2024-10-19T09:48:20-05:00 2023-12-31 111986323 MARCUM LLP 1899 L STREET NW SUITE 850 WASHINGTON DC 20036 990 2023-01-01 510401308 OCEANA INC OCEA 2028333900 1025 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW 200 WASHINGTON DC 20036 CHRISTOPHER M SHARKEY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 2028333900 2024-10-18 1 0 AARON M FOX P01365820 2022274000 2024-10-18 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z CHRISTOPHER M SHARKEY 1025 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW 200 WASHINGTON DC 20036 47513849 0 X WWW.OCEANA.ORG X 2001 DC TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGES BY GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS IN ORDER TO PRESERVE OCEAN LIFE AND RETURN THE OCEANS TO THEIR FORMER ABUNDANCE. 26 25 150 18092 50000 39480 44130233 46283312 0 0 8208 504729 -170654 -290045 43967787 46497996 1936194 1344393 0 0 25245531 29094835 207501 172256 4584369 14110884 14888931 41500110 45500415 2467677 997581 74617155 74734235 14329504 13446874 60287651 61287361 X SEE SCHEDULE O. 0 0 16596797 700485 INTERNATIONALBELIZEPROTECT THE MESOAMERICAN REEFOCEANA'S CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT BELIZE'S MARINE RESOURCES FROM THE THREAT OF OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING SECURED AN IMPORTANT VICTORY: BELIZE HAS PASSED A LAW REQUIRING THE GOVERNMENT TO "ASK BELIZE FIRST" BEFORE IT CONDUCTS ANY OIL AND GAS ACTIVITY, INCLUDING EXPLORATION, AND PRIOR TO ANY ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE MORATORIUM ACT WHICH BELIZE PASSED IN 2017 AFTER CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND ITS ALLIES. ANY SUCH ACTION NOW REQUIRES A NATIONAL REFERENDUM PRIOR TO MOVING IN ANY WAY TOWARDS DRILLING IN BELIZEAN WATERS.THIS IS A MAJOR VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY BECAUSE THE LAW EMPOWERS CITIZENS THROUGH A DECISION-MAKING PROCESS ON AN ISSUE THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE HEARTS OF MOST BELIZEANS. THIS IS ALSO A PRECEDENT THAT WE BELIEVE WILL HELP US WIN REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONAL REFERENDA ON OTHER THREATS TO BELIZE'S TREASURED BARRIER REEF, SUCH AS PROPOSED CRUISE SHIP TERMINALS, AGREEMENTS TO ALLOW DISTANT WATER FLEETS LIKE TAIWAN TO FISH IN NATIONAL WATERS, AND MORE. MORE BROADLY, IT PUTS US ON A PATH TO BRING DEMOCRACY TO OCEAN ISSUES THAT ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO LEAVE IN THE HANDS OF GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY ALONE.BRAZILDEFENDING THE BOTTOM TRAWLING BAN IN RIO GRANDE DO SULIN A 9-1 VOTE, BRAZIL'S SUPREME COURT UPHELD A LAW IN THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL THAT BANS INDUSTRIAL BOTTOM TRAWLING, A HIGHLY DESTRUCTIVE FORM OF FISHING THAT CLEAR-CUTS THE SEAFLOOR. PRIOR TO THE 2018 BAN, BOTTOM TRAWLING WAS DEPLETING FISH STOCKS, THREATENING MARINE BIODIVERSITY, AND DESTROYING HABITAT, ALL OF WHICH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY RELIES ON TO SUPPORT THEIR LIVELIHOODS. OCEANA CAMPAIGNED ALONGSIDE ARTISANAL FISHERS TO PASS THIS LAW IN 2018, WHICH SAFEGUARDS THE ENTIRE STATE'S 630-KILOMETER LONG COAST AND THE FIRST 20 KILOMETERS OFFSHORE (MORE THAN 13,000 SQUARE KILOMETERS). SINCE THEN, LOCAL COMMUNITIES HAVE SEEN MANY FISH STOCKS RECOVER. THE SUPREME COURT DECISION REINFORCES THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LAW TO ENSURING THE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR MORE THAN 20,000 FAMILIES WHO RELY ON ARTISANAL FISHING IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL. REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTICSBRAZIL'S MUSEUM OF TOMORROW (MOT) ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 22, 2023, WORLD WATER DAY, THAT IT IS NOW THE FIRST PLASTIC-FREE ZONE (PFZ) IN THE COUNTRY. OCEANA COLLABORATED WITH THE FUTURISTIC SCIENCE MUSEUM TO FIRST ESTABLISH THE MUSEUM'S PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH WAS WIDELY SUPPORTED BY EMPLOYEES AND INCLUDED AUDITING THE DISPOSABLE PLASTICS USED IN THE MUSEUM'S OPERATIONS, CREATING A PLASTIC-FREE EVENT GUIDE, AND ENGAGING EXTERNAL SUPPLIERS. DURING THE PILOT PHASE, MOT AND OCEANA FOUND SOLUTIONS TO ELIMINATE MOST SINGLE-USE PLASTIC ITEMS, SUCH AS BOTTLES, CUPS, BAGS, AND PLASTIC FILM. AS A NEXT STEP, THE MUSEUM WILL EXTEND PLASTIC-FREE REQUIREMENTS TO VISITORS, MARKING AN END TO THE SALE, USE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS ON MUSEUM PREMISES.MODERNIZE BRAZIL'S FISHERIES LAW (11,959/2009)WE SECURED SUPPORT FROM THE FISHING INDUSTRY FOR ALMOST ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO REFORM BRAZIL'S FISHERIES LAW THAT WE DEVELOPED WITH ARTISANAL FISHERS AND THEY ARE PART OF A BILL TO AMEND THE LAW. OUR CAMPAIGN THIS PERIOD HAS FOCUSED ON FACILITATING NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE INDUSTRIAL AND ARTISANAL FISHING SECTORS AND ENGAGING OTHER NGOS AND ALLIES IN THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH SHARES RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE FISHERIES MINISTRIES FOR FISHING POLICY. WE LAUNCHED OUR THIRD ANNUAL FISHERIES AUDIT, RECOGNIZED IN BRAZIL AS A BENCHMARK REPORT, UPDATING THE STATUS OF BRAZIL'S FISHERIES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. POLICYMAKERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS USE THE REPORT TO UNDERSTAND THE STATE OF BRAZIL'S FISHERIES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT.IMPLEMENT CATCH LIMITS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERIESOCEANA'S RECOMMENDATION FOR A SCIENCE-BASED LOBSTER CATCH LIMIT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM THE ARTISANAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS AND THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT. LIMIT CONTROLS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE LOBSTER PROCESSING AND EXPORT COMPANIES, AND WE EXPECT A NEW RULE DETAILING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLYING WITH CATCH LIMITS TO BE PUBLISHED IN 2024, FOR A CAMPAIGN VICTORY.OCEANA WAS AWARDED THE SALVA DE PRATA, A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SAO PAULO TO ACKNOWLEDGE INSTITUTIONS, SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, AND OTHER ENTITIES THAT HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO SAO PAULO. THE AWARD EMPHASIZED HOW OCEANA HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE CITY'S EFFORT TO CURB PLASTIC POLLUTION, THROUGH OUR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SUCCESS CREATING OPEN DIALOGUE. AS LATIN AMERICA'S MOST POPULOUS CITY, SAO PAULO HOLDS THE POTENTIAL TO INSPIRE CHANGE FAR BEYOND ITS BORDERS.OCEANA CANADAIN 2023, OCEANA INC. PROVIDED CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND IN-KIND SUPPORT TO OCEANA CANADA, AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION INCORPORATED UNDER CANADIAN LAW. WITH OUR SUPPORT, OCEANA CANADA ACHIEVED THE FOLLOWING VICTORIES:REBUILD CANADA'S FISHERIESOUR SEVENTH ANNUAL FISHERY AUDIT IDENTIFIED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE IN THE STATUS OF CANADA'S FISH STOCKS. LESS THAN 1/3 OF CANADA FISH STOCKS ARE KNOWN TO BE HEALTHY 55 STOCKS IN ARE IN THE HEALTHY ZONE, 35 STOCKS ARE CAUTIOUS, 28 ARE CRITICAL AND 76 ARE OF AN UNCERTAIN STATUS. OCEANA HAS MET EXTENSIVELY WITH FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA (DFO) MANAGERS ACROSS CANADA TO BRIEF THEM ON THE FINDINGS OF THE AUDIT AND VALIDATE THE RESULTS.PROTECT OCEAN HABITAT IN CANADAOCEANA RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROHIBITED INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE DRAFT REGULATIONS FOR THE OFFSHORE PACIFIC MPA. ON FEBRUARY 18, 2023, THE GOVERNMENT RELEASED DRAFT REGULATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF A NEW MARINE PROTECTED AREA NAMED TANG.GWAN - HACXIQAK - TSIGIS (THE NAME IS A COMBINATION OF HAIDA, PACHEEDAHT AND QUATSINO LANGUAGES ROUGHLY TRANSLATING TO "CREATURE IN THE DEEP OCEAN"). THE REGULATIONS REFLECT ALL OF OCEANA'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND ENJOY FULL SUPPORT FROM PARTNER FIRST NATIONS. THE NEW MPA WILL COVER 133,019 SQ KM AND ENCOMPASS 93 PERCENT OF KNOWN SEAMOUNTS IN CANADIAN WATERS. THIS MPA CONTRIBUTES 2.31 PERCENT TOWARD CANADA'S COMMITMENT TO PROTECT 30 PERCENT BY 2030. ALL BOTTOM TRAWLING WILL BE PROHIBITED IN THE NEW MPA. FISHING THAT DOES NOT USE BOTTOM-TRAWLS WILL BE MANAGED VERTICALLY THROUGH THE WATER COLUMN, WITH DEEPWATER AND MIDWATER FISHERIES PROHIBITED BELOW 500 M DEPTH ACROSS THE WHOLE MPA AND RESTRICTED TO A DEPTH OF 100 M IN SHALLOWER ZONES AROUND SPECIFIC SEAMOUNTS. ALL OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES, DEEP-SEA MINING, AND DUMPING OF WASTE ARE ALSO PROHIBITED.REDUCE NON-ESSENTIAL SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PACKAGING IN CANADAWE LAUNCHED A NEW REPORT, BREAKING THE PLASTIC CYCLE, WHICH OUTLINES A NATIONAL POLICY ROADMAP TOWARD ELIMINATING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC. THE REPORT IDENTIFIES THE SEVEN SECTORS THAT ARE THE GREATEST SOURCES OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC, COLLECTIVELY GENERATING 41 PERCENT OF PLASTIC PACKAGING WASTE IN CANADA. IN A MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA AND SENIOR OFFICIALS WORKING ON FEDERAL PLASTIC REGULATIONS PRIOR TO THE PUBLICATION OF OUR REPORT, THE MINISTER DIRECTED HIS STAFF TO MOVE ON OCEANA'S KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2024.PROTECT CAPELIN ABUNDANCEWE ARE ON TRACK FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FORMAL CAPELIN REBUILDING PLAN WORKING GROUP, AND WE ARE PUSHING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY IN DECISION-MAKING TO ENSURE THAT THAT THE CAPELIN LIMIT REFERENCE POINT HAS A GOAL OF REBUILDING. WE ARE DOING THIS THROUGH STRONG WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, SUCH AS THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, FIRST NATIONS, MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, AND KEY ADVISORS TO POLICYMAKERS, TO FIRMLY ESTABLISH OCEANA AS A VOICE FOR SCIENCE-BASED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN A COMPLICATED POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT. 10347631 588215 UNITED STATESIN THE UNITED STATES, OCEANA IS WORKING ON SCIENCE-BASED POLICY CAMPAIGNS THAT SEEK TO ADVANCE RESPONSIBLE FISHING, STOP NEW OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT, REDUCE ILLEGAL FISHING, PROTECT HABITAT, PROTECT THE NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE, REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTICS, AND DEFEND THE NATION'S BEDROCK CONSERVATION LAWS.STOP THE EXPANSION OF OFFSHORE DRILLINGTHE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FINALIZED ITS FIVE-YEAR PLAN FOR OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING WITH THE FEWEST NUMBER OF PROPOSED LEASE SALES TO DATE. THE PLAN OFFERS THREE LEASE SALES IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO, AND FULLY PROTECTS THE ATLANTIC, PACIFIC, ARCTIC, AND EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO FROM NEW OFFSHORE DRILLING. THIS FIVE-YEAR PLAN PROCESS