Our collected donations
Your Bracenet is your contribution to marine conservation. And it's a double win: you're helping to end the scourge of ghost nets and simultaneously donating to the oceans and marine life. We're thrilled to announce our major milestones: to date, we've collectively donated over a quarter of a million euros – €284,223. Find out exactly where and for what here!
Milestone: BRACENET has donated over €284,000!
With BRACENET, you're making a contribution to marine conservation. More precisely, a double contribution: With every product, you're helping to end the scourge of ghost nets and simultaneously donating to the protection of the seas and marine life. Thank you for joining us in the fight for the future of our oceans! We're thrilled to announce our first major milestone:
To date, we have jointly donated over a quarter of a million euros – €284,223!
We are incredibly proud of this figure and everything we have achieved with this money. Whether it's recovering hundreds of tons of ghost nets, sponsoring a humpback whale, or protecting sharks – we are clearly making a difference in the vastness and depths of the oceans.
How are the donations composed?
The majority of our donations, over €167,000 to date, go to our closest partner organizations, Healthy Seas and Ghost Diving. We've been working together since the very beginning, as these two initiatives recover ghost nets from all the world's oceans and intercept discarded fishing nets from fisheries to prevent them from ending up there in the first place. Our regular donations fund things like boat rentals, diving equipment, safety training, and educational programs, especially for children.
In addition, we were able to donate more than €115,000 to a wide variety of projects that advocate for the oceans, marine animals, and people. These include well-known marine and nature conservation organizations such as Sea Shepherd, Mission Earth, Shark Allies, Iberian Orca Guardians, and the Norwegian Orca Survey, as well as humanitarian organizations like Leave No One Behind, Doctors Without Borders, and Pink Ribbon.
We want to be transparent about how your purchase of one of our products has supported, and continues to support, these projects. That's why we're presenting all our fundraising projects and their respective donation amounts in this blog. We'll be regularly updating this list, as we're constantly raising funds to fight for a greener future for our oceans and the world. Some transfers will be coming soon: for example, to Earth Justice for the Stop Willow Bracenet project, and ongoing donations to Healthy Seas and Ghost Diving.
Click through the projects to learn more about them!
Donation projects:
Healthy Seas & Ghost Diving – €167,657
Healthy Seas and Ghost Diving have been our main partners for ghost net recovery since our founding. Because they work very closely together, our donations benefit both organizations. We use them to fund things like boat rentals, diving equipment, and hazard training for recovery missions, as well as preventative measures.
Healthy Seas is tirelessly working to rid our oceans of ghost nets. The organization collaborates closely with the dedicated dive teams of Ghost Diving to retrieve these old nets from the oceans and maintains contact with fisheries to prevent their end-of-life nets from ending up in the water in the first place. Under the motto "A Journey from Waste to Wear," Healthy Seas then passes the nets on to us so we can give them a new lease on life.
Ghost Diving is the world's leading organization for the recovery of ghost nets. This association of over 250 volunteer divers worldwide works closely with Healthy Seas, retrieving nets from wrecks and reefs at depths of up to 50 meters. The initiative is active globally and is divided into the following teams: Ghost Diving The Netherlands, Adriatic, Austria, East Med, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, Korea, Lake Iseo, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, and the USA. Since 2021, Ghost Diving Germany has also been diving for ghost nets in the North and Baltic Seas.
More information: Healthy Seas website / Healthy Seas blog / Ghost Diving website / Ghost Diving blog
Everwave / Pacific Garbage Screening – €1,000
Everwave is dedicated to tackling the challenge of freeing oceans and rivers from plastic waste through technological innovation. For example, founder Marcella Hansch has developed a platform that calms currents, allowing plastic debris to float to the surface where it can be collected. In a fundraising campaign with Louisa Dellert and a joint Bracenet, we raised €1,000 for the project. Our donation will help advance Everwave's important initiatives.
More information: Organization .
Charles Darwin Foundation – €2,500
The Charles Darwin Foundation is dedicated to preserving and protecting the unique biodiversity on and around the Galapagos Islands. Through research and education, the foundation makes an indispensable contribution to the protection of these remarkable ecosystems. In 2020, in cooperation with diver and environmental activist Roberto Ochoa, we raised funds for the organization with the Galapagos Bracenet, and again in 2021 with Got Bag and our Save The Seas Pack specifically for the protection of wild tortoises in the Galapagos Islands.
More information: Organization .
Doctors Without Borders – €1,877
Doctors Without Borders is an international humanitarian organization that provides medical assistance in crisis regions worldwide. Regardless of political or religious conflicts, it offers life-saving medical care to those who need it most. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world in 2020, we raised funds with the “Sea you soon” – Special Bracenet campaign to support their vital work for people affected by the virus.
More information: Organization .
Shark Allies – €6,060
Shark Allies is dedicated to protecting shark populations worldwide. The team works to change public perceptions of sharks and highlight their crucial role in the marine ecosystem, so they are respected and no longer threatened. With our Shark Edition Bracenets, we have supported Shark Allies in reducing the use of shark products, combating trophy fishing tournaments, and protecting sharks from overfishing globally. Our Bahamas Bracenet has also funded part of the “Valuing Sharks Alive” project.
