Our collected donations
Your Bracenet is your contribution to ocean conservation. And it's twofold: You're helping to end the ghost net scourge and donating to oceans and marine animals at the same time. We're thrilled to announce our major milestones: To date, we've collectively donated over a quarter of a million euros – €272,827. Find out exactly where and for what here!
Milestone: BRACENET has donated over €272,000!
With BRACENET, you're making a contribution to ocean conservation. A double contribution, to be precise: With every product, you help end the ghost net scourge and simultaneously donate to the protection of the oceans and marine animals. Thank you for fighting with us for the future of our oceans! We're very excited to announce our first major milestone:
To date, we have donated over a quarter of a million euros together – €272,827!
We are incredibly proud of this number and everything we've achieved with this money. Whether it's hundreds of tons of ghost nets recovered, a humpback whale sponsorship, or shark conservation—we're clearly making a difference across the vastness and depths of the ocean.
How are the donations made up?
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 day one. These two initiatives recover ghost nets from all over the world's oceans and intercept discarded fishing nets from fisheries so they don't end up there in the first place. Our regular donations finance things like boat rentals, diving equipment, hazard training, and educational work, especially for children.
In addition, we were able to donate more than €105,000 to a variety of different projects that support the oceans, marine animals, and people. These include well-known marine and nature conservation organizations such as Sea Shepherd, Mission Earth, Shark Allies, and the Norwegian Orca Survey, as well as humanitarian organizations such as Leave No One Behind, Doctors Without Borders, and Pink Ribbon.
We want to show you transparently how you have supported these projects by purchasing one of our products and continue to support them. That's why we present all of our fundraising projects and the respective donation amounts in this blog. We will be expanding this list regularly, as we continue to collect donations to fight for the green future of our oceans and the world. Some transfers will follow soon: for example, to Earth Justice for the Stop Willow Bracenet 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 primary partners for ghost net recovery since our founding. Because they work closely together, our donations benefit both organizations. We use them to fund things like boat rentals, dive equipment, and hazard training for recovery missions, as well as preventative measures.
Healthy Seas is working tirelessly to rid our oceans of ghost nets. The organization works closely with dedicated Ghost Diving teams to retrieve these old nets from the oceans and collaborates with fisheries to prevent their end-of-life nets from ending up in the water. Under the motto "A Journey from Waste to Wear," Healthy Seas then passes the nets on to us for a new lease on life.
Ghost Diving is the world's leading organization for ghost net recovery. The association of over 250 volunteer divers worldwide works closely with Healthy Seas and recovers nets from wrecks and reefs at depths of up to 50 meters. The initiative operates worldwide 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, the 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 the challenge of using technological innovations to rid oceans and rivers of plastic waste. For example, founder Marcella Hansch has developed a platform that calms currents, allowing plastic fragments to float to the surface, where they are collected. In a fundraising campaign with Louisa Dellert and a joint Bracenet, we raised €1,000 for the project. Your donation will help advance Everwave's important initiatives.
More information: Organization .
Charles Darwin Foundation – €2,500
The Charles Darwin Foundation is committed to preserving and protecting the unique biodiversity on and around the Galapagos Islands. Through research and educational work, the foundation makes an indispensable contribution to the protection of these remarkable ecosystems. In 2020, we collaborated with diver and environmental activist Roberto Ochoa to raise funds for the organization through Galapagos Bracenet. In 2021, we also raised funds for the organization 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 providing medical assistance in crisis regions around the world. Regardless of political or religious conflict, it provides lifesaving medical care to those who need it most. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world in 2020, we raised funds with the "Sea you soon" Special Bracenet to support their critical 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 is committed to changing public perceptions of sharks and emphasizing their key role in the marine ecosystem so they are respected and no longer threatened. With our Shark Edition Bracenets, we have helped Shark Allies reduce shark products, combat trophy fishing tournaments, and protect sharks worldwide from overfishing. With our Bahamas Bracenet, we 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 spreading the message of environmental protection. It is particularly committed to combating the tide of plastic and regularly organizes additional recovery missions. In the summer of 2020, it organized a large-scale ghost net cleanup in the Baltic Sea off the Polish coast together with fisheries. We used the recovered nets to create the Baltic Sea MARE Foundation Bracenet and use them to raise funds for the MARE Foundation.
More information: Organization .
Ocean Voyages Institute – €3,524
According to estimates, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish swimming through the oceans. The Ocean Voyages Institute is tackling this dangerous trend: The non-profit organization is undertaking large-scale recovery missions to remove all the plastic from the ocean. In 2020, it set a record with the largest cleanup ever in 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 – €16,462
Sea Shepherd Germany is the German branch of the international Sea Shepherd movement. It supports international campaigns and also carries out 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 relations and environmental education. We first supported them in 2018: with a joint bracenet to save the porpoises in the Baltic Sea. Using nets from their BALTIC SEA CAMPAIGN, we have 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 / Collaboration .
