O V E RV I E W O F I M PAC T A N D K E Y P R O G R A M S | 2 0 2 0

THE TIME FOR OCEAN SCIENCE

A N D A C T I O N I S N O W.
 MISSION

Founded in 2013 as a non-profit organization, Beneath the Waves is

dedicated to promoting ocean health and using science to catalyze ocean
policy, with a focus on shark conservation and marine protected areas.

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A REFRESHED
BRAND

In May 2020, Beneath the Waves went through a strategic

relaunch of the brand. This was to present a bolder,
stronger and more inclusive experience for the team and
those the organizations it aligns with. The goal of the
refresh was to ensure the brand communicated a mindset
and commitment to forming long-term partnerships in
and out of the ocean conservation and science spaces.

Beneath the Waves focuses on doing the science that is

needed to collectively protect our ocean and its inhabitants.
And over time, the company’s efforts have evolved to focus
on marine protected areas and conservation hotspots. As the
brand has evolved, Beneath the Waves has become much more
than a science-based NGO—it’s a platform. A platform for

“
career development, technology, research, media, educational
and partnership opportunities.

“
Our relaunch marks a commitment
among those on our team. It
represents taking risks, being a
bolder brand, sharing a stronger
message, and providing a more
inclusive concept.

- Dr. Austin Gallagher

(CEO & Chief Scientist)

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 APPROACH

Beneath the Waves is comprised of a core team of professional researchers and scientists
who build, sustain and scale applied marine research projects centered around at-risk species
and threatened habitats.

This core team is supported by a network of policy partners, internal and external creative
experts, entrepreneurs and strategic and scientific advisors to help optimize the
efficacy and impact of all work.

Beneath the Waves partners with national leaders, local governments, business leaders and
various stakeholder communities to inspire change for our ocean.

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 BY THE NUMBERS

27 80

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OUR GOAL
F O R I M PA C T

Beneath the Waves will be successful

if the following is accomplished on behalf of the
species and regions in which we work:

• Increased establishment of marine protected

areas and reserves
• Sustaining and strengthening of existing
protected areas
• Improved conservation status and sustainable
management of marine resources
• Increased production of science to accelerate
discovery in our oceans

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THERE ARE NEW OPPORTUNITIES
TO RESTORE ABUNDANCE TO OUR
OCEAN, TOGETHER.
 OCEANS AND THE
T H R E AT S T H E Y FA C E
WHY PROTECT
THE OCEANS

The health of the ocean is now at a critical

tipping point due to decades of overexploitation
of its resources, pollution of its waterways and
zones, and the increasing level of stress from
warming oceans.

In spite of these cumulative threats, we still have

an opportunity to restore the ocean and all of the
benefits it provides to humans—such as global
food security, oxygen production and carbon
storage, climate regulation and the
blue economy.

Science is needed to underpin the

sustainable management of the
ocean we want: abundant, clean
and healthy.
The global movement for the ocean has
never been stronger, and the United
Nations has determined the next decade
(2021 – 2030) as the “Decade for Ocean
Science.” This is where we will see an
unprecedented integration of science to
achieve conservation targets worldwide.

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A COMMITMENT
TO DIVERSITY

Now, more than ever, we are seeing the

importance of ocean conservation. And, we
are seeing an increase in those interested in
getting involved. Across age, sex, location,
race, orientation, profession, etc., we are
seeing individuals committing their lives to
safeguarding our ocean in hopes to create a
better future for the generations to come.

This movement has many leaders,

different perspectives and
impact efforts.
The Beneath the Waves team is focused on
bringing the right partners into our impact
experience so that they can reach their
sustainability goals and create something
we are all proud of. Our goal is to bring
more great minds into the overall ocean
conservation effort—working together and
creating a better tomorrow. This will allow us
to restore abundance to our ocean in
our lifetime.

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O U R I N I T I AT I V E S
 OV E RV I E W

Marine Protected Areas: There is strong international interest to

create marine protected areas in our oceans, underscored by initiatives
to protect the waters of remote island nations, the high seas and
establishing targets to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030.

Threatened Species: Sharks and other highly migratory marine

species are some of the most threatened on our planet, due to decades of
overfishing happening at the global scale. It has been estimated that up to
100 million sharks are killed every year for their fins.

