Ocean 14 Capital

Our latest featured article focuses on the 600,000-800,000 metric tons of fishing equipment that is discarded in the ocean and how a novel use of AI represents a quantum leap in the ability to clean up ocean plastic pollution. Read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/eQaR4hA2. February’s Stat of the Month (see infographic below) relates to satellite data revealing that global sea-ice levels have hit an all-time low, with Arctic and Antarctic ice shrinking at unprecedented rates. The loss of sea-ice reduces the planet’s albedo – its ability to reflect sunlight. This process accelerates global warming given that more UV remains on the Earth's surface. Experts attribute the decline to rising ocean and air temperatures, as well as wind-driven ice breakup. Antarctic sea-ice, once considered resilient, now shows signs of long-term change. Scientists warn that continued ice loss could disrupt ocean currents and intensify climate impacts. Highlights from our 4 key themes: Sustainability: Kelp forests are vital ecosystems that support marine biodiversity and provide climate resilience, yet they are rapidly declining. A recent study found that only 15.9% of the world’s kelp forests are in protected areas, with just 1.6% under high protection. Major threats include climate change, overfishing and unchecked sea urchin populations. Aquaculture: UK-based start-up Rare Earth Global has secured £1m in pre-seed funding to advance hemp-based aquafeed production. The company identified hemp as a viable alternative to soy due to its rapid growth, low input needs and reduced carbon footprint. Partnering with salmon producer Mowi, studies confirmed hemp’s performance in fish feed. Carbon Capture:  The UK government has announced measures to unlock 16 GW of offshore wind capacity and plans have been outlined to enable the designation of Marine Protected Areas funded by developers. A Marine Recovery Fund will also be established to coordinate environmental mitigation across multiple projects. It is expected to attract £30bn in clean energy investment while balancing offshore wind expansion with marine conservation. Technology:  The EU has awarded NOK90m ($8m) to the STEESMAT project, which aims to develop an innovative power distribution system for zero-emission ships. Led by Norway’s Maritime CleanTech, 13 European partners will collaborate on a medium voltage direct current system to replace conventional AC systems. The new technology will enhance energy efficiency, integrate renewable sources and reduce emissions by up to 40%. To read more on the four key themes, join the mailing list by emailing us at contact@ocean14capital.com. #ghostnets #plasticpollution #wwf #Marineconservation #bluefinance #climatechange #sdg14 #oceanfinance #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #sustainability #oceansustainability #aquaculture #carboncapture #technology

Blue Marine is thrilled to be celebrating its fifteenth year of working to protect the ocean. 🎊    We would like to thank all our partners, past and present who have been instrumental in helping us tackle overfishing and deliver our mission to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.        Working together, we can create a lasting legacy and make a meaningful impact on global ocean protection.       Here’s to the next fifteen! 🌊 #OceanConservation #MarineProtection #30x30 #GenerationRestoration #Overfishing

The Economist Impact's Back to Blue initiative's report "Investing in a Pollution-Free Ocean" has just been launched at the World Ocean Conference. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute some insights from our Making Oceans Count program. While the report emphasises the great proportion of land-based sources of #oceanpollution, ocean-based sources, such as shipping, offshore energy and exploration, etc. are not to be underestimated either. Moreover, given the complex nature of marine ecosystems, our still limited understanding and overview of the oceans, there needs to be significant increase of funding for the gathering, analysis, and promotion of #oceandata. This data is still often siloed, less regulated, and even less translated into clear actionable data that governments and industry can work with. #oceans #data #bluefinance #oneocean Jessica Brown Charles Goddard The Nippon Foundation Green Digital Finance Alliance Jannika Aalto Razgar Ebrahimy François Gardin Florian Kemmerich Nicholas C. Niggli Antoinette Vermilye (she/her) Nick Wise Kristjan Jespersen Tom Redd Kimberly Mathisen Suzanne Johnson Charlotte B Mogensen Marianne Haahr Katherine Foster Diana Denke Ram Ganesh Kamatham Mary S. Wisz Wei Ng Torsten Thiele Pierre CG ROUSSEAU Romain Ciarlet ReOcean Fund Ocean 14 Capital Max Gottschalk UN Ocean Decade Pier Luigi Buttigieg

A few shots of Chris Gorell Barnes sharing his thoughts on how to achieve a sustainable and equitable transition at the 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo in Tokyo earlier today. The blue economy session, which included expert views by Torsten Thiele, Founder, Global Ocean Trust, Daniela V. Fernandez, Founder and chief executive, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Lucy Holmes Senior director, blue finance, WWF, was moderated by Daniel Franklin, Executive editor and senior editor, Britain, The Economist. For more on the panellists and the two day agenda, click here https://lnkd.in/gDhFWKa #blueeconomy #wos2025 #WorldOceanSummit #sdg14

Chris Gorell Barnes will be speaking at the 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo. The event is taking place on March 12th-13th 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. Ahead of the event, on the 11th Chris will be the Keynote Speaker at The Executive Circle: Blue Economy Private Roundtable Dinner. On the 12th at the event itself, Chris will be on a panel moderated by Daniel Franklin, Executive editor and senior editor, Britain, The Economist and titled The Blue Economy: Achieving a sustainable, equitable transition. He will be joined by Torsten Thiele, Founder, Global Ocean Trust, Daniela V. Fernandez Founder and chief executive, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Lucy Holmes Senior director, blue finance, WWF. Later in the day he will also be speaking on a panel about Financing Ocean Restoration moderated by Jonathan Birdwell, Head of policy and insights, Economist Impact. Chris will be joined by Sarah Champion, Chair, international development committee, UK House of Commons, Sonali Siriwardena, Partner and global head of ESG, Simmons & Simmons, Pushkala Ratan, Asia lead, climate finance and global lead, blue finance, IFC - International Finance Corporation and Will Oulton, Senior adviser, MUFG Asset Management (UK). #wos #impacteconomist #oceans #blueeconomy #sdg14 #privateequity

