Ocean 14 Capital

Ocean 14 Capital attended the Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) in Amsterdam this month, where the team connected with existing and new stakeholders. The show was even bigger than last year, reflecting the commercial and environmental importance of the industry. Participants noted that the industry is under pressure for reasons including virgin plastic overcapacity in Asia and customers tightening their belts in a slower economy. However, technological innovations and incoming regulations relating to eliminating plastic waste exports from Europe and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) keep recyclers optimistic for the future. #circularity #plasticwaste #PRSE2025 #PlasticsRecycling #CircularPlastics #impactinvesting #sdg14 #privateequity #venturecapital

Our latest featured article focuses on the European Ocean Days 2025 event that highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to protect the ocean, enhance water management and boost the blue economy. European Water Resilience Strategy was a key topic addressing the escalating water stress. Read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/eRNYgTur. March’s Stat of the Month (see infographic below) relates to a new study that has identified waters with consistent power densities over 2,500 w/m2—2.5 times higher than top wind sites—making them idea for ocean current energy.  Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have conducted a comprehensive global study of ocean current energy potential using more than 43 million data points from NOAA’s Global Drifter Program. Southeast Florida and South Africa have emerged as prime locations for energy extraction. Notably, around 75% of high-energy areas fall within 500–1,000 watts per sqm, indicating broad potential beyond just the highest-density sites. Highlights from our 4 key themes: Sustainability: Antarctica’s melting ice could weaken the Antarctic Circumpolar Current by about 20% by 2050, affecting global weather, ocean life and climate stability. The decline is driven by fresh water from melting ice sheets disrupting the balance of temperature and salt in the Southern Ocean. This lighter surface water slows the current deep below, reducing how much heat and carbon the ocean can absorb. Aquaculture: UK Research and Innovation has launched a £12m sustainable aquaculture initiative that aims to enhance environmental sustainability, food resilience and livelihoods across south-east Asia. Funded through the UK’s International Science Partnership Fund, it supports projects in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Carbon Capture: A project in Texas could become the world’s first direct air capture (DAC) plant powered primarily by on-site wind energy. Announced by Return Carbon, Skytree and EDF Renewables, the facility aims to remove up to 500,000 mt of CO2 annually. Scheduled for 2028, it will use low-cost, behind-the-meter electricity to reduce operational costs. Technology: Global OTEC has announced plans to deploy the world’s largest onshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) demonstration plant, using seawater temperature gradients to produce up to 500 kW of continuous clean power. The OTEC Power Module aims to prove commercial viability across over 100 tropical and subtropical regions. It is designed for low-carbon offshore applications, reducing capital costs by up to 50%. To read more on the four key themes, join the mailing list by emailing us at contact@ocean14capital.com. #blueeconomy #bluefinance #climatechange #sdg14 #oceanfinance #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #sustainability #oceansustainability #aquaculture #carboncapture #technology

Max Holtzman joined the The Kingfish Company team at the Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America show in Boston. They had samples and chefs preparing the seafood in a number of different ways. The event was a success and the team were able to connect to several new contacts for distribution in the US. Max's presence helped to assist with some of the distributor connectivity and strengthening relationships. One common theme at the event as a whole was the tariffs and the uncertainty around them. Broader consensus was that it is more of a short term issue but likely noticeable in 2025. Despite impact of tariffs and potential recession on M&A, there still general bullishness on the seafood category in general, even if tariffs and a potential recession. #seafood #sena #aquaculture #impactinvesting #privateequity #sdg14

