Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society

05/06/2026

On this milestone birthday—marking 88 years of life and 81 extraordinary years of diving—it remains my greatest privilege, and my life’s mission, to inspire people of all ages and all nations to protect the ocean, our planet’s life-support system. This is, for me, a moral responsibility. I cannot—and will not—stand idly by while the ocean, which sustains all life, is in urgent need of protection.

I am deeply grateful to the many individuals who have inspired my journey—most especially my family, who brought hope, curiosity, and adventure to a world in turmoil. As a young boy, I was immersed in the wonders of the sea alongside my brother Philippe and my mother, Simone Melchior Cousteau, guided by my father, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, whose insatiable curiosity of the ocean shaped our lives.

In 1943, my father and his naval colleagues co-developed the Aqua-Lung, the first successful open-circuit scuba system—an invention that transformed humanity’s ability to explore the underwater world. Through his pioneering work as an oceanographer and filmmaker, including the Academy Award–winning The Silent World and the television series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, he brought the beauty and fragiity of the ocean into the hearts of millions, inspiring a global movement for its protection.

Some of my earliest and most cherished memories are aboard the Calypso, surrounded by an extraordinary community—the “Men of Calypso,” along with scientists, divers, and explorers from around the world. Those voyages were more than expeditions; they were a lifelong education in discovery, respect, and responsibility.

Today, as a “Voice for the Ocean,” I remain convinced that the human species is remarkably capable of adapting and rising to meet great challenges. When faced with urgency, we can mobilize, innovate, and act. This is precisely what is required of us now.

Ocean Futures Society continues answering this call to action—advancing meaningful, multi-year initiatives through 2026 and 2027. Our goal is to harness the power of storytelling to ignite awareness and inspire action across generations—from young people and families to global leaders and decision-makers—strengthening a shared commitment to ocean conservation.

We are equally committed to building collaborative action partnerships with organizations that share our vision for a sustainable future—protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems for generations to come.

Our work spans education, conservation, science, and advocacy. Through programs such as Ambassadors of the Environment and the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program, we empower young people with the knowledge and tools to live more sustainably.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Fiji is an environmentally and culturally oriented family resort, conceived as a global model proving to the business community the economic benefits of environmental concern and design. Expanding the impact of ecological tourism, Ocean Futures Society created L’Aventure Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive Center (Jean-Michel Cousteau Diving), a flagship scuba diving operation at the resort in Fiji.

Ocean Futures Society supports critical efforts to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and defend vulnerable coastal regions. Through partnerships with organizations such as Whale Trust’s Whale Tails Annual Event Maui, Polynesian Voyaging Society, Mission Blue, Ocean Elders, The Natural Resources Defense Council, The Coral Reef Alliance, Heal the Ocean, The Whale Sanctuary Program, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Keep Tahoe Blue.

From the protection of whales and the creation of marine sanctuaries, to advancing responsible ecotourism in places like Fiji and the Maldives, to supporting indigenous knowledge and global exploration initiatives such as the Polynesian Voyaging Society—we are working across disciplines and cultures to drive meaningful change.

Guided by the principle that the decisions we make today must sustain life for generations to come, we continue to advocate for marine protected areas, responsible policies, and a global commitment to safeguarding the oceans inhabitants and ecosystems.

When I look into the eyes of today’s children, I see both hope and responsibility. My commitment to them is unwavering: to do everything in my power to ensure that they—and future generations—can experience the same vibrant, life-giving ocean that has shaped my life.

With my deepest gratitude to each of you—Ocean Futures Society’s dedicated teams, our members, colleagues, friends, and family—for your dedication, your passion, and your love of the ocean.