More information: Organization .
MARE Foundation – €1,050
The MARE Foundation, based in Poland, is committed to protecting the Baltic Sea. Since 2015, it has been protecting marine ecosystems, advocating for sustainable fishing, and raising awareness about environmental protection. It is particularly active in combating the plastic pollution crisis and regularly organizes further cleanup missions. In the summer of 2020, it partnered with local fisheries to conduct a large-scale ghost net cleanup in the Baltic Sea off the Polish coast. We used the recovered nets to create the Baltic Sea MARE Foundation Bracenet and raised funds for the MARE Foundation.
More information: Organization .
Ocean Voyages Institute – €3,524
It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. The Ocean Voyages Institute is tackling this dangerous trend: The non-profit organization undertakes large-scale cleanup expeditions to remove all this plastic from the sea. In 2020, they set a record with the largest cleanup ever in the middle of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. We received some of the recovered nets and made them into Bracenets to raise funds for the organization.
More information: Organization .
Sea Shepherd Germany – €17,962
Sea Shepherd Germany is the German branch of the international Sea Shepherd movement. It supports international campaigns and also conducts its own actions to protect the North and Baltic Seas – for example, against illegal fishing and ghost nets. In addition to direct marine conservation, Sea Shepherd Germany is heavily involved in public awareness and environmental education. In 2018, we first supported them in this endeavor: with a joint Bracenet to help save harbor porpoises in the Baltic Sea. Using nets from their BALTIC SEA CAMPAIGN, we regularly produced new Bracenets and keychains to raise funds for their important mission. You can continue to support Sea Shepherd's efforts with our Sea Shepherd Bracenet.
More information: Organization / Cooperation .
Sea Shepherd Global - €5,650
Sea Shepherd is a crucial player in the fight against illegal fishing and the exploitation of our marine resources. The organization relies on international campaigns to identify, document, and stop illegal activities at sea and on land. We have previously supported this valuable work with donations through a special edition of their magazine.
More information: Organization.
Outlaw Ocean Project – €1,994
The Outlaw Ocean Project is a non-profit organization founded by marine reporter Ian Urbina. Through investigative reporting and education, it exposes the true dark side of the oceans: crimes committed on the high seas. We raised funds for the project through a joint Bracenet campaign – also available bundled with Ian Urbina's book "Outlaw Ocean." By doing so, we help tell stories that would otherwise go untold and contribute to the fight for justice for those exploited on our oceans.
More information: Organization .
Huckleberry Finn / Nico's Farm – €1,028
Huckleberry Finn is a project by Nicos Farm eV, designed to provide people with disabilities and other challenges with positive and therapeutic experiences on and around the water. This vision was realized through the construction of an accessible houseboat that facilitates inclusive encounters and serves as a venue for readings, seminars, and other events. We were enthusiastic about this inclusion project from the very beginning and supported its realization with our “Huckleberry Finn” bracenet.
More Information: Organization .
Viva con Agua – €1,450
Viva con Agua is committed to providing access to clean drinking water worldwide. Their work ranges from supporting water projects to raising awareness about the vital issues of water and hygiene. Through our partnership with soulbottles, we collect donations and support Viva con Agua in their mission. We are also a partner of the International Ocean Film Tour and raise funds for Viva con Agua through our joint product sales.
More information: Organization .
Whale & Dolphin Conservation – €4,622
Whale & Dolphin Conservation, or WDC for short, is the world's leading non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the protection of whales and dolphins. They actively campaign against whaling and bycatch and for the protection of the oceans. Together with WDC, we have developed a Bracenet to support their fight against bycatch and to fund a sponsorship for the humpback whale Salt.
More information: Organization .
Leave No One Behind – €15,070
Leave No One Behind is committed to supporting and protecting people who have been forced to flee their homes. The initiative specifically supports organizations that facilitate safe passage for all. In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we launched the Ukraine Donation Bracenet and initially donated 100% of the proceeds, and later €5 per Bracenet, to Leave No One Behind.
More information: Organization .
Ocean Wildlife Project – €3,078
The Ocean Wildlife Project (OWP), a non-profit organization, supports targeted research and conservation projects to strengthen marine protected areas. OWP focuses particularly on projects that generate insights relevant to the conservation of threatened species. Only by understanding the behavior and distribution of marine animals can we protect them with concrete measures. Through our sponsorship of the Blue Savannah and our Bahamas Bracenet project, we have supported OWP projects in Bazaruto National Park off the coast of Mozambique and in the Bahamas.
More information: Organization.
German Association for Sustainable Business – €2,400
The German Association for Sustainable Business (BNW) unites companies and self-employed individuals to advocate for a sustainable economy. The association offers members the opportunity to exchange ideas on social and environmental transformation and to drive sustainable change in the economy. As a member, we support the BNW with an annual donation of €600.
More information: Organization .
