Oceans Connect is a non-profit organization whose place-based mission is to promote understanding and protection of Georgia’s Continental Shelf and Blake Plateau. To achieve our mission we focus on strengthening our human connections with oceans through creative communications, exploration, discovery, education, and dialogue.

We believe that building a powerful and interconnected ocean science and conservation community should center cultural and biological diversity alongside cutting-edge science and innovative technologies. In working together to address the most pressing problems facing our blue planet we center respect for all life and human dignity. Protecting our oceans will require us to act simultaneously at local, place-based scales and global scales. The local scale we are working at focuses on

Georgia’s Continental Shelf & Blake Plateau

Continental shelves make up just 8% of the ocean’s geology, yet play an immensely important role in its health: the shallow waters of a continental shelf absorb more sunlight than the rest of the ocean, allowing for a rich and healthy marine ecosystem to thrive. In particular, the shelf hugging the State of Georgia is wider than any other area along the Atlantic Coast (more than 80 miles wide), making it a critical engine for ocean productivity in the Western Atlantic.

Ocean Biodiversity

Part of what makes the continental shelf and the deeper Blake Plateau so special is that these waters are home to highly migratory endangered and threatened species like the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), as well as deep-water corals, sponges, crabs, and fish species that remain poorly understood by scientists.

Learn More

Georgia Hope Spot Story Map

Protected Seas Navigator

2022 Events

Proposed Modifications to Right Whale Speed Rule : NOAA Fisheries announced proposed changes to the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) vessel speed rule to further reduce the likelihood of mortalities and serious injuries to endangered right whales from vessel collisions. NOAA Fisheries is accepting public comment on the proposed rule until October 31, 2022. More information on the submission process can be found in the Federal Register notice.

2022-2024 Projects

Connecting local communities to marine ecosystems for human and ocean well-being.
Promoting recovery of the North Atlantic Right Whale and prioritizing protection of their nursery grounds.
Facilitating dialogue & deliberation on marine conservation area planning and management.
Catalyzing innovative, adaptive approaches to sea level rise and ocean acidification.