Sailors for the Sea 2016 Annual Report
UNITING BOATERS TO PROTECT THE OCEAN
R, EVERY DAY THIS YEA
3,733 PEOPLE ENGAG
ED W ITH
ND SOCIAL ME D MS A IA OUR PROGRA
1,362,589 BOATER THE OCEAN THAT’S S PROTECTING
Sailors for the Sea 2016 Annual Report Sailors for the Sea is the world’s only ocean conservation nonprofit that engages, educates, inspires, and activates the sailing and boating community toward healing the ocean. Our programs offer boaters tangible opportunities to become change agents and harness the power of their passion to protect the ocean.
SUSTAINABILITY
EDUCATION
SOCIAL IMPACT
STEWARDSHIP
long term use of resources
empowerment through knowledge
mobilizing our community to take action
protecting the ocean for future generations
FROM OUR PRESIDENT With your generous help and support, it has been an exciting year of growth and new initiatives for Sailors for the Sea! Our new Green Boating Guide, a go-to resource for eco-smart boating, was launched on Earth Day and viewed more than 10,000 times in the first six months. Additionally, a third affiliate was launched in Santiago, Chile in the fall. With its brilliant maritime history and close connection to the sea, it was clear to our leadership that Chile would be an excellent base for our conservation work and complement the efforts of our current affiliates in Japan and Portugal. With our global network of affiliates, program users, educational partners, and marine trade supporters, Sailors for the Sea offers an unparalleled platform to advance public knowledge about how to protect the ocean. We are the world’s leading aggregator and interpreter of complex ocean science and regulatory issues for the boating community.
We are members of fourteen professional organizations such as the United Nations High Seas Alliance and the National Marine Educators Association, and collaborate with more than twenty-five research and education institutions including NOAA and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. These partnerships strengthen our science-based programs and ocean health reporting - the cornerstones of our work. For the past three years, Sailors for the Sea has experienced 25% annual growth in program participation. In 2016, 1,362,589 people engaged with our programs and social media, a 54% increase from 2015. In the pages that follow, you will learn more about the impact and outcomes of our award winning, innovative programs that you have made possible. But, as proud as we are of our work and accomplishments, none of it would have been possible without the sustained dedication of our partners, supporters, and volunteers. Now more than ever, we must come together as a global community to advance effective ocean conservation. Thank you for your support and commitment to our mission. We look forward to all we can accomplish together in 2017. Yours for the ocean, R. Mark Davis President
CLEAN REGATTAS
bridging the gap between sailing events and sustainability We celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Clean Regattas, and hit the milestone of 1,000 events participating in the program and 400,000 sailors attending Clean Regattas. Additionally 2016 marked an increase in certification requirements at each level and an improved website registration process.
- Marcy Trent Long, Sailing Manager, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
216
EVENTS
42,256
SAILORS
21% growth
“Clean Regattas has given the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club a structure and a checklist to ensure that whilst we are sailing we are also protecting our oceans. Enrollment in Clean Regattas was the catalyst for the club to become plastic water bottle and plastic bag free on Ocean Day earlier this year.�
KIDS ENVIRONMENTAL LESSON PLANS educating the next generation of ocean stewards
Our KELP program has rapidly grown since it started in 2011 and bringing on a dedicated education director in 2015. The program now has 43 lesson plans and since its inception has been utilized by 618 organizations to educate 114,000 students.
- Jen Guimaraes, Associate Director, Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center
45%
24,764
STUDENTS
227
ORGANIZATIONS
growth
“KELP is an excellent tool for sailing organizations. With these activities sailors are engaged, having fun and learning something about the environment. As sailors it is important that we recognize how valuable our natural resources are tools like KELP make this possible. Activities are easy to follow and teach, even for the least science-oriented sailor.�
2016 KELP CONTENT PARTNERS 5 Gyres Institute Birch Aquarium California Academy of Sciences Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Marine Biological Association Monterey Bay Aquarium Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch New Bedford Whaling Museum New England Aquarium National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration North American Marine Environment Protection Association Plymouth University Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Rutgers University Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences Sea Semester Shark Census Project – Florida International University Tabor Academy The Pew Environment Group The Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean The Scripps Institute of Oceanography University of Miami’s R.J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography WaterFront Center
OCEAN WATCH MAGAZINE bringing ocean health issues to life
The second edition of Ocean Watch magazine was very well received and the online articles continue to be the leading source of our traffic, showing that boaters come to our website to be educated about ocean health issues. Since its start in 2009, more than 240,000 people have engaged with the program.
