The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. NOAA provides environmental intelligence to advance our ability to understand and anticipate changes in the Earth’s environment, improve society’s ability to make scientifically informed decisions, deliver services vital to the economy and public safety, and conserve and manage ocean and coastal ecosystems and resources. NOAA touches the lives of every single American, working 24/7 to keep families safe, property protected, communities thriving, and businesses strong.

The Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) is a collaborative partnership of academic institutions, state and federal resource managers, and private sector companies dedicated to fostering the development and adoption of effective and reliable sensors and sensor platforms for environmental monitoring and long-term stewardship of coastal and ocean resources. ACT goals include: (a) rapidly and effectively transition emerging technologies to operational use; (b) maintain a dialogue among technology users, developers, and providers; (c) identify technology needs and novel tools and approaches to meet those needs; (d) document technology performance and potential; and (e) provide U.S. IOOS with information required for the deployment of reliable and cost-effective networks.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is a key voice and storyteller for the Pacific Ocean, with a vision to conserve and build natural capital by building social capital. Beyond world-class animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers programs for people of all ages, from hands-on family activities to lectures by leading scientists. Through its exhibits and programs, visitors delve deeper into the ocean, making complex scientific topics relevant and accessible to Southern California’s diverse population. The Aquarium is committed to conservation efforts taking the needs of people and nature into account, including urban ocean planning, climate change, ocean exploration, and sustainability.

BioMarine is the global showcase for the latest knowledge and skills covering all sectors within the marine bio resources industry. BioMarine aims to enable the development of sustainable exploitation of marine bio-resources and all trans- sectors applications. BioMarine will meet the needs of industry, sciences and civil society by creating and organizing economic and societal value from blue-economy based value chains in food, energy and biotechnology. We will build long term strategy and policies for the blue economy based on value chains, mostly around marine bio-technology and biomass production to heal, feed and fuel our society.

California Ocean Science Trust works to ensure that state policy and management decisions are supported with a rigorous scientific foundation. At the forefront of ocean and coastal issues, we synthesize and translate scientific knowledge, elevating the most innovative thinking from the scientific community. As an independent, non-profit organization, the Ocean Science Trust strategically builds partnerships across state agencies, scientific institutions and citizens with the shared goal of better ocean management for sustained, healthy and productive ecosystems. We are engaged across the spectrum of issues facing California and the West Coast, particularly ocean acidification, fisheries management, and the scientific monitoring of marine protected areas.

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN’s work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practices. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is a private, non-profit research institution where scientists and engineers work together to develop new instruments and methods for studying the ocean. MBARI scientists and engineers conduct multidisciplinary research in a variety of fields, including marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, physical oceanography, and marine technology. Located in Moss Landing, California, MBARI is supported primarily by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.4 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Livingston, Montana, and Beijing. Follow us on Twitter @NRDC.

Ocean Conservancy advocates for sustainable solutions informed by science and our commitment to future generations. From the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico to the halls of Congress, we make ocean issues accessible and engaging, bringing science, action and communications together to facilitate change and protect the ocean for future generations. We recognize and understand the importance of balancing competing ocean interests and helping marine ecosystems adapt to a changing environment. As the political climate evolves, our depth of experience leaves us poised to address new challenges and continue our legacy of success.

One World One Ocean Foundation contributes to film, television, social media, and educational programs to inspire, educate, and connect millions of people worldwide toward a common purpose: protect and restore the health of the ocean. The cornerstone of our philosophy is the belief that eco-literacy and lifelong learning is critical to an individual’s development and important to inspiring people to become bold, passionate ocean ambassadors. We aim for a world of educated people who appreciate and advocate for the ocean, and realize that this One World and One Ocean need our protection.

NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) is a federal laboratory that makes critical observations and conducts groundbreaking research to advance our knowledge of the global ocean and its interactions with the earth, atmosphere, ecosystems, and climate. PMEL’s mission is to a) observe, analyze, and predict oceanic and atmospheric phenomena, b) lead the development and deployment of innovative technologies, c) identify and understand ocean-related issues of major consequence, and d) inform society with well-documented, high quality science. Key research areas at PMEL include ocean acidification, tsunami detection and forecasting, hydrothermal vent systems, fisheries oceanography, and long term climate monitoring and analysis.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory is a globally recognized independent provider of scientific research and contract services relating to the marine environment, increasing understanding of how marine ecosystems function, how the ocean contributes to a thriving society and how this vital resource can be protected for future generations. Listed 8th in the world of the top 30 Research Institutions in Oceanography (Thomson Reuters, 2011), PML collaborates with on average 250 industrial, academic and governmental partners from 50 countries each year. In the UK PML is a designated National Capability Delivery Partner for the Natural Environment Research Council, providing a strategic research capability in marine science.

With a mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, the Seattle Aquarium is one of Washington State’s leading environmental education and stewardship institutions and the region’s green gathering place for discussion and dissemination of information about marine conservation. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), it’s the ninth largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance and among the top five paid visitor attractions in the Puget Sound region. Since its opening in 1977, the Aquarium has hosted over 23 million visitors and provided marine conservation education to over 1.6 million school children.

A recognized leader in connecting people to our natural world, the Vancouver Aquarium is a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. Since 1956, the Aquarium has addressed conservation issues through innovative conservation, research and education programs.