At SEVENSEAS Media, our global network has long been a cornerstone of the ocean conservation community. We remain committed to delivering trusted journalism, scientific insights, and conservation resources to foster a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems. Through our impactful educational media and direct-action projects, we are dedicated to the shared goal of reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments. SEVENSEAS Media reaches tens of thousands of individuals worldwide every month, fostering a community committed to safeguarding our oceans for future generations. We are committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14: Life Below Water, and the global 30×30 initiative, which seeks to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Our mission is to ensure that ocean conservation news, professional development resources, and all career and educational opportunities are FREE and accessible to all, regardless of economic background. By connecting the global ocean conservation community, we empower individuals to take action and drive positive change. Our efforts align with SDG 4: Quality Education, ensuring that knowledge is freely available to all.
Publishing: A Global Platform for Ocean Conservation
Global Accessibility and Reach
SEVENSEAS Media is read across all Google-segmented countries and territories, making it a truly international platform. Since our inception, we have remained committed to providing free access to our content, ensuring that individuals from all economic backgrounds can benefit from our resources. Our work connects the entire ocean conservation world, elevating the voices of professionals and advocates globally.
Weekly Newsletter
With nearly 30,000 subscribers, our weekly newsletter boasts an impressive 49% open rate and a 38% click-through rate (Admittedly this is was one of our best recent weeks. Open rates vary). This newsletter serves as a global hub for announcements, events, webinars, and more. It provides a platform for individuals and organizations to promote their work, ensuring that even those without the means to access traditional media channels can share their efforts with a broad audience.
Ocean Conservation Jobs List
Our job list, which has been in circulation since 2004, is the largest and most active resource of its kind, helping professionals worldwide find opportunities to contribute to marine conservation efforts. By offering pathways for careers in sustainable development, we support the goals of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, driving economic opportunities within the conservation sector.
SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel Magazine
Our monthly magazine, SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel Magazine, blends cutting-edge marine conservation stories with occasional sustainable tourism insights. Originally a print publication, it has since transitioned to a fully digital format, providing a platform for grassroots contributors from all over the world. SEVENSEAS Media stands out by publishing not only stories but also scientific papers, research findings, poetry, art, and photography—by the community, for the community. This unique approach helps knit together a global network of conservationists, scientists, artists, and advocates. Unlike many organizational publications that primarily push out the organization’s message, SEVENSEAS Media fosters a two-way street, where individuals across our often siloed industry can learn from one another. We actively elevate diverse voices, including those from underrepresented groups, Indigenous populations, and students, ensuring they have a space to share their knowledge, experiences, and creativity with the world.
Expansion Opportunities
With the right funding, SEVENSEAS Media could replicate its successful model in other areas of environmental conservation. We envision creating similar publishing platforms focused on forests, air, freshwater, and other critical environmental issues. Establishing grassroots chapters or divisions in these areas would not only expand our reach but also foster cross-pollination between disciplines, recognizing how interconnected ecosystems are. For example, terrestrial topics like forestry, freshwater management, and sustainable agriculture have inevitable and significant impacts on ocean ecosystems. By creating a network of environmental platforms, SEVENSEAS Media would help bridge these disciplines, enabling collaboration across conservation efforts and strengthening the overall impact on our planet’s health.
On-the-Ground Conservation Efforts
Coral Reef Restoration
SEVENSEAS Media is actively involved in coral reef restoration at Had Nopparatthara National Park (Phi Phi National Park) in Thailand. We are collaborating with local partners on coral propagation, planting fragments in a coral garden currently comprising 350 plated fragments. The work is managed by our team members and carried out with the help of local and international volunteers. We adhere to best practices, ensuring that our efforts do not stress the coral during vulnerable periods, such as potential bleaching events- we have currently have paused coral propagation due to the current risk or coral bleaching however will resume once it is safe to do so.
Seagrass Bed and Mangrove Restoration
In addition to coral restoration, with local partners we are engaging in the restoration of seagrass beds and are beginning efforts in mangrove planting. These activities contribute to the overall health of marine ecosystems, providing vital habitat for marine life and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Seagrass has enormous importance for communities in the Andaman region, who rely on seagrass ecosystems to nurture the marine life on which coastal residents depend for livelihoods and food security (commercial and subsistence fishing). Seagrass also protects marine and coastal health by filtering sediments, nutrients, and pollutants and providing a buffer against extreme weather events. Andaman seagrass areas are global hotspots for biodiversity, harbouring multiple species of ecological and cultural value, including globally important populations of dugongs and sea turtles.
Beach Cleanups and Coral Reef 9-1-1
Our regular beach cleanups, held in the same region, involve local volunteers and tourists. Each event sees between 10-25 volunteers collecting 300-500kg of waste, which is then sorted and either recycled or disposed of properly. We also offer a Coral Reef 9-1-1 service, responding to urgent threats such as ghost nets or other debris that pose an immediate danger to the reefs.
Education and Community Engagement
Our on-the-ground efforts go hand-in-hand with education and community engagement. We conduct workshops and in-person learning sessions for local communities and tourists, covering topics like coastal and reef ecology, the threats they face, and what individuals can do to help. These educational initiatives are essential for fostering long-term conservation efforts in the areas we serve.
Global Networking and Events
Connecting Conservationists Worldwide
SEVENSEAS Media has a long history of hosting networking events in Washington, D.C., and we aim to expand these events globally. Our vision is to have representatives in major cities worldwide organizing regular networking events, talks, film screenings, and participating in conferences and trade fairs. These events will serve as a platform for conservationists to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on projects that further marine conservation.
Special Projects and Campaigns
Yearly Campaigns and Translations
SEVENSEAS Media undertakes a range of special projects each year, from running awareness campaigns on specific environmental issues to translating scientific and conservation material into local languages, such as Thai. These efforts ensure that local communities have access to critical knowledge and can actively participate in conservation efforts.
Educational Video Series
We are currently working on an educational children’s video series to introduce younger audiences to marine conservation concepts in an engaging and accessible way. This is part of our broader commitment to creating educational content that resonates with all age groups.
Budget and Financial Goals
2024 Budget
Our current budget for 2024 is $300,000, which covers salaries, production costs for our publications, beach cleanups, coral restoration, and special projects. Much of our work is supported by in-kind donations and volunteer efforts, including hundreds of hours of writing, photography, and on-the-ground work.
2025 Budget Goal
Our aspirational budget for 2025 is $650,000. To meet this goal, we need to raise an additional $350,000. These funds will be used to:
- Expand our on-the-ground efforts, particularly in coral reef restoration and rapid-response initiatives like Coral Reef 9-1-1.
- Hire two additional staff members to support special projects, international outreach, and the refinement of our publishing efforts.
- Build a financial buffer that allows us to respond more effectively to urgent conservation needs.
With this funding, SEVENSEAS Media will be able to continue its vital work in ocean conservation while expanding its reach and impact globally.