Exciting news! Now, after seven decades of filming and exploring the natural world, Sir David Attenborough delivers his greatest message of hope in OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, a spectacular new documentary premiering globally in cinemas on May 8, Sir David's 99th birthday. Countries include the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and South Africa, with additional countries still to be announced, and will be premiere on National Geographic TV and stream on Disney+ in June.   Dynamic Planet is thrilled to have partnered with SILVERBACK FILMS, Open Planet Studios, Altitude Media Group, All3Media, National Geographic, Minderoo Pictures (Minderoo Foundation), 10 Percent For the Ocean 🌊, Don Quixote Foundation, National Geographic Society & Pristine Seas, and Fondazione Principe Alberto II di Monaco, on this amazing film. Through breathtaking cinematography, the film takes us into the heart of our ocean’s beauty and complexity—coral reefs, kelp forests, the vast open sea—while revealing the stark realities of destructive fishing practices, climate change, and biodiversity loss. But this is not a story of despair; it is one of optimism. Attenborough shares groundbreaking discoveries and inspirational solutions from around the world, reminding us that the ocean can recover beyond anything we have ever seen—if we take action now.    The ocean holds the key to our planet’s stability, resilience, and future prosperity. Let’s be inspired, informed, and most importantly—mobilized to protect 30% of our ocean by 2030. #ReviveOurOcean #OceanWithDavidAttenborough #HopeForOurPlanet #30x30   Image Credits: Ocean With David Attenborough – Keith Scholey © Silverback Films & Open Planet Studios

Chris Gorell Barnes will be speaking at PEI's Responsible Investment Forum panel in New York today at 15:35. Titled Impact, climate & transition investing: fundraising in a competitive space, the panel will be moderated by Chris Cote, Executive Director, MSCI Inc. Research. Chris will be joined by Christina Anzel, Director, Generation Investment Management, Fabio Ranghino, Partner, Head of Sustainability & Strategy, Ambienta, and Sandra Kartt, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, ImpactAssets Capital Partners. The panellists will cover: how to standing out in a crowded market; demonstrating tangible value creation; and will weigh the benefits and trade-offs of adopting a single-focus versus a broader impact strategy. #privateequity #impactinvesting #sdg14 #fundraising #assetraising #climatechange #energytransition

"The ocean is so important for planetary health. And it still does not have a big enough voice. Not at Davos, not at COP [United Nations' international meetings focusing on climate, Conference of the Parties]," said Chris Gorell Barnes, co-founder Ocean 14 Capital speaking to IntraFish Media. Despite noting that interest in blue financing has been growing the last few years, and lots of conversations around the blue economy were held at Davos this year, he added "[The ocean] needs a bigger voice, and fast actions”. #blueeconomy #sdg14 #ocean #bluefoods #impactinvesting #privateequity

Our latest featured article focuses on how ocean conservation, blue finance, and marine biodiversity were central on the Ocean Action agenda at Davos this year. Read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/eMGa85PU January's month's Stat of the Month (see infographic below) relates to the capital raised by aquaculture start-ups in 2024 the highest proportion of funding went to next generation farming, securing 48% of the total ($295 million). Global aquaculture investment fell by 28% in 2024, with startups raising $619m compared to $854m the previous year. Despite the decline, 70 deals were made, reflecting sustained investor interest. Next-generation farming led venture funding, securing 48% of total capital ($295m), followed by nutrition ($144m) and regenerative aquaculture ($48m). Investment in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) doubled to $250m, while seaweed farming attracted $46m. The aquafeed sector saw record growth, with global governments backing genetically modified omega-3 crops. Looking ahead, geopolitical shifts and trade restrictions could impact supply chains in 2025. Highlights from our 4 key themes: Sustainability: Indonesia is strengthening its marine conservation efforts, aiming to protect 10% of its marine territory –30 million ha – by 2030 and expand it to 30% –97.5 million ha – by 2045. The country currently safeguards 29.9 million ha, including 1.1 million ha of coral reefs, 84,000 ha of mangroves and 150,000 ha of seagrass ecosystems. Aquaculture: Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has partnered with Meizhou Hongxi Technology Industry Co. to launch a CNY500m ($70m) vertically integrated fish farm in Guangdong, China. The Jingdong Intelligent Fishery Industry Park aims to produce 5,000 mt of mandarin fish in 2025, valued at CNY430m, with projected profits of CNY140m. Carbon Capture: Belfast Harbour has announced a £90m ($112m) port upgrade to accommodate a surge in offshore wind energy projects and cruise ships, as part of a £300m investment plan. A new deepwater quay will be constructed to support wind farm installations, with 30 planned offshore wind projects within a 200 km range expected to generate over 30 GW of capacity, enough to power 20 million homes. Technology: The UN has officially endorsed Ava Ocean’s Ocean Green project, recognising its efforts to restore Norwegian kelp forests under the Marine Life 2030 action stream. Over 80% of Norway’s kelp forests have been destroyed in the past decade due to climate change and overfishing of urchin predators. To read more on Stat of the Month, and the four other articles, join the mailing list by emailing us at contact@ocean14capital.com.   #davos2025 #wef #BackBlue #Marineconservation #bluefinance #climatechange #sdg14 #oceanfinance #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #sustainability #oceansustainability #aquaculture #carboncapture #technology 

An absolute must-read for anyone interested in how the ocean is essential in the climate discussion and how it fits into investment portfolios as a bond or equity. Thank you for including Ocean 14 Capital. #blueeconomy #oceans #climatechange #sdg14