Oclean – €862
Oclean proves that it can be easy to make your own contribution to the environment – and that picking up trash can be a lot of fun. We're on board: with presentations and joint cleanup events in Hamburg! After all, plastic waste is a huge problem not only in the oceans but also on land, and waste often ends up in the seas via rivers. With the Pacific Coral Bracenet for World Cleanup Day, we raised funds to finance further cleanups and an exhibition of curious trash finds.
More information: Organization .
Olive Ridley Project – €2,064
Many turtle species travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers across the ocean. On these long journeys, they face numerous threats, especially those caused by humans, such as ghost nets. Thankfully, the Olive Ridley Project (ORP) is working to protect these turtles! ORP rescues and rehabilitates injured sea turtles, researches threats, seeks solutions, and raises public awareness. With our Turtle Bracenet, we raised funds for ORP to support their vital work.
More information: Organization .
Mission Earth – €22,637
MISSION EARTH eV is the passion project of marine biologist, research diver, photographer, and YouTuber Robert Marc Lehmann. The project reflects his tireless dedication to our planet, both on land and in the sea. We first collaborated in 2021 when he and his diving team recovered 3 tons of ghost nets from the Baltic Sea off the coast of Fehmarn. With our Bracenets and keychains made from these nets, we raised €10,000 in donations for MISSION EARTH eV to fund further recovery operations. In recent years, we have continued to raise funds with our Orca Bracenet and Orca keychains to support the organization's work.
More information: Organization / Cooperation Orca .
Bye Bye Plastic Sylt – €621
Bye Bye Plastik Sylt is an initiative that raises awareness among Sylt residents and tourists about a plastic-free future. Its members regularly organize cleanups, during which they also collect washed-up nets. They send these to us, and we upcycle them into Sylt keychains and Sylt bracelets to raise funds for North German organizations.
More information: Organization.
Norwegian Orca Survey – €5,690
The non-profit organization Norwegian Orca Survey (NOS) studies orcas in Norwegian waters. Their research team studies the local orca population to understand their way of life and monitor their health. They publish their findings in studies and also make them available to national authorities to help better protect and conserve the species. With our first Orca Bracenet, we raised funds to support the Catacean Stranding Program, which focuses on research into stranded marine mammals. By examining these animals, NOS can determine the causes of their deaths and how to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
More information: Organization .
Pink Ribbon – €286
The pink ribbon is a global symbol for the fight against breast cancer. Early detection is a particular focus, as it is crucial for the chances of recovery. Pink Ribbon Germany's slogan is: "Breast cancer early detection? Feel it, don't look away!" In February 2023, we took the opportunity to support Pink Ribbon Germany's non-profit campaign with our cancer Bracenet.
More information: Organization .
Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project – €2,154
Ghost nets stop at no place, not even the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. The marine flora and fauna around the largely untouched northwestern islands are particularly threatened. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) is dedicated to protecting this area from marine debris. Among other things, the team goes out every year to recover ghost nets. We've upcycled some of their recovered nets into new products and are collecting donations for their vital work.
More information: Organization .
Stop Finning - €634
Stop Finning is an international campaign against the cruel business of shark finning. Its goal is to stop the practice of finning and trading shark fins in the EU – to protect shark populations and the oceans. With the Stop Finning Bracenet, we were able to raise funds for their important work in 2023.
More information: Organization .
Ocean Conservation Namibia / International - €1,822
OCN is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the marine environment in Namibia – particularly rescuing seals entangled in fishing nets and plastic waste. The organization raises awareness about the dangers of marine pollution. With the Namibia Edition, we were able to collect donations for this valuable organization.
More information: Organization .
IFAW - €636
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) works internationally to protect wildlife, especially whales and dolphins, and their habitats. The organization develops solutions to rescue animals in distress, combat illegal wildlife trafficking, and preserve natural habitats. It combines scientific research, public awareness campaigns, and practical, on-the-ground assistance. Thanks to the generous support of Kaulitz Hills, we were able to raise funds for this organization in 2024.
More information: Organization .
Iberian Orca Guardians - €8,175
The Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation, founded by Sarah Connor and Janek Andre , is dedicated to the protection and conservation of the endangered Iberian orcas. These majestic creatures inhabit the Strait of Gibraltar from April to September, and their population is threatened by human retaliation, illegal fishing practices, and habitat destruction. Together with Sarah Connor, we developed an Iberian Orca Guardians collection, allowing you to actively protect these endangered orcas.
More information: Organization .
International Ocean Film Tour Partner – €1,720
As part of the International Ocean Film Tour, we provided the tour with free tote bags. The International Ocean Film Tour sold these bags and donated the proceeds, totaling €1,720, to its eight partner organizations. Each organization received €215 to continue its vital work protecting the oceans. The supported partners include organizations we have worked with previously, such as Sea Shepherd , Viva con Agua , WDC , and everwave . In addition, the German Marine Foundation , OceanCare , Sharkproject , and the Surfrider Foundation , which work globally to protect oceans, marine life, and coastlines, also received support.
Every single donation has already made a valuable contribution to protecting our oceans – and together we can achieve so much more. Thank you for being part of this movement!