Protecting our Oceans

for a peaceful and sustainable future

The best way to ensure environmental justice for our oceans is to protect them from human abuse and exploitation. The best way to do that is by creating Marine Protected Areas.
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Our campaigns have been instrumental in the protection of 2.2 million km² of ocean - an area the size of Western Europe. And because everything is connected, we work to protect rivers that feed oceans, and their catchments too.

Our 30x30 campaign aims to fully protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. To date 132 nations have  committed to the #30x30 goal, helping to rebuild our destructive relationship with nature.

Our founder, endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh, is known for his environmental diplomacy, using sport to unify across divides. His access to global leaders and policy makers means he can influence decisions that make a difference.

“I urge you to support The Lewis Pugh Foundation and the crucial work it does to promote peace and protect our oceans.”

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (1931- 2021)

Nobel Peace Laureate and Founding Patron of the Lewis Pugh Foundation

Our Latest News

CAMPAIGN

The Hudson Swim is a wrap! 

In August 2023, Lewis Pugh began swimming 315 miles (507 km) down the Hudson River, from its source to its end at the Atlantic Ocean. He completed the swim one month later on September 13 at Battery Park, Lower Manhattan.

Lewis swam to highlight the critical role rivers play in a habitable planet, to explore the interconnectedness of rivers and oceans, and to stress the urgent need to protect and respect them.

“If we want healthy oceans we also need healthy rivers — it’s that simple.”
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Latest

Hudson Swim in the Media

We’ve been all over the news since Lewis successfully completed his 315-mile swim down the Hudson River. In case you missed some of the stories, you can relive the swim and catch up with the reactions during and after right here.
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News

A Cleansing Welcome to the Mahicannituck

Monday 4 September was a special day for the Foundation, as Lewis and the swim team were welcomed into Lenape territory by Chief Vincent Mann and members of the Lenape Ramapough Turtle Clan. The Lenape are the original inhabitants of much of what is now New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and Delaware, including all of the Lower Hudson Valley.
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Voices

River Warriors

Rivers are lifelines for millions of people, animals and ecosystems – and all of them ultimately lead to the ocean. We cannot protect our oceans without protecting rivers. Which is why we are celebrating these brave River Warriors who dedicate themselves to recognising, protecting and defending our precious river systems.
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Breaking News

High Seas Treaty

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the high seas? Endless blue horizons, unimaginable depths, and elusive creatures like the blue whale – or pirates, plunder and lawlessness? All of these would be accurate, but hopefully that last part is about to change.
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Opinion

Everything is Connected

"When Saudi swimmer Dr Mariam Saleh Bin Laden became the first woman to swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, I knew that it was much more than just a personal best for her." Lewis looks back on the changes, achievements and challenges of 2022.
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Books

'Reef Life'

If you've watched Blue Planet, you've already benefited from some of Professor Callum Roberts' lyrical love for the ocean. In his memoir ‘Reef Life‘ (Profile Books), Britain's pre-eminent marine conservation scientist tells of how he fell in love with the 'rainforests of the ocean', and of his concerns for coral in the face of global warming.
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