BEGAN IN 2018 UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHO PROPOSED 47 OFFSHORE DRILLING LEASE SALES, THE LARGEST NUMBER EVER PROPOSED. OCEANA WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN STOPPING THE EXPANSION OF DRILLING BEYOND THE GULF OF MEXICO AND MINIMIZING NEW LEASE SALES IN THE GULF. OCEANA WILL CONTINUE TO CAMPAIGN WITH OUR ALLIES TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT U.S. COASTS FROM NEW OFFSHORE DRILLING, WHICH WILL HELP FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE AND SAFEGUARD THE COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES, AND WILDLIFE THAT RELY ON A HEALTHY OCEAN.DETER ILLEGAL FISHING THROUGH TRANSPARENCYIN NOVEMBER 2023, WE SUFFERED A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) WITHDREW THE PROPOSED RULE THAT WOULD HAVE EXPANDED AND STRENGTHENED THE SEAFOOD IMPORT MONITORING PROGRAM (SIMP) BY ADDING ADDITIONAL SPECIES AT RISK OF IUU FISHING AND SEAFOOD FRAUD (NOTABLY INCLUDING SQUID). NOAA HAS STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A FULL REVIEW OF SIMP AND HAS BEGUN A SERIES OF LISTENING SESSIONS WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO EXPAND, CONTRACT, OR END THE PROGRAM.HABITAT PROTECTIONIN THE UNITED STATES, THE PACIFIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL VOTED TO REOPEN MORE THAN 4,500 SQUARE MILES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OCEAN WATERS TO RECREATIONAL AND NON-TRAWL COMMERCIAL GEAR USED TO CATCH GROUNDFISH WHILE ALSO PERMANENTLY PROTECTING MORE THAN 600 SQUARE MILES OF HABITAT INCLUDING ALMOST HALF OF THE AREA'S KNOWN DEEP-SEA CORALS. THESE AREAS INCLUDE CORAL AND SPONGE ECOSYSTEMS DISCOVERED BY OCEANA DURING A 2016 SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION. THE ENTIRE AREA REMAINS CLOSED TO BOTTOM TRAWLING. THIS VICTORY IS A WIN-WIN FOR FISHING COMMUNITIES AND OCEAN BIODIVERSITY AND IS THE RESULT OF A UNIQUE COLLABORATION BETWEEN RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN, OCEANA, AND THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE WHO WORKED TOGETHER TO DESIGN THE NEW CONSERVATION AREAS. THE COUNCIL ALSO VOTED TO PROTECT FIVE ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT AREAS OFF THE OREGON COAST FROM ALL FORMS OF FISHING GEAR USED TO CATCH GROUNDFISH AND KNOWN TO HARM SEAFLOOR HABITATS, INCLUDING BOTTOM LONGLINES AND POTS. THESE FIVE AREAS, WHICH TOTAL 182 SQUARE MILES, ARE ALREADY PROTECTED FROM BOTTOM TRAWLING, AND WILL NOW RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF PROTECTION WITH THIS ACTION. OCEANA WAS SUCCESSFUL IN OUR CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT DEEP-SEA HABITAT IN THE GULF OF ALASKA BY ENSURING THAT FEDERAL ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN DESIGNATIONS INCLUDE CORAL AND SPONGE HABITATS. THE ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT DESCRIPTIONS FOR SEVERAL COMMERCIAL STOCKS, INCLUDING GOLDEN KING CRAB, YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH, ATKA MACKEREL, AND NORTHERN ROCKFISH, NOW INCLUDE SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO CORAL AND SPONGE HABITATS BECAUSE OCEANA ELEVATED THEIR IMPORTANCE AS ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT (EFH). (CONGRESS ESTABLISHED THE EFH MANDATE IN 1996 TO IMPROVE THE NATION'S MAIN FISHERIES LAW THE MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY HABITAT FOR COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERIES.)REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTICSSEN. JEFF MERKLEY (OR) AND REP. JARED HUFFMAN (CA) REINTRODUCED THE OCEANA-BACKED BREAK FREE FROM PLASTIC POLLUTION ACT ON OCTOBER 25, 2023, WITH 45 U.S. REPRESENTATIVES AND 11 SENATORS JOINING AS COSPONSORS. OUR FIELD TEAM AND POLICY STAFF RECRUITED BILL SUPPORTERS, WHO INCLUDE MEMBERS FROM ALL OF THE STATES WHERE OCEANA HAS FIELD REPRESENTATIVES AND FIVE NEW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. THE UPDATED VERSION OF THE BILL WOULD SET STRONG NATIONAL SOURCE REDUCTION TARGETS, PHASE OUT THE MOST PROBLEMATIC SINGLE-USE PLASTICS, INCLUDING PLASTIC FOAM, AND SUPPORT REUSE AND REFILL SYSTEMS.ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2023, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND OTHER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAUS RELEASED THEIR FINALIZED PLANS TO PHASE OUT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS BY 2032. OCEANA HAS BEEN CALLING ON THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT TO PUBLICLY RELEASE THESE PLANS, WHICH WERE A PART OF INTERIOR SECRETARY DEB HAALAND'S JUNE 2022 ORDER ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS. WE APPLAUDED SECRETARY HAALAND'S COMMITMENT TO REDUCING PLASTICS AND SUPPORT OF REFILL AND REUSE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING PRIORITIZING WATER BOTTLE REFILLING STATIONS, AND URGED THE DEPARTMENT TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY, INCLUDING IMMEDIATELY PHASING OUT PLASTIC FOAM FOOD WARE.FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES, DELAWARE ENACTED A LAW TO PHASE OUT PLASTIC FOAM FOOD WARE AND REDUCE OTHER UNNECESSARY SINGLE-USE PLASTICS. SPECIFICALLY, THE LAW PROHIBITS RESTAURANTS AND OTHER FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS FROM PROVIDING POLYSTYRENE FOAM FOOD CONTAINERS, PLASTIC BEVERAGE STIRRERS, AND PLASTIC COCKTAIL AND SANDWICH PICKS, AND REQUIRES THAT SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS ONLY BE PROVIDED AT THE CUSTOMER'S REQUEST. EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE IS A FORM OF PLASTIC FOAM, MADE FROM FOSSIL FUELS, AND IS COMMONLY USED FOR FOOD CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING. THIS DISPOSABLE PACKAGING IS USUALLY THROWN AWAY AFTER A SINGLE USE AND BREAKS UP INTO SMALLER PIECES THAT ARE HARD TO CLEAN UP, DISPERSE RAPIDLY DUE TO THEIR LIGHTWEIGHT NATURE, AND CAN PERSIST IN THE ENVIRONMENT FOR DECADES. WITH THIS NEW LAW, DELAWARE JOINS A GROWING LIST OF U.S. STATES AND CITIES THAT HAVE TAKEN LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO TACKLE THE PLASTIC POLLUTION CRISIS. FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES, OREGON PASSED TWO NEW LAWS TO COMBAT THE PLASTIC POLLUTION CRISIS. THE FIRST LAW PHASES OUT POLYSTYRENE FOAM FOOD WARE, PACKING PEANUTS, AND COOLERS. PLASTIC FOAM IS NOT ACCEPTED IN CURBSIDE RECYCLING AND IS ONE OF THE TOP ITEMS FOUND POLLUTING OREGON'S BEACHES. THIS TYPE OF PLASTIC OFTEN BREAKS UP INTO SMALLER PIECES, DISPERSES EASILY, AND CAN PERSIST IN THE ENVIRONMENT FOR CENTURIES. THIS LAW WILL ALSO BAN PFAS, NICKNAMED "FOREVER CHEMICALS," FROM FOOD PACKAGING BECAUSE THEY ACCUMULATE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND POSE A THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH. THE SECOND LAW REQUIRES THE STATE'S HEALTH CODE TO ENABLE RESTAURANTS TO USE REUSABLE CONTAINERS TO SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS.FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA, THE PLASTICS FREE WASHINGTON COALITION, AND OTHER ALLIES, A NEW LAW PASSED IN WASHINGTON THAT INCREASES ACCESS TO REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE OPTIONS, REQUIRES HOTELS TO ELIMINATE SINGLE-USE PLASTICS FOR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS, AND REDUCES POLLUTION FROM PLASTIC FOAM-FILLED FLOATS AND DOCKS. SPECIFICALLY, IT REQUIRES THAT NEW BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED WITH WATER FOUNTAINS ALSO CONTAIN BOTTLE REFILLING STATIONS; PHASES OUT THE USE OF SMALL PLASTIC CONTAINERS, WRAPPERS, AND PACKAGING FOR PERSONAL CARE ITEMS LIKE SHAMPOO OR SOAP BY HOTELS AND OTHER LODGING ESTABLISHMENTS; BANS SOFT PLASTIC FILM-WRAPPED FLOATS AND DOCKS; AND MANDATES A STUDY OF HARD-SHELL, FOAM-FILLED FLOATS AND DOCKS. A 2023 POLL CONDUCTED BY OCEANA FOUND THAT 92% OF WASHINGTON VOTERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND 87% SUPPORT LOCAL AND STATE POLICIES THAT REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC.FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND ITS ALLIES, NEW YORK CITY LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL REQUIRING THAT RESTAURANTS, FOOD DELIVERY APPS, AND ONLINE DELIVERY PLATFORMS ONLY PROVIDE CERTAIN SINGLE-USE ITEMS INCLUDING PLASTIC UTENSILS AND CONDIMENT PACKETS IF REQUESTED BY THE CUSTOMER. SINGLE-USE PLASTIC FOOD WARE, INCLUDING UTENSILS, IS A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF PLASTIC WASTE IN NEW YORK CITY THE LARGEST CITY IN THE U.S. A 2022 OCEANA POLL FOUND THAT 83% OF REGISTERED NEW YORK STATE VOTERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF PLASTIC ITEMS USED IN FOOD DELIVERY AND TAKEOUT, AND 88% SUPPORT LOCAL AND STATE POLICIES TO REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC. PLASTIC IS ONE OF THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTORS TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND IS ENTERING THE OCEAN AT AN ALARMING RATE. SCIENTISTS ESTIMATE THAT 33 BILLION POUNDS OF PLASTIC WASH INTO THE OCEAN EVERY YEAR. 3164073 MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONSKEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF OCEANA'S MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT IN 2023 ARE HIGHLIGHTED BELOW:- OCEANA GREW OUR GRASSROOTS BASE TO 6.3 MILLION ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORTERS.- OCEANA HAS 9 MILLION SUPPORTERS WORLDWIDE. 2532980 55693 MARINE SCIENCE 568880 LAW 3101860 55693 33210361 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 X 126 0 1 150 1 1 1 1 BE BH CI SP UK DA RP BR PE MX SZ 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 26 25 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY X X X DEDRIA TAYLOR 2024671959 1025 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW 200 WASHINGTON DC 20036 SAM WATERSTON CHAIR 7.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARA EUGENIA GIRON VICE-CHAIR 3.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 KEITH ADDIS PRESIDENT 6.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES SANDLER SECRETARY 3.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 DIANA THOMSON TREASURER 3.