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.{{Cite web|url=https://liveocean.com/mission/|title=New Zealand marine conservation {{!}} Protecting ocean health {{!}} Live Ocean - Our mission|website=Live Ocean|language=en-US|access-date=22 April 2020}} Live Ocean partners with people and projects on marine science and conservation initiatives.{{Cite web|url=https://liveocean.com/|title=Live Ocean Charitable Trust {{!}} Ocean {{!}} Marine conservation New Zealand|website=Live Ocean|language=en-US|access-date=22 April 2020}} 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.{{cite web |title=Olympic and Team NZ sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke establish ocean conservation charity |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12283926 |website=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=15 November 2019}} 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.{{cite web|title=New Zealand sea lion conservation project receives support from Live Ocean|author=NZ Marine News|date=15 March 2022|url=https://nzmarinenews.com/sea-lion-conservation|access-date=27 November 2024}}

= 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.{{Cite web|title='We've lost so much': Burling and Tuke release video series to save Hauraki Gulf|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/weve-lost-so-much-team-nzs-peter-burling-and-blair-tukes-live-ocean-charity-release-new-video-series-to-save-hauraki-gulf/MJIUX6G73BVSIYK2654Y3GDN5Y/|access-date=17 January 2022|website=The New Zealand Herald|date=10 November 2019 |language=en-NZ}} The charity endorsed new protection measures for the Hauraki Gulf announced by the New Zealand government on 22 June 2021.{{Cite web|title=Live Ocean: Burling and Tuke back expansion of Hauraki Gulf Protection Zones|url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/238820/Live-Ocean-back-expansion-of-Gulf-protection|access-date=17 January 2022|website=sail-world.com}}

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.{{cite web|title=Jono Ridler Completes 100km Endurance Swim for the Hauraki Gulf|url=https://www.greatbarrier.co.nz/live-ocean-jono-ridler-to-attempt-nz-record-100km-endurance-swim-for-the-hauraki-gulf/|date=April 2024|access-date=27 November 2024}}

= 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.{{Cite web|title=Marine Metre Squared: A Tool for Ocean Action|url=https://liveocean.com/project/|access-date=27 November 2024}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Citizens of the Sea: Mapping Biodiversity|url=https://liveocean.org/project/citizens-of-the-sea/|access-date=27 November 2024}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Live Ocean Racing: Sailing for Ocean Health|url=https://liveocean.com/live-ocean-racing/|access-date=27 November 2024}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Live Ocean Racing Returns for the 2024 ETF26 Series|url=https://www.sail-world.com/news/273425/Mackay-Takahashi-and-Gunn-make-up-Live-Ocean-Racing|access-date=27 November 2024}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Support Live Ocean|url=https://givealittle.co.nz/org/live-ocean|access-date=27 November 2024}}

References

External links

[http://www.liveocean.com Official website]

Category:Marine conservation organizations

Category:Environmental organisations based in New Zealand

Category:Nature conservation organisations based in New Zealand