Marine Conservation Organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East

The AILERONS team’s focus is on the study of the biology and ecology of sharks and rays in order to contribute to their conservation in the Mediterranean region. They also work at raising the awareness of the general public about current conservation issues in the Mediterranean

The Alexandria Turtle and Wildlife Rescue Team focuses on protecting wild animals in their natural habitats, in particular sea turtles

Not precisely a marine conservation organization, but with the potential to impact on marine conservation significantly, Algaqua is a spin-off project at Malaga University, and in 2020, received the award for best business initiative in the Blue-Growth contest of the Andalusian Marine Maritime Cluster. The project is based on the sustainable production of different aquatic organisms, such as fish and algae, and various plants, mainly in food and other possible applications such as cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. The waste from one is used by other, for example, the nutrient rich water from fish farming is used for in vegetable farming. This system can be used for both freshwater and saltwater, growing both vegetables and algae.

Alnitak has worked for the past 30 years to protect the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea through research, education and community engagement, involving volunteers in their research missions. This has included a successful turtle tagging project, OASIS, and MEDTOP, monitoring the top pelagic species in the Mediterranean. In 1989 Alnitak restored the historical fishing boat Toftevaag with the purpose of developing science and education programs, and have a second ship Va de Bon Coeur.

AAE works to inform and mobilize a 'culture of sustainability that reduces the amount of garbage that reaches our seas'. Based in Spain, they achieve this via a variety of communications platforms including the media, via networking with hundreds of organizations which organize coastal and beach cleanups, and promoting citizen science, to increase awareness of the problem of marine plastic pollution. Their website includes a database in which an analysis of the type of debris collected can be found.

ARC Marine is focused on designing, building, deploying and monitoring nature-based solutions for the marine environment. Founded in 2015 by concerned divers, initially the aim was to accelerate reef creation globally via their ‘Reef Cubes’ solution. Their products have since expanded to include ‘Marine crete’, an environment friendly construction material for foundations and marine anchoring; ‘Marine matt’ for subsea protection such as sediment stabilisation; and their ‘Marine armour’ product protects against flooding and coastal erosion.

The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece works at the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats in Greece. Main activities are monitoring and research, rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles and raising public awareness. They run many volunteer programmes, all with the purpose of ensuring the sea turtles are treated correctly, and that injured turtles are released back to the sea as soon as they are better. The Sea Turtle Rescue Center is in Glyfada Attikis and 8 other Sea Turtle Conservation Projects are on Zakynthos, Kyparissia Bay, Crete, south Peloponnese, Amvrakikos, working with the support of volunteers, since 1983.

Archipelagos, Institute of Marine Conservation is a Greek non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1998. Archipelagos is committed to researching and defending the biodiversity of the Greek seas and islands, as well as of the NE Mediterranean region overall. The focus is on a combination of multi-disciplinary scientific research and efficient conservation work.

AMCC is an organization based in Iceland that works towards marine conservation. Through its solution-based and scientific approach, AMCC aims to lead by example and encourage, inform and educate the public on the necessary steps to take. They are included in the Nordic Coastal Cleanup network.

Ark2030 is on a mission 'to restore the 500 million hectares of ecosystems destroyed by mankind since the beginning of the industrial revolution'. A strategic and collaborative approach, working with specialist partners around the world, Ark2030 has developed funding models for environmental restoration programmes. They invest in the companies that are working to restore the natural world. Included in their sights are: Cleaning up the Ganges, restoring the global whale population, targeting plastic pollution in the oceans and on land, improving island eco-systems, developing mangrove plantations, protecting and restoring the Great Barrier Reef and other coral restoration programmes such as Coralive's Maldives project.

The Spanish Association of Marine Waste (AEBAM) promotes, disseminates and awareness about the impact of waste in marine environments.

Based in Spain, the main objective of the Zero Waste Association is to serve as a platform for research, training, dissemination and action on all aspects related to the prevention, minimization and elimination of waste, enhancing social awareness and promoting participation to advance towards sustainable development. The association was formed by a group of environmental professionals concerned about the impact of waste on the environment.