Advancing Leadership in Ocean Stewardship and Security
An ICCF Group Initiative in partnership with WWF’s Oceans Futures Program, to study and recommend strategic shifts for U.S. leadership at the intersection of national security and the marine environment to safeguard America’s interests.
Our Purpose
By renewing maritime leadership, strengthening alliances, and mobilizing public-private coalitions, America can secure peace, bolster prosperity, and buttress resilience for generations to come.
Forward-thinking and well-managed ocean governance has been, and remains, an essential pillar of the United States’ prosperity, security, and global influence. Overexploitation, environmental degradation, insufficient governance, and illegal activities create risks of conflict, fuel organized crime, and threaten American economic competitiveness.
We must ensure that ocean health remains a geopolitical and national security priority.
Peace and stability
Fish is the world’s most traded food commodity and a vital source of jobs and nutrition. America’s rivals are using distant-water fleets, subsidies, and illicit networks to dominate seafood supply chains, and dwindling stocks and destructive practices are driving competition and conflict, especially in regions critical to U.S. interests such as the IndoPacific, the Arctic, and Latin America.
Homeland security
Transnational criminal organizations are exploiting seafood as a lucrative, low-risk domain, which undermines rule of law, international relations, and maritime security. IUU fishing is also intertwined with drug trafficking, forced labor, arms smuggling, and other transnational crimes. Almost one-third of seafood consumed in the U.S. is linked to IUU fishing, undercutting U.S. fishers and domestic seafood markets, and strengthening criminal networks.
In PictureU.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Co-Chair of the U.S. Congressional Oceans Caucus
Prosperity
The blue economy supports millions of jobs and generates trillions in economic value. Every $1 invested in sustainable ocean management yields $5 in benefits, underscoring the financial case for action. An unhealthy ocean threatens the future of America’s blue economy, placing $8.4 trillion in revenues and assets at risk without stronger governance and management.
More about Our Flagship Initiatives
The ICCF Group’s flagship initiatives advance global stability, U.S. interests, and partner nations’ ability to steward the natural systems that underpin economic resilience and security.
Our Initiatives
Building a Modern Financial Architecture for International Conservation
The ICCF Group is helping shape a new financial architecture for international conservation.
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Strengthening Africa’s Parks and Strategic Landscapes
We help create conditions for security, prosperity, and long‑term stewardship of some of the continent’s most important landscapes.
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Delivering Stability and Strong Governance in the Amazon Basin
Working with our partners, we support Amazon nations close critical governance, policy, and financing gaps.
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