Our latest featured article focuses on the 600,000-800,000 metric tons of fishing equipment that is discarded in the ocean and how a novel use of AI represents a quantum leap in the ability to clean up ocean plastic pollution. Read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/eQaR4hA2. February’s Stat of the Month (see infographic below) relates to satellite data revealing that global sea-ice levels have hit an all-time low, with Arctic and Antarctic ice shrinking at unprecedented rates. The loss of sea-ice reduces the planet’s albedo – its ability to reflect sunlight. This process accelerates global warming given that more UV remains on the Earth's surface. Experts attribute the decline to rising ocean and air temperatures, as well as wind-driven ice breakup. Antarctic sea-ice, once considered resilient, now shows signs of long-term change. Scientists warn that continued ice loss could disrupt ocean currents and intensify climate impacts. Highlights from our 4 key themes: Sustainability: Kelp forests are vital ecosystems that support marine biodiversity and provide climate resilience, yet they are rapidly declining. A recent study found that only 15.9% of the world’s kelp forests are in protected areas, with just 1.6% under high protection. Major threats include climate change, overfishing and unchecked sea urchin populations. Aquaculture: UK-based start-up Rare Earth Global has secured £1m in pre-seed funding to advance hemp-based aquafeed production. The company identified hemp as a viable alternative to soy due to its rapid growth, low input needs and reduced carbon footprint. Partnering with salmon producer Mowi, studies confirmed hemp’s performance in fish feed. Carbon Capture:  The UK government has announced measures to unlock 16 GW of offshore wind capacity and plans have been outlined to enable the designation of Marine Protected Areas funded by developers. A Marine Recovery Fund will also be established to coordinate environmental mitigation across multiple projects. It is expected to attract £30bn in clean energy investment while balancing offshore wind expansion with marine conservation. Technology:  The EU has awarded NOK90m ($8m) to the STEESMAT project, which aims to develop an innovative power distribution system for zero-emission ships. Led by Norway’s Maritime CleanTech, 13 European partners will collaborate on a medium voltage direct current system to replace conventional AC systems. The new technology will enhance energy efficiency, integrate renewable sources and reduce emissions by up to 40%. To read more on the four key themes, join the mailing list by emailing us at contact@ocean14capital.com. #ghostnets #plasticpollution #wwf #Marineconservation #bluefinance #climatechange #sdg14 #oceanfinance #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #sustainability #oceansustainability #aquaculture #carboncapture #technology

Blue Marine is thrilled to be celebrating its fifteenth year of working to protect the ocean. 🎊    We would like to thank all our partners, past and present who have been instrumental in helping us tackle overfishing and deliver our mission to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.        Working together, we can create a lasting legacy and make a meaningful impact on global ocean protection.       Here’s to the next fifteen! 🌊 #OceanConservation #MarineProtection #30x30 #GenerationRestoration #Overfishing

The Economist Impact's Back to Blue initiative's report "Investing in a Pollution-Free Ocean" has just been launched at the World Ocean Conference. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute some insights from our Making Oceans Count program. While the report emphasises the great proportion of land-based sources of #oceanpollution, ocean-based sources, such as shipping, offshore energy and exploration, etc. are not to be underestimated either. Moreover, given the complex nature of marine ecosystems, our still limited understanding and overview of the oceans, there needs to be significant increase of funding for the gathering, analysis, and promotion of #oceandata. This data is still often siloed, less regulated, and even less translated into clear actionable data that governments and industry can work with. #oceans #data #bluefinance #oneocean Jessica Brown Charles Goddard The Nippon Foundation Green Digital Finance Alliance Jannika Aalto Razgar Ebrahimy François Gardin Florian Kemmerich Nicholas C. Niggli Antoinette Vermilye (she/her) Nick Wise Kristjan Jespersen Tom Redd Kimberly Mathisen Suzanne Johnson Charlotte B Mogensen Marianne Haahr Katherine Foster Diana Denke Ram Ganesh Kamatham Mary S. Wisz Wei Ng Torsten Thiele Pierre CG ROUSSEAU Romain Ciarlet ReOcean Fund Ocean 14 Capital Max Gottschalk UN Ocean Decade Pier Luigi Buttigieg