“It is really spectacular to see this superb set of articles gathered together to educate boaters about the need to protect the ocean.� - Dr. Larry McKinney, Executive Director of Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies
2 6 5,3 ERS
7 EAD
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2016 OCEAN WATCH CONTRIBUTORS Audubon Society Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Coastal Studies for Girls Conservation Law Foundation Cornell University/ Liquid Robotics Global Fin Project NASA Oceana/ Global Fishing Watch Pacific Shark Research Center SciAll.org Sea Education Association Seafood Watch/ Monterey Bay Aquarium The Nature Conservancy The World Bank
GREEN BOATING GUIDE eco-friendly tips for boaters
New in 2016, our Green Boating Guide has quickly become the go-to resource for boaters to reduce their environmental impact. The guide has 24 topics covering everything from non-toxic cleaning products to renewable energy sources.
“The Green Boating Guide from Sailors for the Sea is a collection of time-honored wisdom about how to play on the waters we care about without harming them.” – Doug Logan, Senior Editor, Boats.com
10,900
BOATERS
WELCOME ABOARD!
a blue future at our 2016 bi-annual gala On December 6th, 2016 we held our third Welcome Aboard Gala, hosted by Stephen & Wendy Lash and David & Susan Rockefeller. 225 sailors, donors and ocean enthusiasts attended the event, hosted by Christie’s in Rockefeller Plaza. The State of the Ocean conversation between Charles Goddard, Dr. Enric Sala, and Ian Walker was a highlight of the night along with an auction to help raise critical funds to support our mission.
“We have been a proud partner of Sailors for the Sea since 2012. The Welcome Aboard Gala, hosted at Christie’s in NYC brings together a group of distinguished individuals for an evening of ocean science, sailing, and media, while recognizing those who are impacting change. They are a pragmatic and action oriented group with whom we are honored to be associated.” Stephen S. Lash, Chairman Emeritus, Christie’s
WELCOME ABOARD! SUPPORTERS PLATINUM Charles Butt
GOLD
David & Susan Rockefeller SILVER Gerry & Marguerite Lenfest David Rockefeller, Sr. Alex Roepers
BRONZE
Anonymous Rick & Nonnie Burnes John K. Castle Bert & Barbara Cohn Jim & Paula Crown Edward Dolman & Samantha Gilbert William Douglass & Kristin Blundo Regan & Billy Gammon Agnes Gund Graham & Ann Gund Roger Kass & Andrea van Beuren Ann Luskey Mahaney Master Holdings McCausland Foundation Kathryn Murdoch Julie Packard Epp Sonin Jerry Speyer and Katherine Farley Sue & Edgar Wachenheim Foundation Raoul & Bettina Witteveen
CONTRIBUTORS
Matthew & Elizabeth Baird Henry & Jeannie Becton Philip G. Bennett Mr. & Mrs. John R.H. Blum Michael & Marie Boyle James Brooke Putter & Nannie Brown Chris Buck & Hara Schwartz Ordway & Jean Burden Dayton Carr Fred & Marie Claude Butler Elliot & Lauren Cafritz Vin Cipolla & Celine McDonald Sandy Cockerell, III J. Barclay Collins Archibald Cox L. Jay Cross Jim & Martha Crowley Dawn Curtis Hanley John Danzer
Virginia & Peter Dimsey Paul Donofrio Peggy Dulany Sunny Dupree The Enersen Foundation Jonathan & Karin Fielding Edwin Fischer Trey Fitzgibbons Cece & Mack Fowler Austin & Gwen Fragomen Alex Fusina Jane & Bob Geniesse April Gow Andrew Graves Chris & Carolyn Groobey Galen & Holly Guengerich John C. Henry Marlene Hess Bob & Laura Hoguet Ryutaro & Maki Hosokawa Laura Ianuly Fred Iseman
Hans Michael Jebsen Reuben & Robin Jefferey Robert Johnstone, III Martin & Wendy Kaplan Stephen Kennedy Ken Miller & Lybess Sweezy Donald Law, Jr. & Sara Molyneaux Helaine Lerner Sven Linblad Ted & Patty Madara Serge Martin Alexis Michas Alan & Cecily Morse Clarke Murphy Paul Murphy Scott Nathan & Laura DeBonis Betsy Nicholson John O’Hara Parsons Family Foundation
Bob Patterson Frank Piasecki Polly Pierce Marnie Pillsbury Kristin Rechberger Christopher Du P. Roosevelt Rusty & Deedie Rose Peter & Meredith Rugg Enric Sala Mia Thompson Fred & Laurel Towers David & Kate Treadway Martin Tuchman Hans Utsch & Julia Merck John & Barbara Vogelstein Foundation Stephanie & Jonathan Warburg Paul White Clare Wynne
LIVE AUCTION
Cece Fowler
EVENT, DESIGNS & GIFT BAGS
NANTUCKET
YOUTH HONOREE SPONSOR
SKIP A STRAW – SAVE A TURTLE Straws are consistently on the top 10 lists for marine debris collected every year during the International Coastal Cleanup and it is estimated that Americans use a whopping 500 million straws per day. While it seems simple, straws create a pressing threat to our oceans because they are made to be disposable, but from material that is rarely recyclable, and they almost always end up in a landfill, or worse the ocean. Once in the ocean, the straw either ends up harming marine wildlife or breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces eventually making their way into the food chain.
