About us

Blue Ventures is a science-led social enterprise that works with local communities to conserve threatened marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.

We develop and scale innovative models for marine conservation within some of the poorest tropical coastal communities.

We work in tropical, frequently very remote, places where marine resources are vital to local people and economies, and where there is a fundamental need to support human development. The results of our work help us to innovate new ways to protect marine biodiversity that benefit coastal people everywhere.

Above is our interactive map of Madagascar, click the plus signs to see examples of the work Blue Ventures is doing in Madagascar. We are also active in Belize..

Our highly acclaimed programmes have won many awards for their entrepreneurial approaches to conservation and development.

Amongst other achievements, we have created the largest community managed marine protected area in the Indian Ocean, established community-led fisheries management on a regional scale, introduced new approaches to financing and incentivising conservation, built sustainable aquaculture businesses, and pioneered integrated approaches to addressing conservation and community health needs.

…a model for everyone working to conserve the natural life-support systems of our troubled planet."
Sir David Attenborough

Where we work

Our pioneering approach has guided national fisheries policy and legislation, and been replicated by communities, NGOs and government agencies along hundreds of kilometres of coastline.

Our work is built on a foundation of rigorous empirical research and a steadfast commitment to investing in people. From school to postgraduate level, we provide year-round support to build the local skills and expertise needed to grow conservation from the grassroots. Our dedicated team of conservationists, development specialists, researchers and social entrepreneurs work directly with coastal communities to tackle the challenge of marine conservation in all its complexity.

Blue Ventures does magnificent work, helping local communities and offering extraordinary volunteering opportunities that you'll remember for the rest of your life.

Simon Reeve - Adventurer, Author and TV Presenter of BBC's Indian Ocean series

We believe that with the right knowledge and means, developing coastal communities can live in harmony with their natural marine environments.

Our purpose is to give coastal communities the knowledge and skills they need to live sustainably.

Through our marine expeditions, volunteers from around the world join our field teams on career breaks and gap years, working closely with local communities and conservation scientists.