“Protect The Ocean And You Protect Yourself”

Ocean of Thanks,
Jean-Michel Cousteau

05/06/2026

As I celebrate my 88th on the ocean today along Santa Barbara’s Cote Azur in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Whale Heritage Area we will celebrate Ted Turner’s life extraordinaire! He was an amazing force of nature & inspiration. His extraordinary friendship will always remain one of the greatest gifts to both my father and me. He was not just a supporter of our work, but truly part of our family—sharing in the spirit of discovery, adventure, and our efforts to protect the ocean we all loved so deeply. He will be remembered for his generous heart and his remarkable life, lived with purpose, passion, and vision. As my father always said, “People protect what they love,” and Ted embodied that truth every day. His love for his family was at the center of everything!

And his love for our planet and the ocean. His support was instrumental in everything we accomplished for protecting the ocean the life support of our planet!



Photo: ©Carrie Vonderhaar, Ocean Futures Society

04/22/2026

More whales. More life. More hope. 🐋
Healthy oceans are essential—not just for marine life, but for all of us.

This Earth Day, we’re diving into the powerful role the ocean plays in our future.

Take a look: https://www.oceanfutures.org/news/blog/earth-day-2026

02/25/2026

We are honored to share that Jean-Michel Cousteau is being recognized by the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum at their upcoming gala, The Love Boat Sailing to Alaska.

For decades, Jean-Michel has carried the message of ocean conservation into classrooms, communities, and policy conversations around the world. Through Ocean Futures Society, he has worked to inspire global audiences to see the ocean not as distant wilderness, but as our shared life-support system — regulating climate, circulating carbon, and sustaining communities that depend on healthy waters.

Locally, this work has made a meaningful impact. From helping advance the Santa Barbara Channel’s designation as a Whale Heritage Area to engaging young people through immersive education programs, Jean-Michel’s mission has always been clear:

“Protect the ocean and you protect yourself.”

We are deeply grateful to SBMM for shining a spotlight on ocean education and stewardship. The future of our blue planet depends on connecting the next generation to wonder, science, and action — and that work is more urgent than ever.

Congratulations, Jean-Michel! The voyage continues! 🌊💙

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area

VOICE Magazine: Santa Barbara International Film Festival highlights, local culture, and coastal living in VOICE Magazine. Crisp salt air, blue skies, and mist-kissed mountains set the scene for a ce

01/20/2026

It is Jean-Michel Cousteau’s and Ocean Futures Society’s pleasure collaborating with the (SCCF) for the 8th Annual Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture Series. We are honored to support this important event, presented by an esteemed nonprofit whose mission—“Preserving and Caring for Southwest Florida’s Coastal Ecosystems”—resonates deeply with our own. Jean-Michel Cousteau and Ocean Futures Society (OFS) are truly inspired by SCCF’s enduring commitment to environmental stewardship since its founding in 1967. The breadth of your work—from childhood education through The Sanibel Sea School, water quality research at the Marine Lab, and wildlife monitoring through Coastal Wildlife, to your extensive volunteer engagement, habitat management of nearly 2,000 acres, and advocacy efforts through your Policy Department—is remarkable and deeply impactful.

https://events.humanitix.com/jean-michel-cousteau-mccarthy-lecture

SCCF

01/01/2026

Ocean Futures Society’s Statement of Purpose “A Roadmap for the Future”

For more than two decades, Ocean Futures Society has stood as a global “Voice For The Ocean.” Dedicated to exploring, educating, and inspiring the world to protect and sustain our planet’s vital marine ecosystems. Guided by the legacy and vision of Jean-Michel Cousteau. Evolved into a global platform for “Ocean Partnerships” Through the strength of education, the the power of film, the influence of media, plus the dynamism of direct conservation initiatives, OFS champions a message that transcends borders: that “Protecting The Ocean Is Protecting Ourselves.”

The mission extends beyond Advocacy—it is a “Call To Action” forging partnerships across cultures, disciplines, and generations— inspiring global awareness for the ocean upon which all life depends.

This past year 2025 Ocean Futures Society has continued our expansive collaborative action partnerships with like-minded non-profits and organizations who are taking leadership roles in the evolution of sustainable responsibility committed to protecting the ocean, marine and terrestrial ecosystems for future generations.