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 GARY ALAZRAKI DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 HERBERT M BEDOLFE III DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 TED DANSON DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 NICHOLAS DAVIS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MAYA GABEIRA DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 CESAR GAVIRIA DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 LOIC GOUZER DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 JENA KING DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 BEN KOERNER DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 SARA LOWELL DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR KRISTIAN PARKER DIRECTOR 3.00 X 0 0 0 DR DANIEL PAULY DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID ROCKEFELLER JR DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN ROCKEFELLER DIRECTOR 6.00 X 0 0 0 LEX SANT DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 SIMON SIDAMON-ERISTOFF DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR RASHID SUMALIA DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 VALARIE VAN CLEAVE DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH WAHLER DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 ANTHA WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 JEAN WEISS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW F SHARPLESS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 40.00 1.00 X 548376 0 62873 CHRISTOPHER M SHARKEY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00 1.00 X 304534 0 57904 JAMES F SIMON PRESIDENT & GENERAL COUNSEL 40.00 1.00 X 432751 0 68384 BETH LOWELL-NIEMEC VICE PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES 40.00 X 207026 0 55553 JACQUELINE SAVITZ CHIEF POLICY OFFICER, NORTH AMERICA 40.00 X 320917 0 62998 NANCY GOLDEN VP, GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT 40.00 X 284759 0 48094 ERIC BILSKY SR ATTORNEY ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL 40.00 X 216778 0 29402 KATHY WHELPLEY CHIEF OF STAFF 40.00 X 278425 0 63140 MATTHEW LITTLEJOHN SR. VP, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 40.00 X 259625 0 61340 PASCALE MOEHRLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EUROPE 40.00 X 235481 0 0 SONYA BETHEA SR. DIR., GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES 40.00 X 231552 0 41879 3320224 0 551567 59 0 1 0 HYATT REGENCY CHESAPEAKE BAY GOLF RESORT 100 HERON BLVD CAMBRIDGE MD 21613 INTERNATIONAL ALL-STAFF MEETING VENUE 315876 DANA POINT BEACH RESORT LLC ONE MONARCH BEACH RESORT DANA POINT CA 92629 SEACHANGE FUNDRAISING EVENT VENUE 315226 O'CONNOR CONSULTING SERVICES LLC 4770 HOWARD PLACE CHESAPEAKE BEACH MD 20732 FINANCE CONSULTANT 268518 GREENHOUSE PR LTD 3RD FLOOR ST THOMAS COURT THOMAS BRISTOL UK BS16JG STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT 227409 OMBRELLO AGENCY LLC 2737 RINCONIA DRIVE LOS ANGELES CA 90068 EVENT PLANNER FOR ROCK UNDER THE STARS E 203000 19 208689 4202540 1044252 109511 40718320 454713 46283312 489381 489381 258534 243186 15348 15348 15348 534151 4202540 772667 -238516 -238516 PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES 516210 50000 50000 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 28804 28804 FOREIGN CURRENCY LOSS 900099 -130333 -130333 -51529 46497996 0 50000 164684 351452 351452 992941 992941 2454169 1544507 459989 449673 20812475 16229665 3184993 1397817 1463438 1043517 292593 127328 2287528 1602932 461296 223300 2077225 1704085 249724 123416 363784 311509 33881 18394 771779 225537 546242 218212 218212 172256 172256 3589157 2123375 706226 759556 1060985 803972 13008 244005 1307002 851498 130854 324650 541797 275081 218331 48385 2076199 1505504 418437 152258 2042580 1780739 101198 160643 1045538 591085 356137 98316 5074 5074 608358 237148 371210 472346 360905 69383 42058 EQUIPMENT RENTAL/MAINT. 473347 226939 18255 228153 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 239041 221853 6506 10682 MISCELLANEOUS 73732 2831 67422 3479 45500415 33210361 7705685 4584369 36209754 20683277 5523867 18635757 17697962 23430484 2760573 393105 688355 655981 7564036 5917571 2028589 1646465 96204 458358 1582548 1930163 8029303 6900645 74617155 74734235 3116793 3734315 11212711 9712559 14329504 13446874 X 31759759 32080660 28527892 29206701 60287651 61287361 74617155 74734235 997581 2129 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 38559747 36535664 35658526 44130233 46283312 201167482 38559747 36535664 35658526 44130233 46283312 201167482 56077194 145090288 60659 65170 14709 11963 489381 641882 2365 39480 41845 13334 180737 3799 28804 226674 202077883 450274 0.71800 0.66650 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: MISCELLANEOUS - 2020 AMOUNT: $ 13,334. 2021 AMOUNT: $ 180,737. 2022 AMOUNT: $ 3,799. 2023 AMOUNT: $ 28,804. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 36046 940422 976468 44208041 45184509 1000000 250000 0 0 1000000 1000000 1000000 1000000 4000000 6000000 433684 487610 309406 976468 2207168 250000 250000 250000 250000 1000000 1500000 131276 192464 41695 36046 401481 2860120 1595670 1264450 1369787 1226394 143393 3334129 3095507 238622 1646465 RIGHT OF USE ASSET - OPERATING 6638308 DEPOSITS 248859 DUE FROM AFFILIATE 13478 6900645 LEASE LIABILITY - OPERATING 9712559 9712559 X 48050873 2129 837468 772667 1612264 46438609 59387 59387 46497996 47051163 837468 772667 1610135 45441028 59387 59387 45500415 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION PERFORMED AN EVALUATION OF UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO MATTERS THAT WOULD REQUIRE RECOGNITION IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR THAT MAY HAVE ANY EFFECT ON ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSE 772,667. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: STORE PURCHASING 59,387. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSE 772,667. PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: STORE PURCHASING 59,387. 1 SOUTH AMERICA 3 55 PROGRAM SERVICES MARINE SCIENCE, POLICY, AND COMMUNICATIONS 5773578 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 5 54 PROGRAM SERVICES MARINE SCIENCE, POLICY, AND COMMUNICATIONS 5708786 NORTH AMERICA - CANADA AND MEXICO, BUT NOT THE UNITED STATES 1 15 PROGRAM SERVICES MARINE SCIENCE, POLICY, AND COMMUNICATIONS 1825604 SOUTH ASIA 1 21 PROGRAM SERVICES MARINE SCIENCE, POLICY, AND COMMUNICATIONS 1881456 CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 1 13 PROGRAM SERVICES MARINE SCIENCE, POLICY, AND COMMUNICATIONS 739967 NORTH AMERICA - CANADA AND MEXICO, BUT NOT THE UNITED STATES 0 0 GRANTMAKING 610082 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 0 0 GRANTMAKING 57323 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 0 GRANTMAKING 320000 CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN - ANTIGUA & BARBUDA, ARUBA, BAHAMAS, FUNDRAISING NORTH AMERICA - CANADA AND MEXICO, BUT NOT THE UNITED STATES FUNDRAISING SOUTH AMERICA - ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, CHILE, COLUMBIA, ECUADOR, FUNDRAISING EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) - ALBANIA, ANDORRA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM FUNDRAISING 11 158 0 0 11 158 16916796 0 16916796 NORTH AMERICA SUPPORT OCEANA CANADA'S ACTIVITIES TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE THE BOUNTY OF THE OCEAN AND PROTECT OCEAN RESOURCES IMPORTANT FOR THE ECONOMY AND COMMUNITIES 610082 WIRE TRANSFER 0 CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN SUPPORT SFS JAPAN'S EFFORTS TO BUILD PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD AND COMPEL LEADERS TO ACT ON FISHERIES SUSTAINABILITY 320000 WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND AND GREENLAND) COLLABORATE TO ENCOURAGE THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO PUBLISH A REGISTER OF EU-OWNED VESSELS REGISTERED UNDER NON-EU FLAGS. 7323 WIRE TRANSFER 0 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS AND MEMBERS OF THE SAILING AND BOATING COMMUNITY TOWARD RESTORING OCEAN HEALTH 50000 WIRE TRANSFER 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 2: OCEANA MAKES GRANTS TO FOREIGN ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS. HOWEVER, ON OCCASION OCEANA WILL MAKE A GRANT IN FURTHERANCE OF ITS MISSION. IN DOING SO, OCEANA MONITORS THE USE OF THE GRANT IN A MANNER APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE NATURE OF THE GRANTEE AND THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. PART I, LINE 3: OCEANA REPORTED THE EXPENDITURES BASED ON THE ACCOUNTING METHOD USED IN ITS AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WHICH IS ON AN ACCRUAL BASIS. X X X X X X 1 M&R STRATEGIC SERVICES INC 1101 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW 7TH FL WASHINGTON DC 20036 ASSISTS WITH ONLINE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS THROUGH STRATEGY A 0 216729 152616 64113 CHARITY BUZZ 437 FIFTH AVENUE 11TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10016 CONDUCTED LIVE AND SILENT AUCTIONS FOR THE NY GALA FUNDRAISI 1 68830 19640 49190 285559 172256 113303 AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NH NJ NM NY NC OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY SEACHANGE 1435069 1154000 281069 70000 252988 177900 9261 NEW YORK CITY BENEFIT 2756157 2633363 122794 103401 16364 5753 1 545465 415177 130288 40900 88100 8000 4736691 4202540 534151 70000 397289 282364 23014 772667 -238516 PART I, LINE 2B, COLUMN III CHARITY BUZZ COLLECTED AND PROCESSED THE WINNING AUCTION BID PAYMENTS FOR OCEANA'S FUNDRAISING EVENT, SEACHANGE. PART I, LINE 2B, COLUMN (V) DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, M&R STRATEGIC SERVICES, INC. WAS COMPENSATED A TOTAL OF $186,061. OF THIS AMOUNT, $152,616 WAS RELATED TO PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISING CONSULTING. M&R STRATEGIC SERVICES, INC. ALSO PROVIDED DIGITAL ADVERTISING AND AD BUYING. 1 CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES INC 1616 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 521501082 501(C)(3) 90625 0 SUPPORT THE "JOINT CAMPAIGN ON ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING, TRANSPARENCY AND HUMAN RIGHTS" PROJECT. THE CAMPANILE FOUNDATION 5500 CAMPANILE DRIVE SAN DIEGO CA 92182 330868418 501(C)(3) 80000 0 PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE CENTER FOR BRAZILIAN STUDIES AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY TIDES CENTER (ICAR) 1014 TORNEY AVENUE SAN FRANCISCO CA 94129 943213100 501(C)(3) 56250 0 SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY ROUNDTABLE. