Pro Ocean
“We want to encourage people from all over the world to take part and protect the oceans.”
When a whale with 40 kilograms of plastic in its stomach washed up dead in the Philippines in 2019, it was clear to Basti that we had to do something. The idea of our own collection and recycling project in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth was born.
With Pro Ocean, we have been working for people, animals, and plants living in and around the ocean ever since. We save animals from death by ocean plastic, protect mangrove forests, explain to children what plastic can cause and we think about what we can do with the collected waste.
It is very important for us to involve the local people. We fight the causes of ocean plastic and other waste where it is created – on land. In addition, we do not need expensive technology and therefore use the donations very effectively. We offer local people secure and fairly paid jobs, creating change through participation.
When it comes to oceans, we are very conservative. We like the oceans without plastic and other waste.
Pro Ocean’s Mission
Protect the oceans from waste.
Pro Ocean’s Inspiration
In 2019 a whale died from 40 kg plastic on the Philippines. That was the tipping point for Basti and Lukas to start with Pro Ocean and build the most transparent and impactful ocean conservation project.
Pro Ocean hopes to remove inequalities of people, that would change everything.
Pro Ocean’s Vision
We work for a world without ocean plastic and other waste. For a world where people and animals can enjoy the ocean habitat without the harmful consequences of excessive consumption and carelessness.
By 2030, we aim to clean the entire island of Negros in the Philippines of waste with our collection teams and educate 30,000 school children each year about the issue. 15,000 square kilometers of mangrove forest are to be reforested and protected, while at the same time providing local people with a source of income, for example through ecotourism. 50,000 whales, dolphins, turtles, birds and fish are to be saved from death by ocean plastic through our work.
Ocean Conservation Project, Philippines
COLLECTING & RECYCLING
Daily clean-ups on beaches and river deltas
All waste is then sorted and recycled
We collect plastic and other waste 6 days a week on Negros Island, Philippines. Areas of operation are beaches, estuaries, and mangrove forests, as most plastic enters the oceans via rivers and beaches.
By doing this, we prevent plastic from entering the oceans in the first place and turning into microplastics. In addition, we don’t need expensive technology and involve local people.
PROTECTION OF ANIMALS & EDUCATION
Protection of whales, dolphins, and turtles
Conservation and reforestation of mangrove forests
Educational projects for local school children
Over 1 million animals die each year because of ocean plastic. They get caught in it or eat it and then starve to death. Take, for example, a whale that washed up in the Philippines in 2019 – with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach.
Many of the animals also die from toxic substances or other waste that is not accounted for in plastic-only collection projects. This is why we collect all kinds of waste!
With every donation, we also protect local mangrove forests and plant new ones. Mangroves are a very important part of the ocean ecosystem, 6 out of 10 fish in our oceans grow up there.
With the Pro Ocean educational campaign, we enable local school children to learn about ocean plastic and the importance of mangroves through play. They receive a specially designed lesson and are allowed to visit a mangrove adventure park.
JOBS & PARTICIPATION
8 permanently employed collectors
Health insurance included
Secure income for over 30 family members
Poverty is one of the main reasons for ocean plastic. In order to help the people in the regions of the world particularly affected by ocean plastic, the economic situation must be improved first.
We, therefore, employ our staff on a permanent basis and do not pay them per kilogram only. They also have full health insurance and are provided with lunch every working day. This is not a matter of course in the Philippines and we are proud to be able to offer people a new perspective.
