OUR
AMBITION

Our purpose

To have a healthy future, we must have a healthy ocean. We need to foster an ocean with clear, clean water, abundant fish populations and thriving marine ecosystems. Where we prioritise the importance of the ocean in a healthy future and invest in knowledge that supports this ambition. Where we understand that by restoring and protecting our ocean, we all benefit.

We believe

• Aotearoa has a special role to play in securing the health of the world’s oceans.
• Ocean research and innovation can happen within a mātauranga Māori framework.
• Ocean science, data and innovation are needed to inform ocean governance and decision making.
• Protection of the ocean can play a critical role in building climate resilience.
• Protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 is an achievable goal.
• Our generation has a responsibility to future generations to meet Aotearoa’s ocean commitments.
• Sharing ocean stories is a powerful mechanism for effecting change.
• Fishing responsibly will make a difference.
• Achieving zero by-catch of seabirds and marine mammals is possible.
• Reducing land-based pollution of our coastal and marine areas is a shared responsibility.