Marine Programme

The Waterloo Foundation's Marine Programme supports initiatives that work to halt and restore declining fish stocks globally. The programme focuses on stopping destructive and illegal fishing and supporting sustainable and small-scale fisheries. Preference is given to initiatives working to influence fisheries policy, projects that halt the decline of fish stocks that communities in the Global South rely on, and those working to bring about sustainable fisheries in Wales. The programme supports both strategic projects working at international or regional scale and practical local projects that directly impact marine fisheries and fishing-dependent communities. Strategic projects may include working on international marine policy, campaigning for improved fishing industry practices, exploring different fishing techniques, and improving information exchange to combat illegal fishing. Local projects may include development of community-managed marine protected areas, addressing local causes of over-exploitation, creating sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities, and securing fishing rights for fishery-dependent communities. The protection of mangroves and seagrasses to benefit local fisheries is also supported.