The Founder

José Soares dos Santos

The founder of Oceano Azul Foundation, José Soares dos Santos welcomes you to the foundation’s website.

DrJoseSoaresdosSantos

«We know that, through the joint efforts of both people and institutions around the world who share our vision; we can develop effective solutions to improve ocean health.»

Founder’s Letter

Climate change, global warming, over-exploitation of resources, acidification, and deoxygenation, are but some of the issues threatening life in the ocean, as well as human life on the planet, in just the past two decades.

It is past time to recognize the ocean as a living ecosystem. To which we all belong. On which we all depend.

The Oceano Azul Foundation was established to take meaningful action for the ocean. To promote environmental sustainability, “from the ocean’s point of view”.

We are on a path of concrete actions, guided by scientific knowledge. With a goal to conserve and protect the ocean, we promote the education of new, blue generations; we work on the development of the blue natural capital concept; we work to build international networks of partners across multiple sectors of activity.

We know that, through the joint efforts of both people and institutions around the world who share our vision; we can develop effective solutions to improve ocean health. These are the progressive changes that help grow our ambitions for environmental sustainability.

The ocean theme is, in fact, increasingly more important within the international agenda; but there is still a lot of work, that must happen now, if we are going to get where we need to be.

We talk about creating marine protected areas; and of recovering species on the verge of extinction. We search for solutions for plastic pollution; as well as methods to fight destructive fishing practices and extractive industries. However, these are only some, of many, urgent threats facing the ocean today.

Every action counts, no matter how small. We believe that the preservation of nature is possible alongside, sustainable development that is both harmonious and conscientious.

For these reasons, at Oceano Azul Foundation, we take words and turn them into actions. We work, day in and day out to help decision-makers and others understand the state of the ocean and encourage them to take the unavoidable decisions that are urgently needed.

The time is now, and, with everyone’s help; we will succeed.

This is the blue future it makes sense to build.

Join us on this mission!

The XXIst century will be the century of the ocean.

José Soares dos Santos

Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos

Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos

Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos (SFMS) was established on August 2nd 1941 by Francisco Manuel dos Santos and his children. The goal was to formalize the participation he had in several companies, such as Jerónimo Martins in which he has co–owned since 1921.

Today, SFMS is an international holding company which manages a range of investments in distinct areas, such as distribution, manufacturing, agri-food, specialized retail, health care services, citizenship and the environment. The main role of SFMS and its shareholders is to ensure the continuity of the group with a vision for the future.

With the experience of more than four generations, Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos is a group that employs more than 90 thousand people, has revenue of €15 billion and directly serves more than 300 million people in various countries.