OceanExchange.org has a new monetary award of $100,000 USD to be given to one early stage company with a solution for sustainable oceans.
The Neptune Award of $100,000 USD will be granted through a competitive process to a start up company (either profit or not-for-profit) that meets the following definition and has at least a working prototype. Typical start up definition is: pre-revenue and funded today by grants or friends/family money. We will show some flexibility however for a globally scalable, transformative solution. The applications are examined by a team of experts who select finalists who are invited to present in Savannah, Ga October 8-10, 2017 at the Ocean Exchange event. Expert delegates at the event will vote who receives the $100,000 Neptune Award. The award is funded by Gulfstream (General Dynamics), the Littlejohn Family Foundation, and other corporate and family sponsors.
Neptune Award Definition:
Given to the solution that advances our understanding of the ocean and that helps minimize our impact on these resources, even while using them for human benefit, resulting in more resilient bodies of water, including healthy marine life and coastlines.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
October 2017
