Ocean networks are partnerships, alliances and knowledge hubs that connect governments, scientists, businesses and nonprofits working on ocean health. This directory lists 13 of them, grouped by the problem they work on. Every link was opened in November 2026 and showed current content at the time. Entries whose sites no longer work, or that could not be confirmed, have been removed.
Ocean science, data and research
| Network | Type | What it does |
|---|
| Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions | University research center | A unit of Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment that does research and innovation on ocean challenges and supports evidence-based action by governments, businesses and civil society. |
| ODIS Catalogue of Sources | Data catalogue | A searchable catalogue of web-based ocean data and information sources, products and services, run through the UNESCO IOC Ocean Data and Information System. It describes sources rather than holding the data itself. |
| Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) | Scientific network | An international network that works to understand ocean acidification conditions and how ecosystems respond, and to share the data needed to model its impacts. Sponsors include NOAA, UNESCO-IOC and the International Atomic Energy Agency. |
Ocean governance and policy
| Network | Type | What it does |
|---|
| Global Ocean Forum | International nonprofit | Promotes good governance of the ocean, healthy marine ecosystems and sustainable development. It publishes the biennial Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action reports and works on implementing the high seas (BBNJ) treaty. |
| International Ocean Institute (IOI) | Training and capacity building | An independent nonprofit offering training in ocean governance, headquartered at the University of Malta. It runs the IOI Ocean Academy. |
| IUCN Ocean and coasts | Global conservation union | The International Union for Conservation of Nature's marine work covers fisheries, high seas, marine ecosystems and species, climate and plastic pollution. Visitors can sign up for IUCN newsletters. |
| OCTO and OpenChannels | Knowledge hub | OCTO (Open Communications for the Ocean) connects ocean professionals to knowledge and networks for marine conservation and management, with programs such as MPA Help and EBM Help. The old OpenChannels web address now redirects here. |
Habitats, fisheries and business
| Network | Type | What it does |
|---|
| International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) | Global partnership | A partnership for the preservation of the world's coral reefs and associated ecosystems. Its site links to the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. |
| Global Mangrove Alliance | Conservation alliance | Brings governments, academia, nonprofits and industry together on mangrove conservation and restoration. It reports over 100 members and 14 national chapters and lists the Global Mangrove Watch among its tools. |
| Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions | Seafood sustainability network | An operating project of the nonprofit Multiplier that brings international experts together through a Global Hub to work on responsible seafood. |
| World Ocean Council | Business alliance | An international alliance of ocean business leaders in sectors such as shipping, energy, aquaculture, seafood, tourism and finance that promotes corporate ocean responsibility. The site is now at worldoceancouncil.org, not the older oceancouncil.org address. |
Pollution and marine debris
| Network | Type | What it does |
|---|
| Plastic Pollution Coalition | Advocacy coalition | A nonprofit communications and advocacy organization working with a global alliance toward a world free of plastic pollution. |
| Global Ghost Gear Initiative | Cross-sector alliance | An alliance of the fishing industry, private sector, NGOs, academia and governments working on lost and abandoned fishing gear. It runs regional projects, a global data portal and a Ghost Gear Reporter app. |
Related reading
For more on these topics, see coral reef bleaching, marine protected areas, ocean pollution facts and sustainable fishing practices.
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