Flora & Fauna International (FFI)

As the world’s oldest international wildlife conservation organisation, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has built a reputation for its pioneering work and science-based approach to conservation. It responds quickly to new challenges and opportunities as they arise, and do not shy away from difficult environments and situations when it is clear that we can make a real difference. Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has had one eye on marine conservation for much of its history. It has been urging greater protection for whales and other marine mammals as long ago as 1913, demanding government action on oil pollution in 1933, highlighting the plight of sea turtles as early as the 1960s and supporting research on the exploitation of coral reef fishes in the 1980s.

In 2011, with the support of a generous grant from Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin – FFI officially established a marine programme to provide a formal framework for our ongoing efforts to address the growing threats to the world’s oceans. Building on FFI’s existing areas of expertise, FFI marine strategy is designed to safeguard species, habitats and livelihoods through effective protection and management of marine ecosystems; encourage more enlightened policy and practice; and ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation measures by developing a network of strong organisations to take forward marine conservation in their own countries. In keeping with our tried-and-tested approach to habitat protection and conservation in general, FFI places particular emphasis on empowering local – in this case, coastal – communities to be the custodians of the marine resources on which they depend. While recognising the importance of international processes, FFI is committed to harnessing local and national support for marine conservation, investing in grass-roots activities driven by the very people whose future is most at stake.