

ULTRAMARINE 2023 RECAP
THAT'S A WRAP FOR JANUARY 2023!
January 8-12, 2023 - British Virgin Islands
ULTRAMARINE, an eclectic community of scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, artists, explorers, and athletes founded by Susi Mai and Jeremy McKane with the support of JSpace, gathered once again on Necker Island in the BVI to take action on ocean conservation.
ULTRAMARINE, a community of leading experts in ocean conservation, recently gathered on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands to take action on preserving the oceans. Founded by Susi Mai and Jeremy McKane and supported by JSpace, the community brought together scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, artists, explorers, and athletes to discuss and address the pressing issues facing our oceans.
Global ocean conservation leaders and luminaries including Ralph Chami from the IMF, Premier Wheatley of the BVI, Dr. Jim Porter, and Candina Weston, led discussions and presented the urgent issues, opportunities, new findings, and top priorities to be addressed in the effort to meet the ’30x30’ initiative.Susi Mai stated: “Most ocean conservation gatherings preach to the converted. We are a community of doers who prioritize taking action and we will hold each other accountable to our commitments.”
By inspiring a community of thought leaders across industries to bring their skills and interests to ocean conservation, ULTRAMARINE expands the conversation, bringing ocean conservation into a diverse set of fields and broadening the set of capable people making a difference for the ocean.
A few immediate outcomes of the event include the approval of a Blue Carbon Pilot program in the BVI, a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2045, and the development of a new documentary on underwater munitions, amongst many others.The strong bonds of a shared and urgent passion formed among the members are already producing results. The annual ULTRAMARINE gathering is next scheduled for early 2024. The community will meet all around the world on various ocean expeditions and initiatives and will return to Necker Island to welcome new members, catalog accomplishments, and set out new goals.
2021 PRESS RELEASE
January 29, 2021
VIRTUAL ULTRAMARINE OCEAN ACTION SUMMIT TO ADDRESS REGENERATIVE OCEAN SOLUTIONS
The annual summit aims to inspire action and solutions to ensure a healthy, vibrant, and resilient ocean.
NECKER ISLAND, BVI – February 3 - 5, 2021
ULTRAMARINE – an action-minded coalition of scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, artists, explorers, and athletes founded by Susi Mai and Jeremy McKane – is proud to announce their nonprofit partners for the third annual Ocean Action summit: Oceanic Global and Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
Focusing on collective ocean impact, ULTRAMARINE 2021 will take place February 3-5, 2021, and will feature open-to-the-public virtual workshops for its annual summit, with hosts and speakers live-streaming from Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, and around the world. Speakers include Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Ashlan & Philippe Cousteau, revered Ocean Elder Dr. Sylvia Earle, climate activist and award-winning actress Jane Fonda, and First Lady of Palau Debbie Remengesau.
Ultramarine co-founder Susi Mai stated: “We want to create a culture of ocean conservation in the various sectors our attendees represent. Most ocean conservation gatherings focus very specifically on one or another group of specialists. We continue to create a broad and diverse community of leaders who prioritize taking action, and who will hold each other accountable to the conservation commitments they make.”
This year’s three-day in-person and virtual event will focus on addressing plastic pollution, marine protection, and regenerative practices to drive a blue economy.
February 3: Tackling Plastic Pollution, Presented by Oceanic Global
February 4: Protect Marine Life, 30X30, Presented by SOA and Oceanic Global
February 5: Regenerative Ocean Economy, Presented by SOA
ULTRAMARINE seeks to inspire action and drive solutions to ensure a healthy, vibrant, and resilient ocean. By inspiring a community of thought leaders across industries to bring their skills and interests to ocean conservation, ULTRAMARINE expands the conversation, bringing ocean conservation into a diverse set of fields and broadening the set of capable people making a difference for the ocean.
This virtual event live-stream is complimentary and open to all on Facebook and YouTube. Tickets for access and intimate breakout sessions begin at $99 and are on sale until February 3, 2021 – registration may be completed at www.UltramarineOcean.com.
2021 EVENT PARTNERS
- RE-WATCH OUR 2020 LIVE SHOWREPLAY FROM MAY 30, 2020
9:00 AM - ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME ULTRAMARINE 2020
ULTRAMARINE OCEAN ACTION SUMMIT is a special event designed to build community to take action around ocean conservation.
PRESS RELEASE
January 31, 2020
WE DID IT !!!
January 25 - 30, 2020 - British Virgin Islands
ULTRAMARINE, an eclectic community of scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, artists, explorers, and athletes founded by Susi Mai and Jeremy McKane with the support of Ocean Unite, gathered once again on Necker Island in the BVI to take action on ocean conservation. Global ocean conservation leaders and luminaries including Ocean Unite CEO Karen Sack, First Lady of Palau Debbie Remengesau, TV personality Danni Washington, and diver-explorers Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau led discussions and presented the urgent issues, opportunities, new findings, and top priorities to be addressed in the effort to meet the ’30x30’ initiative.
Susi Mai stated: “We want to create a culture of ocean conservation in the various sectors our attendees represent. Most ocean conservation gatherings preach to one or another choir. We wanted to create a diverse community of leaders who prioritize taking action, and who will hold each other accountable to the conservation commitments they make.”
One of many highlights was the immediate action taken to form the “BVI Pledge,” which was inspired by the world-leading example set by the island nation of Palau. The Palau Pledge requires visitors to the island nation to sign a pledge in their passports upon entry not to damage or exploit the natural resources of the country. Together, these pledges will help to ensure the protection of local ecosystems and biodiversity in both regions. Both Palau and the BVI will stand as beacons, lighting the path to conservation for other nations around the world.
The strong bonds of a shared and urgent passion formed among the members are already producing results. The annual ULTRAMARINE gathering is next scheduled for early February 2021. The group will return to Necker Island to welcome new members, catalog accomplishments, and set out new goals.
COMMITMENT TO OCEAN ACTION WITH A MISSION TO PROTECT 30% BY 2030.
Our oceans are in trouble and it is our duty to protect them.We’re on the brink of shutting off our own life support system.
The oceans are undergoing an onslaught from every angle. Global warming and acidification. Commercial fishing operations. Plastic pollution.
The Ocean Summit, now UltraMarine Ocean Summit, on Necker Island was created by Jeremy McKane and Susi Mai.
The idea was to bring actionists from all around the world in four main categories.
Ocean Impact InvestorsOcean Tech Entrepreneurs
Policy Makers
Artists and Storytellers
Our inaugural Ocean Summit on Necker Island occurred on February 1-3, 2019. Over 70 people from 10 different countries came together not to discuss ideas but to discuss action. Our hope is to make a dent in protecting these oceans each year.
Based on the last extensive study published in Science Magazine, the Oceans could be dead by 2048 based on current rates of exploitation - and since then things have only accelerated.
Together with Sir Richard Branson and a school of ocean friends, we will host an event bringing together luminaries from all walks of life to have a serious conversation about what we need to do next.
Our mission is to catalyze action in an environment curated to form a community of mutual support.
2020 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
SIR RICHARD BRANSON
VIRGIN GROUP
DEBBIE REMENGESAU
FIRST LADY OF PALAU
ASHLAN AND PHILIPPE COUSTEAU
DANNI WASHINGTON
JEAN OELWANG
VIRGIN UNITE
KAREN SACK
OCEAN UNITE
SAFIYA SAWNEY
KIM TAKEUCHI
UNITE BVI
EVENT VIDEOS