Sea Shepherd Global - €5,650
Sea Shepherd is a key player in the fight against illegal fishing and the misuse of our marine resources. The organization relies on international campaigns to investigate, document, and stop illegal activities at sea and on land. We have previously supported this valuable work with donations through a special edition.
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 educational outreach, we report on the true depths of the oceans: crimes on the high seas. Through a joint Bracenet—also bundled with Ian Urbina's book "Outlaw Ocean"—we raised funds for the project. This helps tell stories that would otherwise go untold—and contributes to seeking justice for those exploited in our oceans.
More information: Organization .
Huckleberry Finn / Nico's Farm – €1,028
Huckleberry Finn is a project by Nicos Farm eV to provide positive and therapeutic experiences on and in the water for people with disabilities and other challenges. This vision has been realized through the construction of an accessible houseboat that facilitates inclusive encounters and serves as a venue for readings, seminars, and other events. We have been enthusiastic about this inclusion project from the very beginning and have supported its implementation with our "Huckleberry Finn" bracelet.
More Info: Organization .
Live with Water – €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 issue of water and hygiene. Through our partnership with soulbottles, we raise funds and support Viva con Agua in its mission. We are also a partner of the International Ocean Film Tour and are also raising funds for Viva con Agua through joint products.
More information: Organization .
Whale & Dolphin Conservation – €4,622
Whale & Dolphin Conservation, or WDC for short, is the world's leading nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to the conservation of whales and dolphins. It actively campaigns against whaling and bycatch, and promotes ocean conservation. We have partnered with WDC to develop a bracenet to support their fight against bycatch and fund a sponsorship for Salt, the humpback whale.
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 enable safe escape for everyone. In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we launched the Ukraine Donation Bracenet and initially donated 100% of the proceeds, later increasing to €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 conservation-relevant knowledge about endangered species. Only by understanding the behavior and distribution of marine animals can we protect them with concrete measures. With our sponsorship of the Blue Savannah and our Bahamas Bracenet, we have supported OWP projects in Bazaruto National Park off the coast of Mozambique and in the Bahamas.
More information: Organization.
Federal Association for Sustainable Economy – €2,400
The German Association for Sustainable Business (BNW) brings together companies and the self-employed to advocate for a sustainable economy as a unified voice. The association offers members the opportunity to exchange ideas about social and ecological transformation and to drive sustainable economic change. 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 collecting trash can be a lot of fun. We're there: with lectures and joint cleanup events in Hamburg! After all, plastic waste is a major problem not only in the oceans, but also on land, and waste often finds its way from land to the oceans via rivers. With the Pacific Coral Bracenet for World Cleanup Day, we raised funds to finance further cleanups and an exhibition of trash curiosities.
More information: Organization .
Olive Ridley Project – €2,064
Many turtle species travel hundreds to thousands of kilometers through the water. On these long journeys, they are particularly vulnerable to human-caused threats, such as ghost nets. Fortunately, the Olive Ridley Project (ORP) is protecting 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 the ORP to support their important work.
More information: Organization .
Mission Earth – €22,637
MISSION ERDE eV is the passion project of marine biologist, research diver, photographer, and YouTuber Robert Marc Lehmann. The project testifies to his tireless commitment to our planet, both on land and at sea. We first collaborated in 2021, when he and his diving team recovered three 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 ERDE eV to finance further recovery operations. In recent years, we have raised further donations with the Orca Bracenet and Orca Keychain to support the association'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 holidaymakers about a plastic-free future. Its members organize regular cleanups, during which they also collect stranded nets. They send them to us, and we upcycle them into Sylt keychains and Sylt bracenets to raise funds for the 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 lifestyles and monitor their health. They publish their collected knowledge in studies and also make it available to national authorities so they can better protect and conserve this species. With our first Orca Bracenet, we raised funds to support the Orca Stranding Program, research into stranded marine mammals. By studying these animals, NOS can help the team determine why they died and how we can prevent this from happening in the future.
More information: Organization .
Pink Ribbon – €286
The pink ribbon is a global symbol of the commitment to fighting breast cancer. Early detection is a particular focus, as it significantly improves 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 nowhere. Not even on 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 raising funds for their important 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 cutting of shark fins (finning) and the trade in them 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 educates people about the dangers of marine pollution. With the Namibia Edition, we were able to raise funds for this valuable organization.
More information: Organization .
IFAW - €636
IFAW is committed to the international conservation of wildlife, especially whales and dolphins, and their habitats. The organization works to find solutions to rescue animals in distress, combat illegal wildlife trade, and preserve natural habitats. It combines scientific research, educational work, and practical on-site assistance. With the tremendous support of Kaulitz Hills, we were able to raise funds for this organization in 2024.
More information: Organization .
Every single donation has already made a valuable contribution to protecting our oceans – and together we can achieve much more. Thank you for being part of this movement!