Deep Sea Conservation: The deep-sea is our Earth’s largest

ecosystem, and our planet’s final frontier for research and discovery.
Our deep oceans contain the greatest fish biomass on our planet, and it
can pull up to 30% of atmospheric carbon into the seafloor.

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 MA R I N E
PROTECTED
AREAS

We are working with local governments and NGOs in the

Caribbean, to accelerate the creation of marine protected
areas for highly migratory species. This work involves a
combination of independent, long-term monitoring and
rapid assessment led by our core team, as well as expert
consultation with local decision-makers and coalitions, and
collaboration with regional partners on the ground. This
work is focused in The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Grand
Cayman, St Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius, Aruba, Bonaire
and Curaçao.

To determine the scale of residency and habitat use for

mobile species such as sharks, one tool we leverage is
acoustic telemetry and passive monitoring. Other tools may
be used, including the use of remote camera systems to
estimate shark, ray, grouper, threatened species abundance
and residency. Expansion to new locations began in 2020.

This project will drive impact in the

following ways:

• Increased establishment of new marine protected

areas and reserves in the countries where we are working
• Sustaining and strengthening of existing protected areas
• Data is used to buttress marine protected area legislation

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 MA R I N E P R O T E CT E D A R E A S
WHERE WE WORK

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 T H R E AT E N E D
SPECIES

Science is needed to create the evidence for new shark

protections worldwide. Yet, despite our fascination with these
charismatic species, our understanding of the scale of their
movements, how they use the ocean and how they overlap
with fishing activity remains a critical knowledge gap that is
precluding conservation action.

Beneath the Waves is using technology to better understand

the survival risks facing highly migratory species like sharks,
with a focus on open-ocean species commonly encountered
by commercial fishing. Satellite telemetry is used to map shark
movements both horizontally and vertically, as well as to examine
linkages between national jurisdictions. This information is
integrated with data from fishing boats to quantify overlap.

This project will drive impact in the

following ways:
• Establishment of international trade restrictions and
treaties to benefit sharks
• Feeding of empirical data into plans to reduce overfishing
for sharks
• Threat assessments for focal species are lessened
(recovery), or they are elevated to raise new awareness to risk
• Filling critical knowledge gaps for at-risk species

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 DEEP SEA
C O N S E R VAT I O N

Deep-sea environments still remain largely unexplored, poorly

understood and have few conservation measures in place. Failing
to categorize deep-sea biodiversity could result in countless areas
and species continuing to fall through the cracks of fragmented
ocean governance.

Beneath the Waves is using a suite of non-invasive monitoring tools

to collaboratively address the data deficit in the deep ocean, in
primary sampling locations throughout the Northern Atlantic and
Caribbean Sea, as well as campaign-based work in the Pacific Oceans.

Rapid biodiversity sampling is employed to generate proxy-

based evidence for how ecologically-important species are
distributed on shelf habitats from 200 – 1,000 meters, as well as
in deeper abyssal zones. Tools include deep-sea drop camera rigs,
environmental DNA, submersibles and remote-operated vehicles.

This project will drive impact in the

following ways:
• Marine reserves are extended to include deep-sea habitats
in the areas we work
• Harmful commercial and industrial activities are prohibited
in described hotspots
• Overfishing of deep-sea fishes is reduced through
improved management
• New data on species occurrence and behavior are discovered

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 O T H E R I M PA C T
PROGRAMS

Marine Protected Area Legislation:

Consultation with or commissioned by 10 Caribbean nations
and local governments interested in creating marine
protected areas to protect threatened species such as
sharks, rays and groupers.

Threatened Species Conservation:

Assisted with the successful establishment of conservation
and management policies for numerous 8 shark species on
Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species
(CITES), Endangered Species Act (ESA) and local agencies.

Scientific Output: Published extensively within the

scientific literature, including in leading journals Science,
Nature and Marine Policy. 50 peer-reviewed scientific
papers published since 2015.

