Location: Biliran Island, The Philippines
Rocket Theme: The Environment & Economic Model
Funded since: 2021
Blue Ventures works with local partners in vulnerable coastal areas looking for conservation solutions led by the local community. Their goal is to build sustainable livelihoods through conservation, and they focus on rebuilding fisheries, protecting marine life, tackling poverty and increasing climate resilience. With over two decades experience working alongside coastal communities across the Indian Ocean and further afield, Blue Ventures approach to ocean conservation focuses on safeguarding ocean life in ways that benefit people.
‘We work in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies and are committed to protecting marine biodiversity in ways that benefit coastal people.
Fish stocks are declining from overfishing and habitat destruction, exacerbated by climate breakdown − warming, rising seas, dying reefs, catastrophic storms. Global fisheries production is forecast to collapse by as much as one quarter this century. On current greenhouse gas emission pathways, climate breakdown threatens the survival of marine ecosystems and the people who rely on them for food and income. Our oceans and tropical small-scale fishing communities are facing a deepening environmental and humanitarian emergency on a global scale.’
Watch this video to find out more about their amazing work:
Our Partnership
Since 2021 The Rocket Foundation has partnered with Blue Ventures to enable their expansion into the Philippines.
WHY THE PHILIPPINES:
Marine-Biodiversity
Based in the ‘coral-triangle,’ this is a global epicentre for marine biodiversity
Rich Flora & Fauna
70-80% of the world’s plant and animal species are found there
Population & Livelihoods
50%+ of 107M people live in rural areas; 75% rely on agriculture/fisheries
Ideal for Blue Ventures’ community led approach to biodiversity protection and marine conservation.
Next Steps
The next stage for Blue Ventures in the Philippines is to:
- Establish a network of partners for broader geographical coverage
- Expand community-led marine conservation across a significant marine area
- Achieve a scale crucial for effective ecosystem management
There is an urgent need in the Philippines to help strengthen the rights of small-scale fishers to access, use and manage their traditional fishing grounds. Blue Ventures is working to build a network of local partner organisations to scale up locally led marine marine conservation and fisheries management.
We are thrilled about the upcoming expansion of this vital work.