America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project Mission

The America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project is the embodiment of the America’s Cup commitment to leave a positive social and environmental legacy for the benefit of future generations. Driven by its commitment to have the 34th America’s Cup be “more than a sport,” the America’s Cup Event Authority has set an ambitious goal with the AC Healthy Ocean Project to develop the world’s largest communication outreach program focused on three core issues to improve ocean health—Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Seafood and Marine Debris/Plastics. Find out how you can make a difference by taking part in America’s Cup Health Ocean Project Pledge.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Know your MPAs – Support California MPAs through increased public awareness and understanding of MPAs generally, and more specifically the network of MPAs that have been established pursuant to the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA).

Sustainable Seafood
Ask for ocean-friendly food - Encourage market demand for ocean-friendly seafood at restaurants and food stores through increased public awareness and understanding of what sustainable seafood means and how to find it.

Ocean Trash and Plastics
Keep Trash Out of the Ocean – Reduce trash in the ocean by increasing public awareness and understanding of this vast problem—particularly how single-use plastic trash negatively affects the environment, the economy and the people of our region and our planet.

Brian Baird, Advisor to the Aquarium of the Bay and The Bay Institute, is working with the America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project Local Advisory Board to promote actions that make a difference.  Mr. Baird was formerly the Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy for the State of California.

“Protecting our bay, coast and ocean resources is not only critical for the environment, but also for a thriving ocean and Bay Area economy ” he says. “I’m delighted to work with the Bay Institute, the Aquarium, the America’s Cup Event Authority, and many other partners to fight for the health of our ocean. I believe we can make a difference.”

America's Cup Local Advisory Board member organizations:

• Aquarium of the Bay
• Gulf of the Farallon National Marine Sanctuaries
• Mission Blue, Sylvia Earle Alliance
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Save the Bay
• The Marine Mammal Cencer