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY 4400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW WASHINGTON DC 20016 530196549 501(C)(3) 52543 0 THIS PROJECT USES THE AQUATIC RESOURCE TRADE IN SPECIES (ARTIS) DATABASE AND FOCUSES ON IMPROVING AND ANALYZING PATTERNS RELATED TO DISTANT WATER FISHING (DWF) AND FISHMEAL AND FISH OIL (FMFO). SURF INDUSTRY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ENVIRONMENTAL FUND 7171 WARNER AVE SUITE B13 HUNTINGTON BEACH CA 92647 311479679 501(C)(3) 40000 0 2023 OCEANA ANNUAL DONATION TO ASSIST ORGANIZATION WHOSE EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON ENHANCING THE OCEANIC ENVIRONMENT. NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION INC 8455 COLESVILLE RD SUITE 1275 SILVER SPRING MD 20910 943370994 501(C)(3) 12500 0 CO-SPONSORSHIP OF NEW MEMBER OF CONGRESS RECEPTION. SHOREFAST US FUND PO BOX 802 CONWAY WA 98238 841733717 501(C)(3) 7540 0 GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE SHOREFAST US FUND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECTS THAT WILL HELP TO BUILD ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RESILIENCE ON FOGO ISLAND. GREEN CORPS 1543 WAZEE ST SUITE 300 DENVER CO 80202 232687791 501(C)(3) 6000 0 PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR A NEW GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZERS. 8 PART I, LINE 2: ON OCCASION OCEANA WILL MAKE A GRANT IN FURTHERANCE OF ITS MISSION. IN DOING SO, OCEANA MONITORS THE USE OF THE GRANT IN A MANNER APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE NATURE OF THE GRANTEE AND THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 ANDREW F SHARPLESS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 548376 0 0 0 0 0 39600 0 23273 0 611249 0 0 0 JAMES F SIMON PRESIDENT & GENERAL COUNSEL 432751 0 0 0 0 0 39600 0 28784 0 501135 0 0 0 JACQUELINE SAVITZ CHIEF POLICY OFFICER, NORTH AMERICA 312917 0 8000 0 0 0 39600 0 23398 0 383915 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER M SHARKEY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 304534 0 0 0 0 0 37514 0 20390 0 362438 0 0 0 KATHY WHELPLEY CHIEF OF STAFF 278425 0 0 0 0 0 34231 0 28909 0 341565 0 0 0 NANCY GOLDEN VP, GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT 284759 0 0 0 0 0 34258 0 13836 0 332853 0 0 0 MATTHEW LITTLEJOHN SR. VP, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES 259625 0 0 0 0 0 32431 0 28909 0 320965 0 0 0 SONYA BETHEA SR. DIR., GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES 231552 0 0 0 0 0 28043 0 13836 0 273431 0 0 0 BETH LOWELL-NIEMEC VICE PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES 207026 0 0 0 0 0 26644 0 28909 0 262579 0 0 0 ERIC BILSKY SR ATTORNEY ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL 216778 0 0 0 0 0 25959 0 3443 0 246180 0 0 0 PASCALE MOEHRLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EUROPE 234006 0 1475 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 235481 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 7 JACQUELINE SAVITZ, CHIEF POLICY OFFICER IN NORTH AMERICA, AND PASCALE MOEHRLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN EUROPE, RECEIVED BONUSES IN 2023. THESE BONUSES ARE DISCLOSED IN SCHEDULE J, PART II, COLUMN B(II). SARAH BEDOLFE SARAH IS THE DAUGHTER OF BOARD DIRECTOR, HERBERT M. BEDOLFE, III 80377 SARAH L. BEDOLFE IS AN EMPLOYEE OF OCEANA AND HER TOTAL COMPENSATION PAID FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 WAS $80,377. 0 X 51826 X 2075 402887 FAIR MARKET VALUE 0 1 1 PART I, LINE 32B: CHARITY BUZZ SOLICITED, COLLECTED, AND PROCESSED NON-CASH DONATIONS RELATED TO OCEANA'S FUNDRAISING EVENTS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION'S MISSION: OCEANA'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND RESTORE THE WORLD'S OCEANS. AS THE WORLD'S LARGEST INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOCUSED SOLELY ON OCEAN CONSERVATION, OCEANA DEVELOPS TARGETED, SCIENCE-BASED, THREE-TO-FIVE-YEAR CAMPAIGNS TO ACHIEVE PRACTICAL AND MEASURABLE OUTCOMES FOR THE OCEANS. WITH OFFICES IN 9 COUNTRIES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, OCEANA BENEFITS FROM LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE THAT IS GUIDED BY CENTRAL LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT IN OUR HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, DC. OCEANA EMPLOYS MORE THAN 285 INDIVIDUALS GLOBALLY. TODAY, OCEANA HAS GROWN FROM AN AMBITIOUS START-UP TO AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH A RECORD OF RESULTS ON FOUR CONTINENTS. TOGETHER WITH OUR ALLIES, WE HAVE WON MORE THAN 300 SIGNIFICANT POLICY VICTORIES AND PROTECTED MORE THAN 4 MILLION SQUARE MILES OF OCEAN HABITAT. OCEANA SUPPORTS SCIENCE-DRIVEN OCEAN MANAGEMENT IN THE MOST PRODUCTIVE PARTS OF THE WORLD'S OCEANS, WITH TEAMS WORKING IN COUNTRIES WHICH CONTROL MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THE WORLD'S WILD OCEAN FISHERIES (BY CATCH): THE UNITED STATES, THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES, THE UNITED KINGDOM, BELIZE, BRAZIL, CANADA, CHILE, MEXICO, PERU AND THE PHILIPPINES. OCEANA'S CAMPAIGNS CARRY OUT SIX KEY STRATEGIES: - STOP OVERFISHING THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED FISHERY MANAGEMENT AND BY DETERRING ILLEGAL FISHING; - REDUCE BYCATCH BY IMPROVING MONITORING AND REPORTING, SETTING BYCATCH LIMITS FOR FISHERIES, AND ENCOURAGING FISHERS TO USE MORE SELECTIVE, SAFER GEAR; - PROTECT HABITATS AND THE ECOSYSTEMS THAT DEPEND ON THEIR HEALTH; - EXPAND TRANSPARENCY OF FISHING ACTIVITY AND GOVERNMENT DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES; - CURB POLLUTION BY STOPPING THE EXPANSION OF OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING AND REDUCING THE PRODUCTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS; AND - PROTECT SPECIES THREATENED BY EXTINCTION FROM DESTRUCTIVE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES. OCEANA'S CAMPAIGNS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE STRATEGIES FOR RESTORING OCEANS. WITH SOUND POLICIES IN PLACE, OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS RECOVER, OFTEN RAPIDLY, AND ABUNDANT FISHERIES RETURN, EVEN EXCEEDING FORMER LEVELS. A FULLY PRODUCTIVE OCEAN CAN PROVIDE A MEAL A DAY FOR A BILLION PEOPLE, FOREVER. TOGETHER WITH OUR ALLIES, WE ARE SAVING THE OCEANS TO FEED THE WORLD. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A CHILE HABITAT PROTECTION THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN CHILE APPROVED THE CREATION OF THE HUMBOLDT ARCHIPELAGO MULTI-USE MARINE COASTAL PROTECTED AREA (AMCP-MU IN SPANISH), MARKING ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS. THE NEW PROTECTED AREA, WHICH MEASURES MORE THAN 5,700 SQUARE KILOMETERS (2,200 SQUARE MILES), WILL SAFEGUARD ONE OF THE MOST BIODIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS IN CHILE, WHILE ALSO PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THIS NATIONAL DESIGNATION WILL RAISE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STANDARDS FOR POTENTIAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE HUMBOLDT ARCHIPELAGO AREA, INCLUDING FOR THE DOMINGA PORT MINING PROJECT, WHICH OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES CAMPAIGNED AGAINST AND FOUGHT IN COURT FOR YEARS. DOMINGA AND OTHER SIMILAR PROJECTS WOULD ENCROACH ON THIS IMPORTANT FEEDING AREA FOR MANY MARINE SPECIES INCLUDING BLUE WHALES AND THE VULNERABLE HUMBOLDT PENGUIN POPULATION. INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS ALSO THREATEN THE 'UPWELLING' PHENOMENON THAT OCCURS IN THE HUMBOLDT ARCHIPELAGO, WHICH FERTILIZES THE WATER AND ALLOWS PHYTOPLANKTON, THE BASE OF THE FOOD WEB, TO FLOURISH. THE NEW PROTECTED AREA ALSO PRESERVES ARTISANAL FISHING AND ECO-TOURISM, BOTH OF WHICH ARE SUSTAINABLE AND CRITICAL TO SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY. IN JANUARY 2023, CHILE'S GOVERNMENT DESIGNATED PROTECTIONS FOR AN ANCHOVETA REPRODUCTIVE AREA OF 800 SQ KM IN PISAGUA TO PROTECT CRITICAL ANCHOVETA SPAWNING HABITAT. SEVERAL SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITIONS CARRIED OUT BY OCEANA AND ARTURO PRAT UNIVERSITY CONFIRMED THAT PISAGUA SEA IS AN AREA OF HIGH ECOSYSTEM VALUE WITH 15 SPECIES OF MARINE MAMMALS AND 49 SPECIES OF SEABIRDS. IN TOTAL 143 SPECIES WERE FOUND. WITH THESE PROTECTIONS, THE AREA'S ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE WILL BE PRESERVED. THIS IS THE FIRST PROTECTED AREA IN CHILE WHERE PROTECTIONS FOR ARTISANAL FISHERIES ARE EXPLICITLY INCLUDED IN THE STATED CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE JUAN FERNNDEZ COMMUNITY AND THE CHILEAN GOVERNMENT, OCEANA HELPED TO ESTABLISH THE JUAN FERNNDEZ MPAS SEA COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY/GOVERNMENT JOINT MANAGEMENT OF THE MPA. THE COMMUNITY VOTED IN A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS TO ELECT SEVEN REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS (FISHERS, WOMEN, THE ELDERLY, TOURISM, AND ONE OPEN SEAT) TO THE COUNCIL. OCEANA SUPPORTED A LOCAL TEAM IN AN ISLAND-WIDE PROCESS TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY IN ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ITS MPA. END OVERFISHING AND REBUILD STOCKS CHILE'S CONGRESS PASSED THE BENTHIC LAW WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE REGULATION AND EXTRACTION OF KELP AND HELP PROTECT THE UNDERWATER FORESTS WHERE KELP IS FOUND. THE BENTHIC LAW, FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING, INTRODUCES SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF KELP, KEY ECOSYSTEMS FOR MARINE LIFE THAT CURRENTLY SUFFER FROM ILLEGAL EXTRACTION, AND THE LACK OF OFFICIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR CONSERVATION STATUS. THIS LAW IS A MAJOR VICTORY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF ARTISANAL KELP FISHERS THAT RELY ON EXTRACTION FOR THEIR LIVELIHOODS, BY DEFINING THE TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS PERMITTED IN KELP EXTRACTION, STRENGTHENING KELP MANAGEMENT INCLUDING RECOVERY REQUIREMENTS, AND ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR PROTECTED SPECIES AND AREAS. WE CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH ARTISANAL FISHERS AND THEIR LEADERS ON OUR CAMPAIGN TO GET MEASURES IN PLACE, SUCH AS SEASONAL CLOSURES AND ELECTRONIC TRACEABILITY, TO ALLOW SOUTHERN HAKE TO RECOVER. OUR PILOT PROJECT HAS DOCUMENTED THE SUPPLY CHAIN, AND WE ARE DEVELOPING MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ARTISANAL FISHERS THAT WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE FISHERY TO RECOVER. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE FISHERS HAVE ASKED FOR A SECOND STAGE OF OUR TRACEABILITY AND MARKETING PILOT PROGRAM, AND WE ARE HELPING THE GOVERNMENT REVIEW ITS FEASIBILITY. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A EUROPE DEFENDING SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN EUROPE THE EUROPEAN UNION SET MORE SUSTAINABLE CATCH LIMITS FOR THE FISHERIES IT MANAGES EXCLUSIVELY IN THE NORTHEAST ATLANTIC OCEAN AND THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA FOR 2024. FOR ATLANTIC FISHERIES, 87% OF THE CATCH LIMITS WERE SET IN LINE WITH SCIENTIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS, NEARLY ALL THE CURRENT CATCH BY WEIGHT. ALSO THIS YEAR, IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN, FISHING EFFORT BY DESTRUCTIVE TRAWLERS WAS REDUCED BY 9.5% AND CATCH LIMITS WERE LOWERED FOR VARIOUS DEEP-SEA SHRIMPS. OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES CAMPAIGNED FOR THESE CHANGES ACROSS THE EU AND HELPED DRIVE PUBLIC SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT. OCEANA WILL CONTINUE TO CAMPAIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN EU WATERS. THE GENERAL FISHERIES COMMISSION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN (GFCM) CREATED A SANCTION SYSTEM THAT WILL ALLOW IT TO PENALIZE STATES THAT FAIL TO TACKLE OVERFISHING OR ILLEGAL FISHING BY THEIR FLEETS. THIS ACTION, WHICH IS THE RESULT OF CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND ITS ALLIES, IS ESSENTIAL TO RESTORING FISH POPULATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, ONE OF THE MOST OVERFISHED SEAS ON EARTH. STARTING IN 2025, THE GFCM WILL BE ABLE TO SANCTION COUNTRIES THAT FAIL TO TAKE ACTION WHEN THEIR TRAWL FLEETS FISH IN NO-TRAWL AREAS, OR IF THEY FAIL TO FOLLOW RULES ON FISHING GEAR OR CATCH RESTRICTIONS. THESE PENALTIES CAN INCLUDE RESTRICTING FISHING AUTHORIZATIONS OR REDUCING THE ALLOWED FISHING DAYS AT SEA. PRIOR TO THE GFCM'S DECISION, OCEANA, CLIENTEARTH, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION PREPARED A LEGAL ANALYSIS, WHICH FOUND THAT THE GFCM COULD ESTABLISH SUCH A SYSTEM. OCEANA CONTINUES TO URGE MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR COMMITMENTS AND RESTORE FISH POPULATIONS AND ECOSYSTEMS. ELIMINATING ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING THROUGH TRANSPARENCY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, AND THE COUNCIL ENACTED A NEW LAW THAT REQUIRES ALL EUROPEAN UNION (EU) FISHING VESSELS, INCLUDING 49,000 SMALL-SCALE VESSELS, TO INSTALL AND USE TRACKING SYSTEMS BY 2030 AT THE LATEST. TRACKING SYSTEMS HAVE NUMEROUS BENEFITS FOR THE OCEAN, INCLUDING PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES BY INCREASING TRANSPARENCY ABOUT FISHING ACTIVITIES. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THEY EMPOWER FISHERS BY INVOLVING THEM IN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT, AND THEY ENABLE RAPID EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN THE CASE OF SAFETY ISSUES AT SEA. THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES MORE TRANSPARENCY FROM EU COUNTRIES, WHICH MUST NOW DISCLOSE NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF INFRINGEMENTS DETECTED AND SANCTIONS IMPOSED. THEY MUST ALSO SET UP A DIGITAL TRACEABILITY SYSTEM TO PROVIDE KEY INFORMATION (SPECIES AND ORIGIN) TO AUTHORITIES FOR ALL SEAFOOD PRODUCTS ON THE EU MARKET. THIS LAW, WHICH FOLLOWS CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES, WILL ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY, OPTIMIZE FISHING EFFICIENCY, AND HELP COMBAT ILLEGAL FISHING. THE GOVERNMENT OF SPAIN SANCTIONED 25 SPANISH-FLAGGED FISHING VESSELS FOR REPEATEDLY DISABLING THEIR AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AIS) DEVICES. THE SANCTIONS, WITH FINES OF UP TO 60,000 EUROS (US$65,000), ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF OCEANA'S ANALYSIS AND CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE SPANISH ADMINISTRATION. OCEANA FOUND THE SANCTIONED VESSELS APPEARED TO BE FISHING NEAR ARGENTINIAN WATERS BETWEEN 2018 AND 2021 WITH THEIR AIS TRACKERS TURNED OFF. THESE VESSELS SPENT NEARLY TWICE AS MUCH TIME WITH AIS DEVICES OFF AS THEY DID VISIBLY FISHING. VESSELS ARE KNOWN TO TURN OFF THEIR AIS TRACKERS TO AVOID BEING SEEN, POSSIBLY TO ENGAGE IN FISHING THAT IS NOT AUTHORIZED. BROADCASTING AIS VESSEL LOCATION DATA IS REQUIRED BY SPAIN AND THE EUROPEAN UNION TO GUARANTEE SAFETY AT SEA. FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND ITS ALLIES, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION RELEASED A PUBLIC DATABASE THAT ALLOWS ANYONE TO SEARCH FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EU-FLAGGED VESSELS AUTHORIZED TO FISH OUTSIDE OF EUROPEAN UNION (EU) WATERS. AS A MEASURE TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, THE DATABASE PUBLISHES INFORMATION ON EACH VESSEL, INCLUDING: WHAT WATERS IT IS AUTHORIZED TO FISH OUTSIDE OF THE EU AND FOR HOW LONG; THE FISHING GEAR IT IS ALLOWED TO USE; AND ITS TARGET SPECIES. PRIOR TO THIS VICTORY, PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF EU-FLAGGED VESSELS FISHING OUTSIDE OF EU WATERS WAS LIMITED OR NON-EXISTENT, ALLOWING THESE VESSELS TO OPERATE WITH LITTLE SCRUTINY. OCEANA'S CAMPAIGNING WAS CRITICAL IN MAKING THIS DATABASE A REALITY, WHICH WILL HELP SHINE A LIGHT ON FISHING VESSEL ACTIVITY AND DETER ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING. BUILDING EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MPA NETWORK IN EUROPE THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT DESIGNATED SEVEN NEW MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS) IN THREE SPANISH MARINE REGIONS. THESE AREAS, RICH IN BIODIVERSITY AND VULNERABLE ECOSYSTEMS, WILL BE PART OF THE NATURA 2000 NETWORK, WHICH INCLUDES THE NATURAL AREAS OF GREATEST ECOLOGICAL VALUE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. WITH THIS DESIGNATION, THE TOTAL MARINE AREA PROTECTED IN SPAIN, INCLUDING NATURA 2000 AREAS AND OTHER AREAS, WILL INCREASE FROM 12% TO 21% OF SPAIN'S WATERS, BRINGING THE COUNTRY CLOSER TO ITS GOAL OF PROTECTING 30% OF ITS WATERS BY 2030. THE NEW MPAS WILL HELP PROTECT KEY ECOSYSTEMS AND FISHERIES RESOURCES AND PROVIDE CLIMATE REFUGES FOR SPECIES. OCEANA CAMPAIGNED FOR THESE NEW DESIGNATIONS AND CONTRIBUTED THE SCIENTIFIC DATA ON BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS COLLECTED DURING MULTIPLE EXPEDITIONS. OCEANA WILL CONTINUE TO CAMPAIGN TO STOP DESTRUCTIVE FISHING PRACTICES INSIDE THESE AREAS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A MEXICO HABITAT PROTECTION ON OCTOBER 23, 2023, THE NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS COMMISSION (CONANP) ANNOUNCED ITS INTENT TO CREATE A NEW MARINE PROTECTED AREA OF 1.3 MILLION HECTARES IN BAJOS DEL NORTE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OCEANA WORKED CLOSELY WITH CONANP IN CREATING THE JUSTIFICATION PROJECT, A THOROUGH DOCUMENT WHERE CONANP STATES THE SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIAL IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THAT HABITAT. ANOTHER CRITICAL ELEMENT WAS THE SUPPORT FROM FISHERS, AS OCEANA SECURED SUPPORT FROM THE LEADERS OF THREE OUT OF THE FOUR MAJOR FISHING GROUPS IN THE REGION. THE NEW PROTECTED AREA WILL CONNECT WITH ALACRANES REEF NATIONAL PARK AND WILL FORM A CONSERVATION CORRIDOR THAT WILL SERVE AS A REFUGE FOR PROTECTED SPECIES SUCH AS SHARKS AND TURTLES AND FAVOR THE MIGRATION OF HUNDREDS OF MARINE ANIMALS FROM THIS AREA. NATIONAL PARK STATUS IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF PROTECTION IN MEXICO FOR NATURAL AREAS. IN JUNE 2023, FISHERS IN THE NORTHERN COASTAL YUCATN COMMUNITY OF EL CUYO FORMALLY ASKED THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TO CREATE A FISHERIES REFUGIUM IN EL CUYO. THIS REFUGIUM WOULD BE A NO-TAKE AREA AND HAS BEEN PROMOTED BY FISHERS, BASED ON SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT FROM OCEANA, THROUGH A PROCESS THAT OCEANA HAS COORDINATED FROM THE OUTSET. SEAFOOD TRACEABILITY MEXICO JOINED THE PORT STATE MEASURES AGREEMENT (PSMA), A BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT TO PREVENT, DETER, AND ELIMINATE ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING. THE PSMA PREVENTS VESSELS ENGAGED IN IUU FISHING FROM USING FOREIGN PORTS AND LANDING THEIR CATCHES IN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE SIGNED ON TO THE AGREEMENT, WHICH DISINCENTIVIZES THESE VESSELS' OPERATIONS AND STOPS THEIR PRODUCTS FROM REACHING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. OCEANA PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MEXICO'S ADOPTION OF THE PSMA, CAMPAIGNING TO PERSUADE SENATORS, THE NAVY, AND THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY TO SUPPORT THE MEASURE. ACCORDING TO MEXICO'S FISHERIES AGENCY, ILLEGAL FISHING ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN 40% OF THE COUNTRY'S FISH CATCH. JOINING THE PSMA WILL HELP TO CURB ILLICIT ACTIVITIES. FOLLOWING MEXICO'S ADOPTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, OCEANA CONTINUES TO CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW NATIONAL LAW THAT WILL INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND TRACEABILITY IN THE COUNTRY'S FISHING SECTOR. REBUILD MEXICO'S FISHERIES THE SENATE AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, FISHERIES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HAS NOT DISCUSSED THE BILL TO REBUILD FISHERIES WITH OCEANAS RECOMMENDATIONS, INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER OF 2022. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, IN 2018, THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH HAS CONSIDERED 60 FISHERIES-RELATED BILLS AND APPROVED ONLY FOUR. REDUCING PLASTIC POLLUTION AT THE BEGINNING OF 2023, OCEANA PREPARED A BILL TO TAX SINGLE-USE PLASTICS FROM E-COMMERCE. HOWEVER, IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY IN MEXICO CITY, THEY SUGGESTED THAT A BAN WOULD LIKELY BE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN A TAX. WHILE THIS CAUSED A DELAY, A BAN WOULD BE A STRONG ACCOMPLISHMENT, POSSIBLY MORE IMPACTFUL THAN A TAX. IN MID-OCTOBER 2023, WE PROVIDED A SECOND BILL FOR OUR CHAMPIONS TO INTRODUCE IN CONGRESS. PERU REFORM PERU'S FISHERIES ACT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ARTISANAL FISHERS AND BY WORKING WITH ALLIES IN CONGRESS, OCEANA ACHIEVED AMENDMENTS TO PERU'S FISHERIES LAW WHICH: - ORDER THE MINISTRY OF PRODUCTION TO RECOVER OVEREXPLOITED FISHERIES; - REQUIRE THAT FISHING QUOTAS MUST OBSERVE SCIENTIFICALLY DEFINED REFERENCE POINTS TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY; AND - PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN ALL STAGES OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN THE FISHING SECTOR, FROM THE DESIGN OF FISHING CONTROLS TO EVALUATION OF THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. THIS IS A MAJOR ADVANCE FOR PERU'S 50,000 ARTISANAL FISHERS AND THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES THAT DEPEND ON ABUNDANT FISHERIES. WE WILL SUPPORT ARTISANAL FISHING LEADERS IN ENSURING THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE NEW AMENDMENTS. PROTECT THE 5-MILE ZONE FOR ARTISANAL FISHERS PERU'S CONGRESS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A NEW LAW TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS FOR THE FIRST FIVE MILES OFF THE COUNTRY'S COAST AND SUPPORT PERU'S ARTISANAL FISHERS. THIS COASTAL AREA IS ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE IN THE WORLD, PLAYING A FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IN THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE AREA'S MARINE SPECIES. THE LAW WILL REINFORCE THE BAN ON LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRIAL FISHING WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE NAUTICAL MILES AND PROHIBIT ANY GEAR THAT IS HARMFUL TO THE HABITAT AND SEAFLOOR. SPECIFICALLY, BOATS USING MECHANIZED GEAR LIKE PURSE SEINES CAN NO LONGER BE CLASSIFIED AS "ARTISANAL AND ARE PROHIBITED FROM USING THIS DESTRUCTIVE GEAR WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MILES OFF THE COAST. ADDITIONALLY, THE LAW REQUIRES SCIENCE-BASED FISHING QUOTAS TO BE ESTABLISHED AND ORDERS NEW MEASURES TO RECOVER OVERFISHED SPECIES. THIS VICTORY, WHICH WAS WON THANKS TO STEADFAST CAMPAIGNING BY ARTISANAL FISHERS AND THEIR ALLIES, INCLUDING OCEANA, WILL HELP SUPPORT OCEAN ABUNDANCE, BIODIVERSITY, AND LIVELIHOODS IN PERU. