Welcome to WiseOceans!
We are a global provider of marine education and conservation services. We believe that education is a key driver to long-term behavioural change, empowerment and action for our oceans and we are on a mission to help build a world where marine conservation is in action at all levels through an engaged, educated and inspired global community leading to healthy, thriving marine environments. The ocean is for all, and we all have a responsibility!
Where did our story begin?
WiseOceans’ founder Abbie grew up by the sea and just always knew her career would be in conservation.
Being more practical than academic, she undertook many opportunities to gain practical experience, including taking a gap year to Australia where she learnt to dive. She then conducted a research project in Fiji before obtaining her masters. Whilst job searching, she realised a website that promoted jobs in the specific sector of (marine) conservation simply did not exist! That is where the idea of WiseOceans Careers originated.
Whilst undertaking roles as a Marine Biologist and Educator, she quickly realised the importance of Education in conservation. Whilst completing work in Seychelles, she combined these interests and brainstormed ideas for companies to address them. These initiatives would then become WiseOceans Careers (as mentioned) and WiseOceans Academy. Also whilst in Seychelles, she was asked if she could provide services on site. Realising that of course she could do this herself, but that she could also
hire people for this role. Consequently, WiseOceans Discovery was created to fulfil this need. And so, the entirety of WiseOceans’ services came together!
What challenges did we face?
‘I didn’t know what I was doing’ explains Abbie. With no prior knowledge of running a business, and the sector of (marine) conservation yet to recognised as ‘valuable’ – she struggled to impart the importance of the natural world and local environment to many key stakeholders. However, she was not perturbed! Seeking counsel, and dedicating both her time, and resources, she was committed to ensuring WiseOceans Discovery’s success through partnerships with likeminded individuals, and organisations.
What are our highlights?
The most defining moment recently was our ability as a company to withstand the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an incredibly difficult time for us, like many other organisations, and of course, people worldwide. However, it led to us investing in WiseOceans Academy further, which saw us boost this department, and several years later, expand the team. It also reminded us of the importance of staying connected in the remote-world, and gave us time to get together to create a vision of where we wanted WiseOceans to go in the future.
In addition, each new client is a highlight for us! Over a decade later, Abbie explains how exciting it is to find a new partner, who is equally passionate as ourselves. Especially when such partnerships lead to amazing achievements. In 2024 for example, we surpassed our coral planting target! And in 2025, we officially launched our first programme in Asia.
What’s next for WiseOceans?
We are set on world domination! Since incorporating in Seychelles, Abbie has always wanted to expand to (almost) every continent. But, whilst company growth is the goal – we want to ensure that we stay true to our values, and maintain a positive company culture. To become leaders in the intersecting field of eco-tourism and marine science and conservation, we aim to enhance our science and conservation, led by our expert Science and Conservation Advisor. This year (2025) will see many a stronger focus on several projects, namely our coral reef restoration projects, as we aim to launch two new sites, and the announcement of our field research, which is focused on the production of biodegradable cable ties.
A Personal Note
I (Abbie) just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in WiseOceans’ journey – both past and present. I still find it amazing that people want to join a journey with a company I set up solely due to my own personal passions. I find running WiseOceans so rewarding, for so many reasons; seeing marine conservation in action, building relationships within the local communities in which we are based, our evolution as a company, and now I have children, ensuring we leave a world behind in which the next generations get to experience our beautiful natural world.
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