Scaling Ocean Conservation
Learn about key takeaways from The Nature Conservancy's ocean conservation workshop hosted during the 2026 Philanthropy Asia Summit.
The Nature Conservancy hosted a workshop on scaling ocean conservation through frontier technologies as part of the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2026. Captured below are the perspectives of over 100 participants who joined us.
The Global Ocean Innovation Challenge was developed to help us meet our global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Progress has been promising so far, with designating marine protected areas (MPAs) and transforming fisheries management being some of the most effective ways to achieve our goals. But both of these approaches share a common challenge: monitoring remains labour-intensive, making it challenging to scale at the speed that the ocean requires.
The Global Ocean Innovation Challenge was developed in direct response to this challenge. Alongside venture platform Newlab, we found the technology innovations that could help us meet real-world ocean conservation needs. In this workshop, three of these start-ups shared about their innovations, and participants had the opportunity to chime in on where the gaps remain, and what more needs to be done to protect our oceans.
The insights below are gathered from those conversations.
From innovation to implementation: closing the gap
Many technologies show promise but fail to move beyond pilots. This gap is not purely technical. It is often driven by fragmented funding, weak integration into real-world systems, and misalignment between innovators and end users. Closing this gap requires designing solutions with real-world implementation in mind from the outset.
- Fragmented funding that does not support long-term deployment
- Limited integration into existing systems and workflows
- Weak alignment between those building and those using the solutions
Making data useful, not just abundant
Data is no longer the primary constraint. Instead, the challenge is turning fragmented information into actionable insight. Advancements in monitoring, sensors and AI are enabling near real-time visibility into marine systems, but impact depends on how this information is applied.
- Shift from static reporting to continuous insight
- Integration of multiple datasets into unified systems
- Delivery of usable information for decision-makers
Keeping communities at the centre
Technology alone cannot deliver conservation outcomes. Communities must play a central role in shaping and sustaining solutions. Approaches that ignore local realities rarely succeed, while those that build ownership and trust tend to endure.
- Treating communities as partners rather than beneficiaries
- Designing tools that are accessible and locally relevant
- Aligning conservation with existing livelihoods
Rethinking how ocean conservation is financed
Traditional funding models are often insufficient for sustained deployment. New approaches are needed to match the long-term nature of conservation challenges and technological development.
- Blended finance models combining philanthropy and private capital
- Revenue models built on data and services
- Longer-term funding aligned to operational realities
Linking conservation with economic value
Conservation outcomes improve when they are tied to economic incentives. Aligning sustainability with value creation helps ensure long-term adoption and resilience.
- Improved traceability in seafood supply chains
- Greater operational efficiency through data
- New employment opportunities in conservation-related work
Strengthening governance and scaling beyond pilots
Ocean systems require coordinated governance approaches. Technology can support this, but must be embedded within policy frameworks to deliver lasting change.
- Integration of data into policy and enforcement
- Cross-border coordination
- Replication of successful models across regions
Defining success more holistically
Measuring conservation outcomes requires broader frameworks that go beyond ecological indicators.
- Combining ecological, social, and economic outcomes
- Maintaining clarity and usability in metrics
- Supporting decision-making and accountability
Toward an integrated model of conservation
Sustainable ocean conservation depends on aligning multiple elements into a coherent system. Technology, communities, finance and policy each play essential roles and must operate together rather than in isolation.
Looking ahead: from pilots to lasting impact
Achieving large-scale conservation goals requires moving beyond pilots and demonstrating long-term viability. This depends on coordinated effort across sectors, including philanthropy, government, private capital and local communities. Protecting the ocean is both an environmental and economic priority, and progress will depend on sustained collaboration and commitment.
Does this topic speak to you? Reach out to singapore@tnc.org to share your perspectives.
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