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A PHILIPPINES STOP ILLEGAL COMMERCIAL FISHING IN MUNICIPAL WATERS PRESIDENT MARCOS OF THE PHILIPPINES ISSUED A MEMORANDUM DIRECTING THE FISHERIES BUREAU TO IMPLEMENT VESSEL MONITORING RULES AND INSTALL DEVICES TO TRACK LOCATION, SPEED, AND CATCH IN ALL COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS GREATER THAN 3.1 GT IN THE COUNTRY. THIS RULE, WHICH FOLLOWS SIGNIFICANT CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES, WILL HELP PREVENT AND DETER ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, AND UNREGULATED (IUU) FISHING, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR UP TO 40% OF THE FISH CAUGHT IN THE PHILIPPINES. ADDITIONALLY, REQUIRING TRACKING DEVICES WILL HELP DETER COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL ENCROACHMENT INTO MUNICIPAL WATERS THAT ARE RESERVED FOR ARTISANAL FISHERS. SUCH ENCROACHMENT HAS RESULTED IN OVERFISHING, HABITAT DESTRUCTION, AND FISH STOCK DEPLETION, WHICH THREATENS COASTAL COMMUNITIES AND ARTISANAL FISHERS, WHO RELY ON A HEALTHY OCEAN FOR FOOD SECURITY AND TO SUPPORT THEIR LIVELIHOODS. THE PHILIPPINES' BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE FISHERIES NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER, A FREE DATABASE THAT FEATURES INFORMATION ON PHILIPPINES-FLAGGED COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS WITH PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS UNDER THE COUNTRY'S AMENDED FISHERIES CODE. THE REGISTER ALSO INCLUDES INFORMATION ON FOREIGN-FLAGGED VESSELS INVOLVED IN POACHING IN PHILIPPINES WATERS, INCLUDING THE PENALTIES PREVIOUSLY IMPOSED. OCEANA'S CAMPAIGNING WAS KEY TO ENSURING THIS REGISTER WAS PUBLISHED AND MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. PUBLIC INFORMATION IS A KEY FACTOR IN DETERRING ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, AND UNREGULATED FISHING AND PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY AT SEA. PROTECT SARDINES/ESTABLISH FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREAS FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES, THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IT WILL REQUIRE ALL 12 OF THE COUNTRY'S FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREAS (FMAS) TO IMPLEMENT A NATIONAL PLAN TO REBUILD SARDINE FISHERIES BY MARCH 2024. SARDINES ARE A KEY RESOURCE IN THE PHILIPPINES, ACCOUNTING FOR 15% OF THE COUNTRY'S TOTAL FISH CATCH AND THE NATION'S MARINE FISHERIES. THEY ARE ALSO AN AFFORDABLE, NUTRIENT-RICH PROTEIN, MAKING THEM A POPULAR CHOICE IN MANY FILIPINO HOUSEHOLDS. THIS HIGH COMMERCIAL DEMAND, HOWEVER, HAS LED TO RAMPANT OVERFISHING AND POPULATION DECLINE. OCEANA ADVOCATED FOR THIS SCIENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT PLAN, WHICH WAS APPROVED IN 2020, TO HELP RESTORE THE HEALTH AND LONG-TERM ABUNDANCE OF THE SPECIES. THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCLUDES RULES FOR CATCHING SARDINES, CLOSED SEASONS, AND LIMITS ON JUVENILE CATCH. IT ALSO REQUIRES MEASURES TO EMPOWER ARTISANAL FISHERS, SUCH AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR FISHERS TO GENERATE ALTERNATIVE INCOME DURING CLOSED SEASONS. OCEANA WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ARTISANAL FISHERS, COASTAL COMMUNITIES, AND GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS TO ENSURE THE PLAN IS PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED ACROSS THE FMAS. RESTORE MANGROVE FORESTS OCEANA IS CAMPAIGNING TO PASS A NATIONAL LAW MANDATING THE RESTORATION AND PROTECTION OF MANGROVE AND BEACH FORESTS TO PREVENT COASTAL EROSION AND MITIGATE THE ADVERSE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. IN 2023, WE SUCCESSFULLY SECURED 14 LEGAL INSTRUMENTS ESTABLISHING LOCAL COASTAL GREENBELT ZONES IN THE COUNTRY'S MOST VULNERABLE PROVINCES. MEANWHILE, THE INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT BILL/NATIONAL COASTAL GREENBELT BILL IS PENDING IN THE SENATE AFTER IT WAS APPROVED AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THE BILL, OCEANA PRESENTED AT PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MET WITH THE CHAIR OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE, WHO DILIGENTLY PURSUED ITS APPROVAL IN THE HOUSE. WHEN THE BILL IS PASSED, IT WILL INSTITUTIONALIZE THE REHABILITATION OF MANGROVE FORESTS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF COASTAL GREENBELTS AND BEACH FOREST ALL OVER THE PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO. BAN SINGLE-USE PLASTICS OCEANA IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN A LAWSUIT WITH THE INTENT TO COMPEL THE NATIONAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION TO CARRY OUT THEIR LEGAL MANDATE TO ISSUE A LIST OF NON-ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING MATERIALS, THEREBY LEADING TO A NATIONWIDE BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS. IN 2023, THE COURT OF APPEALS GRANTED OCEANA'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGEMENT IN SAID LAWSUIT. OUR ALLEGATIONS AND EVIDENCE HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE PHILIPPINE COURT AND ARE CONSIDERED INDISPUTABLE FACTS. OCEANA WILL PROCEED TO SUBMIT ITS LEGAL MEMORANDUM ON THE REMAINING LEGAL ISSUES. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A UNITED KINGDOM REBUILD OCEAN ABUNDANCE FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES, THE SANDEEL FISHERY TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH LIMIT WAS SET BELOW SCIENTIFIC ADVICE FOR 2023 FOR EU VESSELS AND CLOSED FOR UK VESSELS. AS A FORAGE FISH, SANDEEL ABUNDANCE BENEFITS, IN THE GOVERNMENT'S WORDS, "THE WIDER MARINE ECOSYSTEM SUCH AS SEABIRDS AND MARINE MAMMALS THAT FEED ON THESE EEL-LIKE FISH." WE ARE CAMPAIGNING TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE THE UK SANDEEL FISHERY. PROTECT MARINE HABITAT AS 2023 ENDED, 22.5 PERCENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM'S EEZ HAD BEEN PROTECTED FROM BOTTOM-TOWED GEAR. WE ACHIEVED OUR 20-PERCENT GOAL BY GAINING NEW PROTECTIONS IN 2.9 PERCENT OF UK WATERS AND BY DEFENDING REGULATIONS THAT PREVIOUSLY PROTECTED 19.6 PERCENT OF UK HABITAT THROUGH DEEP-SEA BANS ON BOTTOM TRAWLING. THIS 22.5 PERCENT FIGURE INCLUDES DEEP-SEA BANS, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY SECURE AS PART OF THE UK'S DEEP-SEA REGULATIONS THAT WE HAVE DEFENDED. WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT THESE REGULATIONS ARE PROTECTED IN THE LONG TERM THROUGH OCEANA'S MEMBERSHIP IN THE WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE LINK, A COALITION OF MORE THAN 80 NATURE CHARITIES. OVER THE PAST YEAR, OCEANA FOCUSED ON THE ONGOING MARINE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION CONSULTATION PROCESS TO RESTRICT BOTTOM TRAWLING AND DREDGING IN OFFSHORE MPAS. THE UK HAS 64 OFFSHORE MPAS AND OCEANA HAS HELPED SECURE FULL OR PARTIAL PROTECTIONS IN FOUR AREAS, WITH 13 MORE SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED. BAN NEW OFFSHORE OIL & GAS DRILLING WE ACHIEVED OUR ANNUAL GOAL IN THIS CAMPAIGN IN 2023, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD NOT ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN UNTIL JANUARY 2024. THE LABOUR PARTY, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS AND GREEN PARTY ALL ESTABLISHED CLEAR PUBLIC POSITIONS AGAINST OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS DRILLING IN THE NORTH SEA. IN A FASTMOVING POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, OCEANA UK CAPITALIZED ON THE MOMENTUM BUILDING AROUND THIS ISSUE AND RAPIDLY BUILT AND LAUNCHED THE OCEAN ALLIANCE AGAINST OFFSHORE DRILLING, THROUGH WHICH OCEANA IS COORDINATING CAMPAIGN ACTIONS AND COMMUNICATION WITH MOST OF THE UK'S MOST ACTIVE MARINE NGOS. IN ADDITION TO ENVIRONMENTAL NGOS, THE ALLIANCE COMPRISES ACADEMICS, WATERSPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INFLUENCERS ALL UNITING TO OPPOSE NEW OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS ON MARINE GROUNDS. WE HAVE ALREADY LED OUR ALLIANCE PARTNERS IN MULTIPLE CAMPAIGN ACTIONS, INCLUDING SIGN-ON LETTERS, PROTESTS AND DETAILED CONSULTATION RESPONSES. WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY, THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, AND THE LABOUR PARTY TO ADVOCATE FOR COMMITMENTS AGAINST NEW OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS IN GENERAL-ELECTION MANIFESTOS, MAKING SURE THE DEVASTATING MARINE IMPACTS OF OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS WERE KNOWN BY ALL POLITICAL PARTIES. TRANSPARENT OCEANS INITIATIVE (TOI) THE TRANSPARENT OCEANS INITIATIVE (TOI) INFORMS AND ENGAGES DECISION MAKERS TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY, LEADING TO POLICIES THAT STOP DESTRUCTIVE AND ABUSIVE DISTANT-WATER FISHING BEHAVIOR OR MITIGATE THE HARM IT CAN CAUSE. WE SEE A FUTURE WHERE TRANSPARENT DISTANT-WATER FISHING (DWF) FLEETS PROVIDE CLEAR BENEFITS TO COASTAL STATE COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS DISTANT-WATER FISHING NATIONS AND ARE MANAGED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL EQUITABILITY, ECONOMIC STABILITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY. TOI ENGAGED THE IUU FISHING ACTION ALLIANCE (IUU-AA) TO PUSH FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY MEASURES ACROSS ITS MEMBERS. THE IUU AA IS A GROWING COLLECTION OF GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY SUPPORTERS WHO CAME TOGETHER IN 2022 AT THE UN OCEAN CONFERENCE IN LISBON COMMITTED TO TACKLING IUU FISHING BY SUPPORTING THE IUU FISHING ACTION ALLIANCE PLEDGE. IN JULY 2023 OCEANA'S TOI SENIOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS ADVISOR, ANNA GELDERD, BASED IN THE UK, ATTENDED THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE IUU-AA SUPPORTERS, CHAIRED BY THE UK-GOVERNMENT IN LONDON. WE SPECIFICALLY CALLED FOR SIGNATORY COUNTRIES TO COMMIT TO FULLY POPULATING AND/OR UPDATING THE FAO GLOBAL RECORD OF FISHING VESSELS BY THE END OF 2024/2025 AND ADDING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION BY 2027. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A COALITION FOR FISHERIES TRANSPARENCY (CFT) STAFFED BY OCEANA AND CO-CHAIRED BY OCEANA AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION (EJF), THE COALITION AIMS TO BUILD A STRONG, INCLUSIVE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOS) DEDICATED TO THE SHARED VISION OF TRANSPARENCY AT SEA. IT WILL ALSO AMPLIFY AND REPLICATE THE SUCCESSES OF OCEANA'S CURRENT POLICY CAMPAIGNS AGAINST IUU FISHING, OUR TRANSPARENT OCEANS INITIATIVE, AND THE ANTI-IUU FISHING EFFORTS OF OUR PEERS TO ULTIMATELY DELIVER MEANINGFUL GLOBAL IMPACT. THE STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM OCEANA, EJF, GLOBAL FISHING WATCH, WWF NETWORK, PRCM OF WEST AFRICA, AND SEAFOOD LEGACY OF JAPAN. THE COALITION MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS THIS YEAR TOWARD ONE OF ITS PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: THE DEVELOPMENT AND LAUNCH OF A GLOBAL TRANSPARENCY CHARTER TO PROVIDE A COMMON SET OF REFORM MEASURES SUPPORTED BY RELEVANT CIVIL SOCIETY ACTORS. WE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE GLOBAL CHARTER FOR FISHERIES TRANSPARENCY ON MARCH 2, 2023, IN PANAMA AT A SIDE EVENT DURING THE OUR OCEANS CONFERENCE. WE HAD AROUND 60 REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT, CSOS (INCLUDING OCEANA), AND MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE. THE COALITION HAS 37 MEMBERS SPANNING THE GLOBE, WITH ORGANIZATIONS IN AFRICA, ASIA, EUROPE, LATIN AMERICA, AND NORTH AMERICA. IN APRIL 2023 THE COALITION HOSTED A WEBINAR, A DEEP DIVE INTO THE GLOBAL CHARTER FOR FISHERIES TRANSPARENCY, TO ALLOW THE SECRETARIAT TO HEAR FROM MEMBERS ABOUT THE COALITION'S UPCOMING INITIATIVES AND HOW TO BEST MEET MEMBERS' NEEDS. THE WEBINAR ALSO PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE CHARTER'S LAUNCH