A few shots of Chris Gorell Barnes sharing his thoughts on how to achieve a sustainable and equitable transition at the 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo in Tokyo earlier today. The blue economy session, which included expert views by Torsten Thiele, Founder, Global Ocean Trust, Daniela V. Fernandez, Founder and chief executive, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Lucy Holmes Senior director, blue finance, WWF, was moderated by Daniel Franklin, Executive editor and senior editor, Britain, The Economist. For more on the panellists and the two day agenda, click here https://lnkd.in/gDhFWKa #blueeconomy #wos2025 #WorldOceanSummit #sdg14

Chris Gorell Barnes will be speaking at the 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo. The event is taking place on March 12th-13th 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. Ahead of the event, on the 11th Chris will be the Keynote Speaker at The Executive Circle: Blue Economy Private Roundtable Dinner. On the 12th at the event itself, Chris will be on a panel moderated by Daniel Franklin, Executive editor and senior editor, Britain, The Economist and titled The Blue Economy: Achieving a sustainable, equitable transition. He will be joined by Torsten Thiele, Founder, Global Ocean Trust, Daniela V. Fernandez Founder and chief executive, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Lucy Holmes Senior director, blue finance, WWF. Later in the day he will also be speaking on a panel about Financing Ocean Restoration moderated by Jonathan Birdwell, Head of policy and insights, Economist Impact. Chris will be joined by Sarah Champion, Chair, international development committee, UK House of Commons, Sonali Siriwardena, Partner and global head of ESG, Simmons & Simmons, Pushkala Ratan, Asia lead, climate finance and global lead, blue finance, IFC - International Finance Corporation and Will Oulton, Senior adviser, MUFG Asset Management (UK). #wos #impacteconomist #oceans #blueeconomy #sdg14 #privateequity

Exciting news! Now, after seven decades of filming and exploring the natural world, Sir David Attenborough delivers his greatest message of hope in OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, a spectacular new documentary premiering globally in cinemas on May 8, Sir David's 99th birthday. Countries include the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and South Africa, with additional countries still to be announced, and will be premiere on National Geographic TV and stream on Disney+ in June.   Dynamic Planet is thrilled to have partnered with SILVERBACK FILMS, Open Planet Studios, Altitude Media Group, All3Media, National Geographic, Minderoo Pictures (Minderoo Foundation), 10 Percent For the Ocean 🌊, Don Quixote Foundation, National Geographic Society & Pristine Seas, and Fondazione Principe Alberto II di Monaco, on this amazing film. Through breathtaking cinematography, the film takes us into the heart of our ocean’s beauty and complexity—coral reefs, kelp forests, the vast open sea—while revealing the stark realities of destructive fishing practices, climate change, and biodiversity loss. But this is not a story of despair; it is one of optimism. Attenborough shares groundbreaking discoveries and inspirational solutions from around the world, reminding us that the ocean can recover beyond anything we have ever seen—if we take action now.    The ocean holds the key to our planet’s stability, resilience, and future prosperity. Let’s be inspired, informed, and most importantly—mobilized to protect 30% of our ocean by 2030. #ReviveOurOcean #OceanWithDavidAttenborough #HopeForOurPlanet #30x30   Image Credits: Ocean With David Attenborough – Keith Scholey © Silverback Films & Open Planet Studios

Chris Gorell Barnes will be speaking at PEI's Responsible Investment Forum panel in New York today at 15:35. Titled Impact, climate & transition investing: fundraising in a competitive space, the panel will be moderated by Chris Cote, Executive Director, MSCI Inc. Research. Chris will be joined by Christina Anzel, Director, Generation Investment Management, Fabio Ranghino, Partner, Head of Sustainability & Strategy, Ambienta, and Sandra Kartt, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, ImpactAssets Capital Partners. The panellists will cover: how to standing out in a crowded market; demonstrating tangible value creation; and will weigh the benefits and trade-offs of adopting a single-focus versus a broader impact strategy. #privateequity #impactinvesting #sdg14 #fundraising #assetraising #climatechange #energytransition