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O U R T E A M & PA R T N E R S
MEET THE TEAM:
DR. AUSTIN GALLAGHER

Dr. Austin Gallagher is the Chief

Executive and lead scientist at Beneath
the Waves.
As a leading marine conservation biologist and world authority
on sharks, Dr. Austin Gallagher has studied and advocated for
highly migratory and at-risk species around the world. He has
led 30 scientific expeditions and has worked at the national and
international level to prompt and inform ocean policy, and has
played a direct role in creating large (> 100,000 sq. km) marine
protected areas throughout the Caribbean. Dr. Gallagher is an
expert in marine animal behavior and physiology, and he has
published over 80 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including in
leading journals including Science, Nature and Marine Policy.

Dr. Gallagher’s approach combines cutting-edge research,

private sector collaboration, local engagement and media to
create effective partnerships. He is a National Geographic
Explorer, Fellow with The Explorers Club, Fulbright Scholar,
and Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University (USA) and
University of Exeter (UK). He has traveled around the world to
speak about sharks on a global stage.

Other accomplishments include being a regular feature on

Discovery Channel’s Shark Week; sitting on the Editorial Board
of the scientific journal Endangered Species Research; serving
as an advisor to governments, international organizations,
media productions and for companies interested in
sustainability; and being the first ever marine biologist to be
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recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 (2016).
 MEET THE TEAM:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rosemary Mann Wendy Benchley Jeffrey Pankey

Director Director Director

Malik Adunni Steve Feron Jeff King

Director Director Director

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 MEET THE TEAM:
ADVISORS

Rashid Sumaila, PhD Diva Amon, PhD Carlos Duarte, PhD Tadzio Bervoets James Sternlicht
Advisor Advisor Advisor Advisor Advisor

Kristin Hettermann Felipe Deandrade Jason Halvorsen Jeff Todd Tony Gilbert
Advisor Advisor Advisor Advisor Advisor

Keith Myrick, MD Don Donovan Daniel Hettwer Joe Romeiro

Advisor Advisor Advisor Advisor

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 MEET THE TEAM:
R E S E A R C H A S S O C I AT E S & M A R K E T I N G

R E S E A R C H A S S O C I AT E S

Dr. Camrin Braun Judith Bakker, PhD Oliver Shipley, PhD Brendan Shea, MSc Christine De Silva
Research Associate Research Associate Research Associate Research Associate Research Associate

S T R AT E G Y & M A R K E T I N G

Andi Cross Sami Kattan Jamie Fitzgerald

Strategy Director Content Director Marketing & Communications
Manager

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 MEET THE CREW

For those passionate about the ocean & want to engage in the conservation
discussion daily.

In August 2020, we launched a new program called The Crew that was conceptualized during the
Covid-19 lockdown. It’s a social network and membership group focused on inspiration, inclusion and
education for ocean lovers. We discuss threats to the ocean and ways we can protect it, leveraging
our unique skills, strengths and experiences to guide us. We offer a platform where aspiring scientists
and nonscientists can join the discussion, while finding ways of contributing that work with their life,
profession, goals and time.

• 300+ members on the platform at launch

• Weekly programming featuring leaders in ocean conservation
• Mentorship programs that are one-on-one and customized
• A 24/7 live focus group including people all over the world
• Ages ranging between 18-55 “
“
We have always believed that being a custodian of the oceans doesn’t require a Ph.D. It
requires a wide variety of skills, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come to
the table and work together around a shared mission. We want to let people know that
there are options for them right at their fingertips.”

- Andi Cross
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 M E E T O U R PA R T N E R S
F O U N D AT I O N S

Wanderlust Fund Saad Hillsdale Trust De Silva Family Foundation

King Family Trust Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors The Angel Foundation
Miller Family Trust Mary O’Malley and Lupo Dion Trust WCPD Foundation
Sternlicht Family Foundation Karo Family Trust The Volgenau Foundation

GRANTS

C O R P O R AT E S P O N S O R S

O P E R AT I O N A L PA R T N E R S

K E Y I N S T I T U T I O N A L PA R T N E R S

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 M E D IA

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 C O N TA C T

D r. Au s t i n G a l l a g h e r Andi Cross Jamie Fitzgerald

CEO Strategy Director Communications
Manager

austin@beneaththewaves.org andi@beneaththewaves.org jamie@beneaththewaves.org

T HA N K YO U