AND ELABORATE ON THE CHARTER'S 10 POLICY PRINCIPLES, WHICH ARE TO: 1. REQUIRE UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS FOR ALL FISHING VESSELS (INCLUDING TRANSPORT AND SUPPLY VESSELS) 2. PUBLISH LISTS OF LICENSES, AUTHORIZATIONS, AND SANCTIONS 3. MAKE PUBLIC THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF VESSELS 4. STOP THE USE OF FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE BY FISHING VESSELS 5. MAKE VESSEL POSITION DATA PUBLIC 6. BAN OR CLOSELY MONITOR AT-SEA TRANSSHIPMENT 7. MANDATE SEAFOOD TRACEABILITY FROM BOAT TO PLATE 8. RATIFY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS THAT SET STANDARDS FOR FISHING VESSELS AND TRADE 9. ENSURE PUBLIC AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO FISHERIES DATA AND PARTICIPATION IN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING 10. COLLECT DATA ON THE CONDITIONS OF FISHING VESSEL CREWS AND PUBLISH IT IN AGGREGATE FORM CORPORATE PLASTICS CAMPAIGN PLASTIC-FREE AMAZON CAMPAIGN OCEANA IS ADVOCATING FOR AMAZON TO REDUCE THE COMPANY'S OVERALL PLASTIC USE BY ONE-THIRD BY 2030. IN 2023, THE COMPANY REPORTED AN 11.6% REDUCTION IN ITS USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC DELIVERY PACKAGING ACROSS ITS GLOBAL OPERATIONS IN JUST ONE YEAR AND HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS PHASING OUT ITS MOST COMMON PLASTIC PACKAGE PLASTIC PADDED MAILERS AND IS MOVING AWAY FROM PLASTIC TO PAPER PACKAGING FOR ALL OF ITS FULFILLMENT CENTERS IN THE UNITED STATES (WHICH ACCOUNT FOR THE BULK OF AMAZON'S SALES VOLUME). REFILL AGAIN CAMPAIGN OCEANA IS ADVOCATING FOR COCA COLA TO INCREASE ITS USE OF REFILLABLE BOTTLES AND REUSABLE PACKAGING. IN 2023, OCEANA DISCOVERED AND PUBLICLY REPORTED THAT THE PROPORTION OF BEVERAGES SOLD BY COCA-COLA AND ITS MAJOR BOTTLERS IN REUSABLE PACKAGING DECLINED THIS YEAR. THIS CONTRADICTS THEIR GLOBAL CEO'S PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO DRIVE, BY 2030, 25% OF ITS PRODUCT THROUGH REUSABLE CONTAINERS. OCEANA USED THE COMPANY AND ITS BOTTLERS' PUBLIC FILINGS TO REVEAL THIS REGRESSION TO THE PRESS AND THE INVESTMENT COMMUNITY. COCA-COLA STATED THAT ITS SHARE IN 2022 WAS JUST 14%, DOWN FROM THE 16% REPORTED FOR 2020 BUT CLAIMED THAT THIS DECLINE WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHANGES IN REPORTING METRICS. WE DISPROVED THIS EXPLANATION BY AN ANALYSIS OF THE COMPANY'S BOTTLER'S SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS AND DISCOVERED THAT MAJOR BOTTLERS ALSO REPORTED SALES DECLINES IN REUSABLE PACKAGING (WHICH THEY HAVE ATTRIBUTED TO AN INCREASE IN OUT-OF-HOME PURCHASING FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC). OCEANA ESTIMATES THAT THE REPORTED TWO PERCENTAGE-POINT DECLINE IN SHARE MEANS COCA-COLA PRODUCED THE EQUIVALENT OF AN ADDITIONAL 5.8 BILLION 500 ML (16.9 US FL. OZ) SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BOTTLES AND CUPS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. SAILORS FOR THE SEA POWERED BY OCEANA WE CONTINUE TO BUILD A BASE OF ENGAGED OCEAN CONSERVATIONISTS WITHIN THE GLOBAL SAILING AND BOATING COMMUNITY WHO PROVIDE ADVOCACY AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO OCEANA. IN 2023, THE SAILORS FOR THE SEA COMMUNITY OF GREEN BOATERS HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN 38,000 ACTIONS IN SUPPORT OF OCEANA'S CAMPAIGNS AND RAISED NEARLY $23,000 IN LOW-DOLLAR DONATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION. CLEAN REGATTAS CONTINUES TO BE THE WORLD'S LEADING SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION FOR WATER-BASED SPORTING EVENTS. OUR KIDS ENVIRONMENTAL LESSON PLANS (KELP) PROGRAM THAT EDUCATES AND INSPIRES THE NEXT GENERATION OF SAILORS TO BECOME OCEAN ADVOCATES IS ALSO STEADILY GROWING ITS REACH. GREEN BOATING WE REACHED 72,074 GREEN BOATERS IN 2023. WHEN WE FIRST LAUNCHED THE GREEN BOATING INITIATIVE IN 2019, WE ONLY HAD 2,144 SUPPORTERS AND WE HAVE GROWN THAT MEMBERSHIP BY AN AVERAGE OF 65% EACH YEAR. THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING, WE SUCCESSFULLY RECRUIT NEW GREEN BOATERS BY PROMOTING OCEANA'S CAMPAIGNS TO END OCEAN PLASTIC POLLUTION, PROTECT MARINE HABITAT, AND SAVE THE NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE FROM EXTINCTION. WE ALSO COLLABORATE WITH SAILING ORGANIZATIONS AND MEDIA OUTLETS, SUCH AS AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION AND SAILING SCUTTLEBUTT, TO SHARE ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES AND ACQUIRE NEW GREEN BOATERS. WHEN AN ADVOCATE BECOMES A GREEN BOATER, THEY RECEIVE A DIGITAL VERSION OF THE SAILORS FOR THE SEA GREEN BOATING GUIDE. THE GUIDE PROVIDES PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR HOW BOATERS CAN MAKE AN IMMEDIATE POSITIVE IMPACT FOR OUR OCEANS, INCLUDING PROPER BOATING PRACTICES TO PREVENT COLLISIONS WITH WHALES AND ANCHORING TECHNIQUES TO AVOID DAMAGING SENSITIVE MARINE HABITATS. CLEAN REGATTAS WE REGISTERED 368 EVENTS AS CLEAN REGATTAS IN 2023. THESE EVENTS WERE HOSTED BY 148 YACHT CLUBS, FEATURING 270,837 SAILORS AND ATTENDEES. CLEAN REGATTAS CONTINUES TO BE THE PREMIERE SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION OF CHOICE FOR WATER-BASED SPORTING EVENTS, WITH EVENTS INCREASING SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS YEAR AFTER YEAR. THUS FAR, 35 EVENTS HAVE REGISTERED FOR PLATINUM LEVEL STATUS, OUR HIGHEST LEVEL OF SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION. WE CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH PARTNERS TO EXPAND THE CLEAN REGATTAS PROGRAM. FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH WORLD SAILING, THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE SPORT OF SAILING AROUND THE WORLD, WHICH NOW MANDATES THAT ALL SANCTIONED EVENTS ACHIEVE PLATINUM LEVEL STATUS, INCLUDING THE HAGUE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, A QUALIFYING EVENT FOR THE PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B SALMON AQUACULTURE FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND OUR ALLIES, THE U.S. STATE OF MAINE PASSED A LAW THAT ESTABLISHES LIMITS ON STOCKING DENSITY FOR NEW MARINE SALMON FARMS, MAKING IT HARDER FOR DEVELOPERS TO BUILD MONSTER AQUACULTURE OPERATIONS IN THE STATE'S WATERS. THIS NEW LAW FOLLOWS A PROPOSAL BY NORWEGIAN-BASED COMPANY AMERICAN AQUAFARMS IN 2021 TO BUILD AN EXTREMELY LARGE SALMON FARM IN FRENCHMAN BAY, JUST HALF A MILE OFFSHORE OF ACADIA NATIONAL PARK. STOCKING DENSITY THE AMOUNT OF FISH BY WEIGHT PACKED INTO AN AREA IS A KEY METRIC OF SALMON AND OTHER MARINE FINFISH AQUACULTURE. HIGHER STOCKING DENSITIES ARE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH DIMINISHED FISH HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY. OCEAN-BASED FISH FARMS ARE INHERENTLY RISKY AS THEY OFTEN ALSO USE VAST AMOUNTS OF PESTICIDES AND CHEMICALS TO PREVENT DISEASE AND PARASITES, WHICH CAN IMPACT THE SURROUNDING MARINE ECOSYSTEMS. PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES FROM ENTANGLEMENT IN FISHING GEAR FOLLOWING CAMPAIGNING BY OCEANA AND ITS ALLIES, THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE AUTHORIZED THE COMMERCIAL USE OF AN INNOVATIVE FISHING GEAR THAT WILL PROTECT WHALES, DOLPHINS, SEA TURTLES, AND OTHER OCEAN ANIMALS FROM FISHING ENTANGLEMENTS OFF THE U.S. WEST COAST. CALLED DEEP-SET BUOY GEAR, THIS GEAR IS DESIGNED TO CATCH SWORDFISH IN A CLEAN AND PROFITABLE WAY. AUTHORIZATION OF THIS GEAR TYPE IS A CRITICAL STEP IN THE TRANSITION AWAY FROM MILE-LONG DRIFT GILLNETS, A HIGHLY UNSELECTIVE FISHING METHOD THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY ENTANGLED MANY OTHER OCEAN ANIMALS. THIS NEWLY APPROVED FISHING METHOD CONSISTS OF A FLOATING BUOY SUPPORTING A SINGLE VERTICAL LINE WITH UP TO THREE BAITED HOOKS THAT IS DEPLOYED DURING THE DAY WHEN SWORDFISH FEED AT DEEPER DEPTHS THAN MOST OTHER SPECIES. THE BUOYS INDICATE WHEN A FISH HAS BEEN CAUGHT, SO FISHERS CAN RETRIEVE THEIR CATCH WITHIN MINUTES OF IT BEING HOOKED. SWORDFISH CAUGHT WITH DEEP-SET BUOY GEAR EARN A MUCH HIGHER PRICE PER POUND THAN THOSE CAUGHT IN DRIFT GILLNETS BECAUSE THE FISH IS FRESHER AND NOT DAMAGED BY A NET. ADDITIONALLY, THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM SEAFOOD WATCH PROGRAM ADDED SWORDFISH CAUGHT WITH DEEP-SET BUOY GEAR AND HARPOONS TO ITS GREEN LIST AS A "BEST CHOICE." THE GREEN LIST INCLUDES SEAFOOD RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS BASED ON SEAFOOD THAT IS WELL MANAGED AND CAUGHT IN WAYS THAT CAUSE LITTLE HARM TO HABITATS OR OTHER WILDLIFE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 BOARD MEMBERS, SUSAN ROCKEFELLER AND DAVID ROCKEFELLER, JR., HAVE A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. BOARD MEMBERS HERBERT M. BEDOLFE, III AND SARA LOWELL BOTH SERVE AS EMPLOYEES AND OFFICERS OF THE MARISLA FOUNDATION. HERBERT SERVES AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SARA SERVES AS THE SECRETARY/MARINE PROGRAM DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B INFORMATION FOR THE FEDERAL FORM 990 COMES LARGELY FROM OCEANA'S INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WHICH CONSOLIDATES OCEANA'S ACTIVITIES ACROSS NATIONAL BOUNDARIES. THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT COLLECTS THIS AND OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED FOR THE FEDERAL FORM 990, WHICH IS REVIEWED AND PRESENTED IN DRAFT FORM BY A TAX ACCOUNTING FIRM. AFTER APPROVAL BY SENIOR MANAGEMENT, THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE 990 IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW BEFORE IT IS SUBMITTED TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C EVERY YEAR, OCEANA'S OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AND KEY EMPLOYEES FILL OUT A DISCLOSURE REPORT ASKING THEM TO DISCLOSE ANY FAMILY OR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS THEY MAY HAVE WITH OTHER OCEANA OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, OR KEY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS ANY FINANCIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST THEY MAY HAVE. IN ADDITION, OCEANA'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY REQUIRES ANY DIRECTOR OR OFFICER WHO IS AN INTERESTED PERSON WITH RESPECT TO A TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE CORPORATION TO PROMPTLY DISCLOSE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR THE BOARD'S DESIGNATE THE EXISTENCE AND NATURE OF HIS OR HER FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST REPORTING: ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST MUST BE DISCLOSED TO THE CEO; PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL; CFO; OR SENIOR DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER IN CHARGE OF THE COUNTRY OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT; OR THE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE COUNTRY OFFICE. THIS INCLUDES ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS INVOLVING BUSINESS OR FINANCIAL INTEREST, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, OR SEXUAL/ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS. THE CFO WILL DETERMINE WHETHER ANY STEPS MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID AN APPEARANCE OR EXISTENCE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR THE CREATION OF AN ENVIRONMENT THAT OTHERS IN THE WORKPLACE MIGHT REASONABLY FIND TO BE UNPROFESSIONAL OR INAPPROPRIATE. SUCH STEPS, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, MIGHT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, DIVESTITURE OF ADVERSE INTERESTS, RECUSAL FROM CERTAIN DECISIONS, TRANSFER OF ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT (IF A POSITION IS AVAILABLE), CHANGING THE MANAGER FOR ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES, OR, WHEN OTHER OPTIONS ARE NOT FEASIBLE, THE TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES. EMPLOYEES WHO WISH TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY ENTITY OUTSIDE OCEANA MUST DISCLOSE SUCH PROPOSED ACTIVITY TO OCEANA, WHICH WILL MAKE APPROPRIATE DETERMINATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS (NEPOTISM): OCEANA WILL NOT ALLOW A SUPERVISOR/SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIP TO EXIST BETWEEN FAMILY RELATIVES. SEXUAL/ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS: ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EMPLOYEES THAT CONSTITUTE AN ACTUAL OR REASONABLY-PERCEIVED CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARE PROHIBITED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 13 WHISTLEBLOWING AND REPORTING VIOLATIONS: OCEANA NEEDS AND EXPECTS THE SUPPORT AND COOPERATION OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO ENFORCE ITS POLICIES. EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED, OBSERVED, OR LEARNED ABOUT CONDUCT THEY BELIEVE IS CONTRARY TO OCEANA'S POLICES OR CODE OF ETHICS MUST REPORT SUCH VIOLATIONS (OR POTENTIAL OR SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS). OCEANA PROVIDES TWO WAYS TO REPORT VIOLATIONS. FIRST, VIOLATIONS MAY BE REPORTED THROUGH A REPORTING SYSTEM THAT OCEANA HAS SET UP THROUGH AN ONLINE WEBSITE OR BY CALLING THE PHONE NUMBER LISTED FOR EACH COUNTRY ON THAT WEBSITE. THE SITE IS CONFIDENTIAL, EASY TO USE, AND ALWAYS AVAILABLE. EMPLOYEES HAVE THE OPTION TO DISCLOSE THEIR IDENTITY OR MAKE A REPORT ANONYMOUSLY; HOWEVER, DISCLOSING IDENTITY IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ENABLE OCEANA TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF A POLICY THAT PROTECTS INDIVIDUALS (FOR EXAMPLE, CONCERNING SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR DISCRIMINATION). ANY REPORT THAT IMPLICATES THE CEO; PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL; OR CFO WILL BE FORWARDED BY THE THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE WEBSITE TO THE CHAIR, VICE CHAIR AND TREASURER OF OCEANA'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SECOND, VIOLATIONS MAY BE REPORTED TO THE APPROPRIATE STAFF PERSON, AS FOLLOWS. THE VIOLATION MUST BE REPORTED TO THE CEO; PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL; CFO; OR SENIOR DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, IF THE VIOLATION INVOLVES ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: -SEXUAL OR OTHER HARASSMENT -UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION -FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT OR MISREPORTING -BRIBERY OR CORRUPTION -RETALIATION FOR REPORTING ANY VIOLATION IF THE VIOLATION INVOLVES ANY OTHER ISSUE, THE REPORT MUST BE MADE TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: CEO; PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL; CFO; OR GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES; THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER IN CHARGE OF THE COUNTRY OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT; OR THE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE COUNTRY OFFICE. INVESTIGATION: WHEN AN EMPLOYEE REPORTS A VIOLATION OF THIS CODE, OCEANA WILL INVESTIGATE AND TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION AS WARRANTED UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN DURING THE INVESTIGATION ARE NOT FIXED IN ADVANCE (EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW), BUT INSTEAD WILL VARY DEPENDING UPON THE NATURE OF THE ALLEGATIONS. SUCH INVESTIGATION WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL TO THE EXTENT CONSISTENT WITH EFFECTIVELY UNDERSTANDING THE FACTS AND TAKING CORRECTIVE MEASURES. RESOLVING THE MATTER: IF OCEANA DETERMINES THAT A VIOLATION HAS OCCURRED, THE COMPANY WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. ANY EMPLOYEE DETERMINED BY OCEANA TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A VIOLATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, UP TO AND INCLUDING TERMINATION. IT IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT THAT EMPLOYEES COOPERATE WITH ALL OCEANA INVESTIGATIONS. IN ADDITION, OCEANA MAY CHOOSE TO TAKE ACTION EVEN IF IT CONCLUDES THAT THE ALLEGED CONDUCT NEITHER VIOLATES OCEANA'S GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS NOR THE LAW, BUT SUCH CONDUCT WAS IMPERMISSIBLY INTERFERING WITH THE WORK ENVIRONMENT. NO RETALIATION: IT IS A VIOLATION TO RETALIATE AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL WHO REPORTS INCIDENTS THAT HE OR SHE BELIEVES TO BE VIOLATIONS OF OCEANA'S GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS, OR WHO COOPERATES IN AN INVESTIGATION OF A VIOLATION. RETALIATION IS A SERIOUS VIOLATION AND SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY. THE REPORT AND INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGATIONS OF RETALIATION WILL FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH. ANY PERSON FOUND TO HAVE RETALIATED AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL FOR REPORTING DISCRIMINATORY HARASSMENT OR PARTICIPATING IN AN INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGATIONS OF SUCH CONDUCT WILL BE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 OCEANA'S PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION OF ITS CEO, OFFICERS, AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS AS FOLLOWS: ANNUALLY, OCEANA PROVIDES THE BOARD DIRECTORS WITH DATA FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES ON COMPARABLE SALARIES AND BENEFITS IN OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE IN THE CONSERVATION FIELD, FOR OCEANA'S CEO. THE BOARD REVIEWS AND DISCUSSES THE COMPENSATION DATA AS WELL AS THE CEO'S ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PRIOR YEAR AS WELL AS HIS PROPOSED GOALS FOR THE NEXT YEAR BEFORE TAKING A DECISION ON ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CEO COMPENSATION OF BENEFITS. OCEANA PROVIDES THE FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD DIRECTORS WITH DATA FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES ON COMPARABLE SALARIES AND BENEFITS IN OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE IN THE CONSERVATION FIELD, FOR OCEANA'S OFFICERS, TOP MANAGEMENT, AND KEY EMPLOYEES ("THE EXECUTIVE TEAM", OR "EC"). THE COMMITTEE DISCUSSES EACH OF THE EC MEMBER'S ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PRIOR YEAR AS WELL AS HER/HIS PROPOSED GOALS FOR THE NEXT YEAR. THE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THESE DATA TO DETERMINE IF THE COMPENSATION IS REASONABLE AND THAT OCEANA HAS NOT ENGAGED IN AN EXCESS BENEFIT TRANSACTION WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL IN A POSITION TO SUBSTANTIALLY INFLUENCE THE ORGANIZATION'S AFFAIRS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE RESPECTIVE BODIES. OCEANA REGULARLY CONDUCTS COMPENSATION REVIEWS, MOST RECENTLY IN NOVEMBER 2023. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 OCEANA POSTS ANNUAL REPORTS, ITS AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COPY OF ITS IRS FORM 990 ON ITS WEBSITE, WWW.OCEANA.ORG. IT ALSO SHARES RELEVANT INFORMATION WITH INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS GUIDESTAR, CHARITY NAVIGATOR AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO ALLOW THESE ORGANIZATIONS INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF OCEANA'S ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. OCEANA'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS ARE AVAILABLE ON OCEANA'S WEBSITE AND TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC UPON WRITTEN REQUEST. OCEANA'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, AS WELL AS A CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING, ARE ALSO INDEPENDENTLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (WHERE OCEANA, INC. IS INCORPORATED), THOUGH THERE IS A FEE FOR THIS SERVICE. FORM 990 THIS RETURN PRESENTS CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR OCEANA, INC. AND ITS NON-U.S. AFFILIATES. OCEANA HAS OFFICES IN SPAIN, BRAZIL, DENMARK, BELGIUM, MEXICO, PHILIPPINES, BELIZE, LONDON, CHILE AND PERU FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO SAVE THE OCEAN THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY, SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS, LEGAL ACTION, GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION. THE OPERATIONS IN SPAIN, BELIZE, BRAZIL, MEXICO, SWITZERLAND, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM ARE INCORPORATED AS INDEPENDENT ENTITIES IN THOSE COUNTRIES UNDER LOCAL LAW. HOWEVER, THESE ENTITIES ARE DEPENDENT ON OCEANA FOR FUNDING, PARTICIPATE IN OCEANA ACTIVITIES AND DECISION-MAKING, AND CARRY OUT THE GENERAL MISSION AND INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF OCEANA. OCEANA ACTION INC 1025 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW 200 WASHINGTON DC 20036 311814181 PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS TO SUSTAIN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. DC 501(C)(4) N/A OCEANA INC 1 FUNDACION OCEANA GRAN VIA 62 7 IZDA MADRID SP 28013 PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS TO SUSTAIN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. SP N/A N/A OCEANA INC 1 OCEANA UK 10 QUEEN ST PLACE LONDON UK EC4R 1BE PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS TO SUSTAIN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. UK N/A N/A OCEANA INC 1 OCEANA IN BELIZE PO BOX 731 BELMOPAN BH PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS TO SUSTAIN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. BH N/A N/A OCEANA INC 1 FRIENDS OF OCEANA RUE DITALIE 10 GENEVA SZ PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS TO SUSTAIN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. SZ N/A N/A OCEANA INC 1 OCEANA BRASIL SIG QUADRA 1 LOTE 985 SALA 251 CENTRO EMPRESARIAL PARQUE BRASILIA BR 70610-410 PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS TO SUSTAIN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE BR N/A N/A OCEANA INC 1 OCEANA MEXICO POSEIDON 39 COL CREDITO CONSTRUCT CIUDAD DE MEXICO MX CP03940 PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS TO SUSTAIN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. MX N/A N/A OCEANA INC 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 OCEANA MEXICO B 1771101 COST OCEANA BRASIL B 1983209 COST FUNDACION OCEANA B 2663475 COST OCEANA IN BELIZE B 637647 COST OCEANA UK B 1402057 COST FRIENDS OF OCEANA C 1044252 COST