APPROACH
APPROACH
SMALL GRANTS FOR
BIG OCEAN OPPORTUNITIES
ROC PROJECTS SPOTLIGHT
The Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants Program is a project of the Waitt Foundation. ROC Grants provide small grants with a quick turnaround time for solutions to emerging conservation issues. We are so proud of our grantees and the difference they are making for our oceans.
Los Cabos Coastkeeper: Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Los Cabos
The region around Cabo San Lucas’ Flora and Fauna Protection Area, one of Mexico’s most iconic national protected areas, has experienced an astounding boom in real estate development, tourism, and population since the 1990’s. First established in 1974, the Protection…
Earth Law Center: Legal Protection for Whale & Dolphin Sanctuary
Earth Law Center’s (ELC) primary aim of this project is to protect the biodiversity and ocean health in the Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary of Uruguay’s EEZ. Our goal is to prevent the threats to this ecosystem by establishing a legal…
Mision Tiburon: Conservation of the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
The Scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, is classified as endangered by IUCN Red List. The aim of the project is to improve the conservation of the S. lewini population in the Eastern Tropical Pacific by means of protecting th Golfo…
Sea Shepherd Legal: Fighting Against IUU Fishing in Peru
Sea Shepherd Legal (SSL) protects marine wildlife and habitats through the training of government officials, particularly in countries like Peru where ocean ecosystem exploitation is rampant and responsive government capacity is inadequate. This grant will enable SSL to build on its…
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Reef Doctor: Artificial Reef Establishment
The livelihood of 200,000 inhabitants is threatened by declining fishery yields and degraded marine habitats in the Bay of Ranobe, Southwest Madagascar. Reef Doctor proposes to install artificial reefs to provide alternative habitats for marine lives, bolster local fishing yields,…
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Marine Megafauna Foundation: Genomic tools for Yellowfin Tuna
The yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, is among the most traded tuna species. This species is close to being cataloged as a threatened species according to IUCN (2011). Understanding the status of the population of yellowfin tuna in a part of…
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Chicago Zoological Society: Assessment of Fur Seals and Sea Lions
The Chicago Zoological Society will develop new community engagement initiatives centered around the Punta San Juan marine reserve in Peru, home to endangered Peruvian South American fur seals, South American sea lions, and Humboldt penguins. Activities including monthly family reserve…
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Island Reach: Developing the MPA Network in Makelula, Vanuatu
Ni-Vanuatu people depend on coastal fisheries for their livelihood and food security. The six villages of Southwest Bay, Malekula — Tenstik, Lembenwen, Wintua, Lorlo, Lapo, Lawa — have long followed the traditional marine conservation practice of Tabu areas, or periodically…
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MarViva: Public Policy of the High Seas in the CRD
MarViva’s grant on building awareness towards establishment of public policy for the conservation of the High Seas in the Costa Rica Dome (CRD) goal to help protect the invaluable biodiversity and ecosystem services. Through multisectoral marine spatial planning involving Central American…
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Association for Animal Protection and Inventory: 1st MPAs in Bosnia
Previous studies done by the Association for Animal Inventory and Protection revealed the presence of four species of skates and rays (some of them are considered as rare in the Adriatic) within the waters of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with abundant populations and…