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Ocean institute

Think Tank Ocean Institute is a privately funded think tank and a non-profit membership association. The Think Tank Ocean Institute was established on the initiative of the VELUX FOUNDATION in 2021 and is funded through 2031. We are an independent, non-profit member-based organisation.


Since 2021, we have leveraged best available knowledge to shed light on the ocean crisis and to support decision-makers in responding to it in a timely and effective manner. To ensure our recommendations on actions to promote clean, healthy seas and sustainable marine practices are both well-informed and actionable, we gather insights from a diverse array of stakeholders, and through collaborations with our members.


Our team’s broad range of expertise and diverse experiences enables us to confront ocean challenges with a transdisciplinary perspective, blending insights from various fields to come up with holistic solutions that contribute to driving actions for the betterment of marine ecosystems.

Savtang og blåmuslinger i Øresund
Kutling i stime gennem blæretang og fedtemøg

International perspective

Unlike terrestrial ecosystems, the ocean’s fluid nature often allows actions taken in one part of the world to show up as profound impacts on marine resources thousands of miles away. The interconnected nature of our ocean is at the core of the Ocean Institute's global outlook, shaping its commitment to both regional and international cooperation.

Our members

Organisations, business, NGOs, research institutions, and individuals with knowledge, experience, or interest in the marine environment, are eligible for membership at The Ocean Institute. All members commit, upon joining the association, to work towards fulfilling our objectives, including refraining from actions that would undermine these objectives.

Neither VELUX FONDEN nor our members hold decision-making authority over the Ocean Institute’s focus areas, analyses, conclusions, or recommendations, including the methods of conducting and communicating them.

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This is our member base:

  • BAC Impalloy

  • BAWAT

  • Birdlife Denmark

  • Cooperation of water sports

  • Danish Agriculture and Food Council

  • Danish Aquaculture

  • Danish Fishers PO

  • DANVA

  • The Danish Hunters' Association

  • Danish Low-Impact Fishers Producer Organisation

  • Danish Outdoor Council

  • ​The Danish Pelagic Producers Organisation (DPPO)

  • The Danish Society for Nature Conservation

  • DHI

  • Energinet

  • EUC Nordvest

  • European Energy

  • FOGA Consult

  • Green Power Denmark

  • Havhoest

  • Hedeselskabet

  • KIMO Denmark

  • Koege Bugt Alliancen

  • Lystfisk.dk

  • Living Sea

  • NCC

  • NIVA Denmark

  • Orsted

  • Roede Nielsen

  • Sould

  • Sund and Baelt

  • The Danish Association for Sport Fishing

  • Thyboron Port

  • TotalEnergies

  • Vattenfall

  • Wadden Sea National Park

Our values

How we approach knowledge, solutions, and collaboration

  • Whenever we highlight a problem, we strive to propose at least one solution.
     

  • Our statements are always based on best available knowledge, framed with an objective perspective.
     

  • We engage with our members and take their input into account.
     

  • We inform our members of our findings before they are made public.
     

  • We are only part of the solution. The bigger solution lies in collaborative approaches.

Sukkertang i Kattegat Sverige

Our publications

We are currently working towards translating our publications into English to reach a broader audience and empower stakeholders beyond Danish speakers by sharing our insights and expertise to promote better solutions for the ocean. Our translations will be available on this page, free of charge as they are completed.

March 2026

Analysis

ålegræs _Sune Riis Sørensen.jpg

Biodiversity & Business

Focuses on risks, impacts & oppertunities related to business activities in the ocean

June 2024

Analysis

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Reduction of nutrient pollution

This report examines how nutrient pollution affects Danish coastal waters.

Contact

Lene Westergaard
Lene Westergaard

Senior Consultant

Tobias Krog Udsholt
Tobias Krog Udsholt

Senior Economist

Contact

Lene Westergaard

Lene Westergaard

Seniorkonsulent, Bæredygtig Anvendelse

Lene Westergaard

Lene Westergaard

Seniorkonsulent, Bæredygtig Anvendelse

Lene Westergaard

Lene Westergaard

Seniorkonsulent, Bæredygtig Anvendelse

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