Oceano Azul Foundation?
Oceano Azul Foundation is a non-profit organisation created by the Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos (SFMS). It works to restore and maintain the ocean’s health and productivity, for the benefit of all life on the planet.
Faced with these challenges, Oceano Azul Foundation has, since 2017, been committed to giving a voice to the ocean, following the motto: “From the ocean’s point of view”.
What is the main goal?
Oceano Azul Foundation was born from the belief that in the present time, going through massive changes, it is urgent to develop new policies that will grant a peaceful and positive coexistence between human development and the protection of the ocean.
Likewise, the Foundation was born out of a strong drive to reconnect Portugal to the sea and to help the country achieve a leading position in European and global agendas on all issues concerning the ocean – presenting Portugal as a forerunner on ocean sustainability.
Who is behind it?
Oceano Azul Foundation was created by Soares dos Santos family through the Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos (SFMS) – a business group with established global notoriety in numerous fields such as distribution, industry, agri-food industry, specialised retail, healthcare, citizenship, and the environment.
The Foundation’s launch was the final step of a process that began back in 2014, when SFMS brought together an interdisciplinary group of international experts in marine affairs to establish a strategic document with the guidelines of Oceano Azul Foundation.
What are its areas of intervention?
Oceano Azul Foundation aims at to restore and maintain the ocean’s health and productivity for the benefit of life on the planet, as a healthy ocean is essential for all life on Earth.
The four axes of action are the following:
• Ocean Conservation – Supporting and contributing to the international commitment of protecting 30% of its ocean.
• Ocean International Advocacy – Influencing the ocean agenda and assisting international decision makers to make sound and informed decisions.
• Ocean Policies, Frameworks, and Economics – Protecting, enhancing, and promoting the concept of blue natural capital.
• Ocean Education and Capacity Building – Raising public awareness on the challenges of ocean sustainability.
What is the connection between Oceano Azul Foundation and the Oceanário de Lisboa?
The Oceanário de Lisboa is Oceano Azul’s window into the ocean.
By establishing an emotional connection with the public, Oceanário de Lisboa is Oceano Azul Foundation’s main asset, contributing to inspire behavioural changes as well as promoting positive personal relationships with the ocean.
Social Entities
Board of Trustees
José Soares dos Santos (Founder / President)
Enric Sala
Kristian Parker
Julie Packard
João Vale de Almeida
Viriato Soromenho-Marques (Special Advisor)
Board of Directors
José Soares dos Santos (President)
Emanuel Gonçalves
Peter Heffernan
Tiago Pitta e Cunha
Karen Sack
Diva Amon
Helena Bento
R. Andreas Kraemer (Special Advisor)
João Falcato Pereira (Special Advisor)
Executive Committee
Tiago Pitta e Cunha (President)
Emanuel Gonçalves
Helena Bento
Main Partners
The creation of the Oceano Azul Foundation was supported by a highly-qualified network of individuals and institutions with whom the Foundation will develop programs and activities in the fields of Education and Conservation of the ocean as well as its management; on the promotion of scientific research and concerning a new environmentally friendly ocean economy.
On a national level, we have the support and collaboration of the scientific system dedicated to the sea research; of universities and other institutions that are linked to the ocean thematic.
These are entities such as the BlueBio Alliance, CCMAR, CIIMAR, Cluster Oceano XXI, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Mare, IPL, University of Aveiro, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa as well as the town councils of Cascais, Mafra, Nazaré and Peniche.
On a broader, international level we now have over thirty leaders of renowned institutions that have pledged their support for the Oceano Azul Foundation.
Press Office and Communication Enquires
Margarida Lucas dos Santos, Senior Brand & Communication Manager of Oceano Azul Foundation
mlsantos@oceanoazulfoundation.org
Maria João Soares
mjsoares@jlma.pt
+351 914 237 487
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