Green Ocean Foundation

The Green Ocean Foundation is a not‑for‑profit, community‑based organisation dedicated to tackling climate change through marine carbon sequestration and the restoration of biodiversity along the Irish coast. By managing and operating a range of marine environmental projects, the foundation works to rebuild lost habitats and improve water quality, delivering tangible climate benefits for both nature and people.

Its flagship initiatives include the re‑introduction of native oysters to Dublin Bay, where innovative “oyster gardening” suspends baskets from marina walkways to filter nutrients, support seagrass and seaweed growth, and create a living carbon sink. Following a successful first phase, the project will expand to 120 baskets across six sites in autumn 2024. In Clew Bay, the foundation prepares a thin layer of historic shell on the seabed each summer to encourage oyster larvae settlement, fostering reef development that underpins seagrass expansion and provides spawning shelter for fish. To date, 12 hectares have been restored, with 168 hectares remaining.

Green Ocean also runs hands‑on volunteer programmes, offering the public and local businesses the chance to maintain oyster baskets, monitor health, and learn about marine conservation. These community‑focused activities build awareness and invite sponsorship, ensuring a collaborative approach to safeguarding Ireland’s seas.