SKIP THE STRAW – BE A CLEAN REGATTA Trash on the small Caribbean island of Antigua is a big problem; with landfills growing beyond capacity, recycling must be shipped off island. The country also prides itself on its beautiful beaches, and humans along with sea turtles flock to them. Antigua Sailing Week has been working with the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas program since 2009. A partnership with the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua has enabled them to improve certification over the years. In 2015, they started the straw battle utilizing the best practice Responsible Dinnerware. This standard encourages regattas to eliminate single-use plastics, including straws. While this concept seems really easy – as simple as not purchasing straws – habits are hard to break. Recognizing that many sailors would be dining at local bars and restaurants, race organizers expanded beyond the docks. The Antigua & Barbuda Marine Association took the mission even further, continuing the ‘Skip the Straw’ initiative long after the regatta was over, expanding to hotels. Local business owners easily opted-in by posting signs that say “Straws by Request Only.” Many locals have seen the issue of plastic pollution washing up on their beaches over the years and know the negative impacts plastic has on their environment. These signs create a catalyst for action and institute an easy behavior change. They also create an amazing education moment for those who aren’t aware of the 8 million metric tons of plastic that enters the ocean every year. Using straws is so ingrained in our culture that the key to this movement is removing the straws altogether. Individuals can request they not be given one, but are at the mercy of the bartender or waiter who have been trained to add them.
2016 AUDITED FINANCIALS Fundraising Expenses
23%
Expenses Program Fundraising General & Admin Total Expenses:
Other
1%
$1,099,951 $401,550 $214,516 $1,716,017
G&A Expenses
13%
Program Expenses
In-kind
3%
64%
Contributions
21%
Special Event Revenue
Revenues Contributions Grants Special Event Other In-kind
42% Grants
33%
Less than 1% of nonprofits in the US have achieved this rating. Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Accredited meeting 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Total Revenue:
$429,909 $656,073 $841,504 $15,177 $64,476 $2,007,139
STRATEGIC PARTNERS & SPONSORS 2016 PROGRAM PARTNERS Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Canadian Wildlife Federation Caribbean Sailing Association Cruising Club of America Engineered Marine Coatings Green Sports Alliance Community Partner Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) J/Boats Lonely Whale Foundation Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Conservation Partner Newport International Boat Show Ocean Conservancy Oceana Sail America Sail Newport Sea Education Association US Sailing Yacht Racing Forum
2016 PROFESSIONAL & ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS High Seas Alliance National Marine Educators Association New England Ocean Action Network Our Oceans Network Rhode Island Energy & Environmental Leaders Network Rhode Island Marine Trades Association Society for Conservation Biology’ International Marine Conservation Congress Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council US Superyacht Association Program Sponsors MJM Yachts North Sails Velocitek
OCEAN GUARDIAN
Metta Enlightenment Foundation David and Susan Rockefeller, Jr.
