ICCF is extending its collaboration by supporting the formation and launch of the Oceans Caucus Foundation (OCF) within its organizational structure. The Oceans Caucus Foundation has assembled a powerful collaboration of public and private sector organizations to educate U.S. and international policymakers about issues of ocean conservation worldwide, including establishing a balance between the needs of ecosystems and fishing, tourism, and transportation industries.

Like ICCF, the Oceans Caucus Foundation recognizes the importance of conservation and the link between good natural resource management and sustainable economic growth, and focuses specifically on ocean issues. The Oceans Caucus Foundation joins ICCF’s collaboration of like-minded corporate and NGO partners to help forge bold new solutions in maritime conservation. The OCF also works hand in hand with the strong global network of partner nations in ICCF’s Conservation Council of Nations to establish and foster relationships with partners and government leaders and to build consensus on issues relating to oceans.

Working with the leadership of the Oceans Caucus in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate, Conservation Council of Nations partner embassies in Washington and their parliaments at home, the OCF is able to adequately address oceanic issues by bringing together leaders from all of the communities that depend on oceans. ICCF envisions the Oceans Caucus Foundation as a means to specifically address the conservation needs of coastal ecosystems, and to focus on preserving not only the immense beauty of oceans, but also the economic value.