Maxwell Waitt

The Waitt Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports marine conservation efforts around the globe through funding and grantmaking, while also acting as the financial arm to the Waitt Institute. We take a hands on approach to support governments, research institutions. and NGOS in protecting the ocean.

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The Waitt Foundation board is comprised of individuals with a common goal of empowering local communities to take control of their marine areas for a more sustainable future. The Waitt Foundation is a product of the philanthropic efforts of the Waitt Family and a willingness to bring cutting-edge talent and expertise to coastal communities all over the world.

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As founding partners of the Blue Prosperity Coalition, the Waitt Foundation engages in a multi-year partnership with governments around the world to establish a Blue Prosperity Plan and implement 30% marine protection.

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Board Member Spotlight: Maxwell Waitt

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Who is Maxwell Waitt, and where is Maxwell Waitt from?

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Let’s take a closer look at Maxwell Waitt’s bio to learn more about this Waitt Foundation board member.

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Maxwell Waitt serves on the Investment and Audit Committee of the Waitt Foundation. His commitment to transparency fits in with the goal of empowering ethical grantmaking and partnering with governments, NGOs, and research institutions within some of the world’s most threatened ocean environments.

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He is one of the Waitt Foundation’s guiding lights in engaging with stakeholders in developing the next-generation blue economy. Other Maxwell Waitt news highlights include Waitt’s real estate development goals, including the launch of Orli La Jolla, located on the coast of California.

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Our Focus

 

Maxwell Waitt is proud to be a board member of The Waitt Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to achieve its mission through four key focus areas:

 

Blue Economy

 

The blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. It encompasses a multitude of activities, including sustainable fisheries, infrastructure, renewable energy, education, and tourism.

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A blue economy occurs when economic activity is in balance with the long-term capacity of ocean ecosystems. By 2030, there will be an estimated 40 million ocean jobs, with the estimated global ocean asset value estimated at $24 trillion. We can maximize the world’s oceans' economic potential while employing intelligent, sustainable management of blue resources. By supporting local communities with a green mindset, coastal communities globally can improve their livelihoods and create an economic future they can rely on for generations to come.

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Building a blue economy ensures that economic stability and ocean preservation go hand in hand.

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Marine Spatial Planning

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Marine spatial planning is the answer to a very important question: how do we adequately balance the needs of diverse ocean users while keeping the marine environment healthy and accessible now and for future generations? In short, it’s a public participatory process to determine the best use of ocean space.

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This process allows MSP to be highly specialized for each individual country and environment through a map-based plan. This ensures countries designate which areas should be protected, what activities should or shouldn’t be allowed in each area of ocean space, and what implementation measures need to be in place to achieve these goals.

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The Foundation believes that through a science and data-driven approach to planning we can build a more sustainable future for our ocean.

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Sustainable Fisheries

 

Fishing is the lifeblood of many coastal cultures – more than 3 billion people around the world rely on seafood as their primary source of protein. It has never been more important to develop a sustainable solution to ocean fishing. 

 

The Foundation’s goal is to respect local cultures and ensure people who rely on fishing can maintain their livelihoods while also ensuring enough fish are left in the ocean to maintain ecosystems. It is also critical to engage in constant monitoring of vulnerable fish populations.

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To accomplish this, we work hand in hand with local governments and partners to help them balance crucial food security with economic prosperity.

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Marine Protection

 

Experts agree that we must protect 30% of the world’s oceans by the year 2030. Ideally, 30% of the ocean would be strongly protected in no-take MPAs to maximize fisheries yield and safeguard marine resources.

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Why is this so important?

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• In the last 30 years, 50% of the world’s coral reefs have been lost

• 66% of the world’s seafood is overfished

• By the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish

• Only 4% of the ocean is currently protected

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The oceans are dying, but if we pool our resources and work together, we can save them.

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Our Core Values

 

Maxwell Waitt shares the values of the Waitt Foundation and Institute, which inform every new and existing project. These core values make the Foundation successful in building a better world that benefits all.

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We Follow the Science

 

Everything we do is grounded in science. And the science shows that protecting at least 30% of the ocean is critical for recovery.

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At each new potential site, we begin with scientific assessments of the marine habitats and fisheries through our in-depth expeditions and the work of our partners. In addition, ongoing monitoring is imperative in order to ensure the plans remain both successful and sustainable.

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The Foundation performs and funds cutting-edge research that utilizes an open-source policy with all of our data. Our collaborative team of world-class experts has been instrumental in the Foundation’s ability to implement our sustainable ocean plans.

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Driven by Communities

 

The organization engages and listens to the communities we serve, prioritizing their needs and concerns. It also develops and implements genuinely beneficial blue policies by conducting interviews with stakeholders on the ground.

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Community-driven change increases both the effectiveness and the success rate of any nation’s ocean plans.

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Balanced Approach to the Blue Economy

 

The Waitt Foundation is not only committed to ocean preservation but also to preserving the livelihoods and unique cultures of coastal communities across the globe.

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Conservation and economics should not be viewed as independent of one another. The world is changing, and it’s important we provide new opportunities for the two ideas to live in tandem, from sustainable fisheries to environmentally conscious development to alternative livelihoods. Economic stability and preservation can, and should, go hand in hand.

 

Collaborating for Success

 

We are all in this together.

 

Marine environments have suffered for too long due to a failure to listen. And now it’s problem far too vast for one person, or even one group to solve. A real revolution in ocean preservation occurs only by bringing all stakeholders on board.

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The health of the world’s oceans and coastlines impacts everyone. The Waitt Foundation and Waitt Institute bring together governments, scientists, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and communities to accomplish our goals.

The commitment to collaboration is the only way we will achieve sustainable, resilient, and thriving seas that benefit all.

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Our Projects

 

The Waitt Foundation is an organization that believes in a global vision because the only way we can achieve real, sustained preservation is by working together. The Foundation has provided support and guidance in some of the world’s most threatened marine ecosystems, where funding and awareness are limited.

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From the Azores to the Maldives to Fiji, the Waitt Foundation has worked around the globe to provide strategic planning, implementation, and funding to protect threatened marine areas. Currently, we are actively engaged in 8 key sites. Stay tuned for where we go next!

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