Announcing the 17 finalists of The Ocean Awards 2017

The finalists of The Ocean Awards have been revealed. Click through to see the finalists, with details of the category below.

Visionary Award finalists:

Steve McIvor, Global Ghost Gear Initiative

Louis Bacon, Bacon Foundation

Stuart Beck, United Nations

About the Visionary Award

The Visionary Award recognises the individual or group that have taken the lead on globally-significant actions for the benefit of ocean health. The winner of the Visionary Award will have shown consistent leadership on ocean issues, going above and beyond others in their commitment to protecting marine life.

**Criteria: **Nominees for the Visionary Award must have a demonstrable track record of leadership on marine issues. They must either have initiated or taken a lead in influencing a globally-significant effort for the benefit of the ocean, or seen a significant milestone in a previously initiated effort, within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016.

Local Hero finalists:

T. A. Pugalarasan, TREE Foundation

Dennis Bryan Bait-It, Daanbantayan Bantay Dagat Task Force (Migo Sa Iho)/ Project Sharklink, Inc.

About the Local Hero Award

The Local Hero Award recognises the individual or group that has had the most positive impact on the marine environment within their community this year. The winner of the Local Hero Award will be a recognised leader on marine conservation issues within their community or organisation.

**Criteria: **Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Local Hero Award must either have initiated or taken a lead in influencing a significant effort for the benefit of the ocean within their community, or seen a significant milestone in a previously initiated effort.

Science Award finalists:

Daniel Pauly & Dirk Zeller, Sea Around Us, the University of British Columbia

Dr. Erik van Sebille, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London

About the Science Award

The Science Award recognises the individual or research team that has made the most important scientific contribution to the ocean this year.

Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Science Award must have published a significant piece of scientific research that can be used for the benefit of marine conservation or ocean health.

Policy Award finalists:

Stiv Wilson, The Story of Stuff Project

Claire Nouvian, BLOOM 

About the Policy Award

The Policy Award recognises an individual or group that has been responsible for the most important policy initiative for the benefit of ocean health this year.

Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Policy Award must have been responsible for initiating or implementing a policy initiative, or have reached another significant milestone in that process. This policy must have had, or be very likely to have, a transformative effect on the ability of governments or local bodies to protect the oceans.

Innovation Award finalists:

Amado Blanco, ZSL-Philippines

Maria Damanaki, The Nature Conservancy

About the Innovation Award

The Innovation Award recognises an individual or group that has been responsible for the development of the most promising new innovation  for the benefit of the marine environment this year.

Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Innovation Award must have taken a lead on the initiation or completion of one or more new innovation for the benefit of the ocean, or seen another significant milestone towards the development of that innovation.

Responsible Business Award finalists:

Alex Olsen, Industry Group Agreement to Cod fishery in the northern part of North-East Atlantic

Marteyne van Well, Six Senses Laamu 

About the Responsible Business Award

The Responsible Business Award recognises the company or group of companies that have done the most to ensure that their business operations are not undertaken at the expense of the marine environment.

Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Responsible Business Award must have undertaken activities or commitments that will have a positive impact on the health of the marine environment, or have seen another significant milestone towards that goal. This activity or commitment must have been undertaken primarily to benefit the ocean, rather than the company’s bottom line.

Public Education Award finalists:

Ian Urbina, New York Times

The Climate Council 

About the Public Education Award

The Public Education Award recognises the individual or group that has done the most this year to advance public understanding of marine conservation issues, be it through the mainstream media, in schools, or through campaigning.

Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Public Education Award must have initiated activities that have had a demonstrable impact on the public understanding of an important ocean issue (or issues), or seen a significant milestone in a previously implemented activity.

Seafarers' Award finalists:

Fishing for Litter, KIMO International 

Ben Ainslie Racing Ltd (Land Rover BAR)

About the Seafarer's Award

The Seafarers' Award recognises the individual or group from the sea-faring community that has done the most this year to advance marine conservation.

Criteria: Within the period July 1 2015 to July 1 2016 nominees for the Seafarers' Award must have undertaken efforts to advance marine conservation, be it through awareness-raising, fundraising, direct conservation activities, or any other means. These efforts and the nominees themselves must have demonstrable ties to the sea or an ocean-related business.