Mission: To support scientific research on living marine resources that helps decision makers understand the causes and consequences affecting the global marine environment, and design and implement policies that will sustainably manage ocean ecosystems.

Background:
Established in July 2004 at the Pew Charitable Trusts by the Lenfest Foundation, the Lenfest Ocean Program was the result of heightened interest in conservation of ocean wildlife and investment in marine research. Its founding followed a call by two national commissions — the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy — for national policies to reverse the decline in the health of ocean habitat and wildlife, and to double the federal budget for ocean research. The program supports research in three areas — ecosystem impacts of fishing, social and economic impacts of current and proposed fishing regimes, and the management of sustainable fisheries.

Outstanding Web Features:
The program's new Web site contains colorful images of marine life and supplies a description of the research areas it funds, a list of projects it has supported, its research partners, and the report it has published thus far.