SEA KEEPER
Anonymous Henry & Jeannie Becton Rick & Nonnie Burnes Chadwick Foundation Regan & Billy Gammon Michael Phillips Serge Martin
OCEAN STEWARD
Edmund & Betsy Cabot Charitable Foundation Ide & David Dangoor Barbara & Amos Hostetter Sackler Hunt Foundation
OCEAN LIFE GUARD
Vin Cipolla & Ms. Celine McDonald G. West & Victoria Saltonstall Drs. David Treadway
OCEAN PROTECTOR Schofield Andrews Enid Beal Malin Burnham Bydale Foundation Daniel E. Cohn Daniel Cohn & Lynn Brinton Katherine Collins Munger Jay Cross Sunny Dupree George Eberstadt & Cynthia Young Paul Fremont-Smith Gowrie Group Robert Hoguet Edward Johnson Elizabeth B. Johnson Barbara Lee Finlay Matheson The McCausland Foundation Betsy Nicholson & Eric Thielscher Mike Piper & Family Pamela Silver & Jeffrey Way Walter Sullivan, III Ken & Carol Weg David Max Williamson David Winkler
CONTRIBUTORS
Robyn Albritton Thomas Amidon David Anthes Wells Bacon Gordon Beck Sara Benson Veronica Berounsky Steven Bettum Jono Bixby Jeremy Bloxham Rose Boynton Henry Brauer Shelley Brown Nicholas Brown John Bullard Andrew Burnes John Burnham Levin Campbell Amos Cape John Carroll Joy Chatowsky Mary Chatterton Kenneth Colburn John Collins Barbara Cooper Bruce Corliss Nelson Cover Elizabeth Cullen R. Mark & Betsy Davis Louis Del Guercio Cathrine Denman Philip Dey Joseph Diaz Mary Jo Dieckhaus Al Eagles Scott Fish Judith Fox Dean Fraioli Tom Fremont-Smith William Freund Bruce Gallaher Jonathan Gean Barbara Ghazarian
Haley Gove David Grant Harvey Green Lumina Greenway Holly Grosvenor Reynolds Guyer Stefan H Cushman Meredith Haas Neal Harrell Rod Heikell Hans Hernden Paul Herzan Charlotte Hill Richard Hinds Christopher Houlihan Heather Irene Howard Jennifer Huntley Mary Jameson Nancy Jamison Haylley Johnson Andrew Johnson Molly Johnston Jay Kehoe John Kelly Hilary Kotoun Ka Lam Kung Elizabeth Leatherman Robert Leeson Roxanne Leighton Chris Lejeune Christine Leone George Lewis John Linnartz Doug Logan Kevin Luczak Amy MacKown Raymond Magana Ken Maring Joan Mason Brian McCabe Don McMannis Mary Menninger Scott Meyer
Robert Morton Mary Lou Nicholson Thomas Nicholson Philip O'Conor Nick Orem Julia O’Sullivan Don Palen Ken Pariseau Mark Patek Bruce G Potter Joesph Poznick Sanjay Pudupakkam George Putnam Robert Quinlan David Ray Chris Rein David Rider Douglas Riggs Daniella Rivkin Sydney Rockefeller Camilla Rockefeller Diaba Rodin Laurence Rubinow Heather Ruhsam Taryn Rusignuolo Carrie Saffer Edward Samek Ray Scurr Richard Seavey Marcy Shapley Zoe Simmons John Staehle Alexa Sterling Amy Steward Anson Stookey Amber Stronk Putuh Suadela Brenda Sullivan James Swan Jennifer Tille Darlene Trew Crist Nicholas Troccoli Kathleen van Rijn
Joselynn Wallace Gabrielle Weiss Austin Wesley Eastridge Jr. Ann Weston Robert Whitehead R Peter Wilcox Rich Wilson Natasha Wrubel Jessica Wurzbacher Robert Yahn
SPECIAL PROJECT: DISCARDED THE DOCUMENTARY Ann Ahnemann Tiffany Ameen Laurel Angelica Myers Cindy Antonucci-Ameen Patti Ashton Michael Ashton Michelle Barnes Cathy Broadfoot Robert Burns Venetia Carotenuto Neil Christerson Peter Converse Cristina Costantino Joe Costner Annie Costner Robert Davis Rumen Deyanov Virginia Dimsey Cece Fowler Jerilyn Gagnon Adrienne Hall Adrienne Hall Nancy Heil Bob Hinden Kim Hunt
Gina L Hunter Michael Jacobs Michael Keller Kevin Kliman Jason Lake Matthiah Larkin Celeste Lear Chris Lejeune David Margolius Jeff MeGown Cindy and Brian Morris Perry Morris Christine Nye Gina Papabeis Pamela Perrewe William Ragalie Justin Renny Elisabeth Reynolds David and Susan Rockefeller David Rockefeller, Jr. Denise Sarchiapone Mike Scalisi Paul Sher Thomas Sprehe James Sykes
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Rockefeller Jr., Chairman
STAFF
R. Mark Davis, President
AFFILIATE PRESIDENTS Fernando Nilo, Chile
Dr. David Treadway, Vice Chairman Robyn Albritton, MNR
Minako Iue, Japan
Rick Burnes, Treasurer
Rose Boynton, CPA
Bernardo Corrêa de Barros, Portugal
Henry Becton
Shelley Brown, Ph.D.
Vin Cipolla
Hilary Kotoun
SCIENCE ADVISORS
Ed Dolman
Heather Ruhsam
Regan Gammon
Amber Stronk, MAS
Ann Luskey Betsy Nicholson
ADVISORY COUNCIL John Burnham
David Max Williamson
Peter McCausland
Raoul Witteveen
Bob Johnstone Mark Schrader
Scott C. Doney, Ph.D. Dr. Charles F. Kennel James J. McCarthy, Ph.D. Dr. Larry McKinney Dennis Nixon CONTACT INFORMATION
449 Thames Street, 300D Newport, RI 02840 401-846-8900