Ocean Impact Organisation and Moananui have joined forces to launch a first-of-its-kind initiative supporting blue economy founders across Aotearoa. Through Moananui’s free startup membership, ocean innovators will gain access to OIO-led masterclasses, mentoring, and storytelling opportunities in 2026 helping them grow their ideas, connect with peers, and scale impact from New Zealand to the world.

What is the UN High Seas Treaty? What is an MPA? And how is the treaty progressing with ratification? We’ll be keeping this article updated with the latest news and information.

Elisa-Marie Dumas explains how the promise of New Zealand’s Blue Economy won’t be realised by any one group working alone, but rather by collaboration. By building the 'connective tissue' between research, startups, iwi, industry, and capital to embrace a sustainable blue future. She explores the unexpected journey leading to lasting relationships, new investments, and now the beginning of OIO's first steps in Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as our recent trip to Te Tauihu.

Geneva, Switzerland was ground zero for the final round of global negotiations that many had hoped would set the world on a course to address plastic pollution across the entire plastics lifecycle. But hopes were dashed with the submission of a suspiciously low ambition draft text by the Chair, just one day before negotiations ended, which saw talks collapse.

Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation, the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA), and Moananui have invited Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) to work alongside them in Aotearoa New Zealand. The collaboration – based initially in Nelson Tasman, the heart of NZ's emerging blue economy cluster – reflects a shared commitment to helping local innovators, researchers, and communities transform ocean health.

The unprecedented algal bloom that has continued to sweep South Australia since March is now twice the size of the ACT – and it’s unlikely to go away anytime soon. Learn how this crisis has impacted marine life, local communities, and the economy, and why there are calls for the ecological catastrophe to be declared a national disaster.

Ocean Impact Organisation is proud to join a group of over 30 First Nations, environmental, and not-for-profit organisations in calling on the Australian Government to push for an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty – one that tackles the entire plastics lifecycle and unlocks support for circular solutions – ahead of negotiations in August.

Now that I’m home from the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) and the Blue Economy & Finance Forum (BEFF), one theme stands out above all: finance finally took centre stage.

Dubbed by many as the “Finance UNOC,” this year’s gathering in Nice marked a watershed moment in the global movement to accelerate investment into ocean health. The conversations were no longer just about the scale of the problem – they were about how we finance the solutions.

The most successful innovators aren’t just in love with their solution. They’re in love with the problem.

That’s the message we kept coming back to during our 2025 Ocean Impact Ideation Program. We worked with a brilliant group of researchers to explore how their work could make a real difference to the ocean. But we didn’t start with pitch decks or business models. We started with mindset.

All eyes were on world leaders at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France last week to take action to protect the ocean. OIO was there to ensure that ocean health solutions are front and centre in this response. Whilst notable announcements were made, real success depends on implementation. So, here’s what was announced, what happens next, and how innovative solutions can help

The best solutions are those rooted in the real world. Innovations that solve genuine challenges and make real impact. These are exactly what we set out to identify with the Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge, a collaboration with Southerly Ten. This innovation challenge aimed to find solutions that could enable offshore wind projects to positively impact the ocean, biodiversity, and climate

[Sydney, 10 June 2025] As the 3rd UN Ocean Conference kicks off, OIO and Southerly Ten have announced EnviroDNA, Hullbot, and Pentarch Offshore Solutions as winners of Australia’s first Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge. Their solutions could help enable the region’s emerging OSW sector to have a net-positive impact on the ocean, climate, and biodiversity.

Planet Protector Group (PPG) has seized the opportunity to develop sovereign manufacturing capability and diversify. Expanding from EPS alternatives to broader sustainable insulation solutions and circular resources. But despite enormous accolades, funding for innovative startups like PPG – who are solving global challenges with local solutions – remains the biggest barrier to success and impact.

Our very own Nick Chiarelli was featured in the 'Leaders Inspiring Hope' issue of Impact Leadership Journal – a digital magazine inspiring a net zero and nature-positive future.

Ocean Impact Organisation is an Official Nominator for the 2025 Earthshot Prize, which awards £1 million to five winners working on solutions to repair the planet, every year of the decade.

We’re pleased to announce the successful completion of the inaugural Ocean Impact Accelerator Program 2024, congratulations to the five brilliant startups for completing the program and achieving this milestone.

SYDNEY, 25 November 2024: Attendees from industry, government, investment, science, not-for-profits and innovation gathered in Sydney on 20 November for only event of its kind in the APAC region - INNOVOCEAN. The annual showcase event celebrated the progress being made by Ocean Impact Organisation and the startups and entrepreneurs it supports, shining a bright light on the potential of ocean solutions to shape a better future.

[Sydney, 14 November 2024] In a first for Australia, OIO and Southerly Ten have today launched the Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge, seeking innovative solutions to help the emerging OSW industry have a positive impact on the ocean, biodiversity and climate.

OIO is proud to announce new tailored initiatives designed to support startups at both earlier and later stages of development. Ensuring that entrepreneurs receive the comprehensive support they need at every moment of their journey. Enhancing our offerings will create more opportunities for founders whilst building a stronger foundation for sustainable ocean innovation and OIO's long-term growth

Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) has signed a strategic partnership with the Maritime Emissions Reduction Coalition (MERC). This partnership is built on a shared vision — one where we combine forces to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the ocean and maritime industries.