It’s a pleasure to share some highlights with you from 2025 a year of hope and courage to act to make a difference.

Read more at: https://www.oceanfutures.org/news/blog/ocean-futures-society-statement

12/22/2025

Happy Holidays! As I walk the beaches of my home in California, the tides are low and the sunsets glow coral against an aqua-blue sky. For me, this is a uniquely powerful time—one that offers an unparalleled opportunity to pause, look up from our busy lives, and reconsider the deeper values that will help secure the destiny of our world.

When we step back and place our lives in relation to the vastness of time, our vision expands. We rediscover a sense of belonging to something far greater than ourselves.

That something is what I call the family of life.

On one level, it is the web of lives immediately around us—a network of love, care, and responsibility in which young and old participate equally. It is within this circle that I have been profoundly fortunate and thankful to be supported by friends, colleagues, partners, and members whose guidance, encouragement, and camaraderie have enriched my life and strengthened my purpose. Together, we have shared not only work, but a voyage of discovery—one shaped by mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to something larger than any one of us.

On another level, the family of life extends beyond our immediate kin to encompass the entire human family. Becoming conscious of our interdependence with all of humankind—not only those who share our nationality, color, or ethnicity—is essential to our survival.

And on yet another level, the family of life embraces the living environment itself. We are bound by a common destiny with all living things. By protecting species diversity, safeguarding habitats, and caring for our oceans and planet, we improve the quality of life not only for the Earth and its creatures—but for ourselves.

As an explorer, diver, filmmaker, environmentalist, and humanitarian, my life’s work has been guided by a desire to break down the walls that separate us from the natural world. Media, for me, is a window into places many may never see or visit. Why is this important? Because what inspires us to act responsibly is not the logic of preservation alone, but our capacity to form an emotional connection.

This truth was beautifully expressed by my dear father, who once told me along the banks of the Amazon River, “Jean-Michel, people protect what they love.”

I believe we must love nature for its own sake. We are nature, after all, and cannot help but love the spark of it that lives within us. Self-acceptance, respect for the dignity of others, and reverence for nature are inextricably linked—and all arise from our capacity to love.

We cannot shape the world outside ourselves in a just and peaceful way unless we nurture our “inner ecology” with love.

Love is our ultimate strength. More than words or numbers, more than atoms or microchips, love is what has allowed us to advance—to build societies capable of gazing across the cosmos and tracing the pathways of time.

We have not always allowed ourselves to be guided by love. Too often, we have been seduced by the illusion that we can dominate and control the world around us.

Yet with love comes understanding—and the humility to recognize that we are both vulnerable and strong. Love gives us the courage to face our difficult past and the confidence to step forward, together, into the great adventure of the future.

As we arrive at the holidays and the quiet turning of the winter solstice, we are reminded that this is a season of reflection, humility, and renewal. It is a time when the light may seem distant, yet its return is assured—just as hope is renewed when we choose love, understanding, and responsibility over fear and division. Love teaches us that we are at once vulnerable and resilient, individual yet inseparable from one another and from the living world that sustains us.

I offer my deepest gratitude to every Ocean Futures Society member, all our friends, colleagues, partners, and fellow travelers who have joined me on this lifelong voyage of discovery—those whose guidance, camaraderie, and shared commitment have strengthened our work and enriched our journey. And I thank, from the heart, everyone everywhere who has supported the protection of our oceans—our planet’s life-support system—and all life they sustain. May this season inspire us to carry forward with renewed purpose, compassion, and faith in our collective ability to shape a just, peaceful, and living future.

SEAsons Greetings! — JMC

12/02/2025

🌊 This Giving Tuesday, Your Impact Doubles! 🌊

Our friends at Food Fleet have generously offered to match every dollar donated—up to $5,000! That means your gift goes twice as far in supporting Jean-Michel Cousteau’s mission to protect our ocean, inspire the next generation of stewards, and create a healthier planet for us all.

Every contribution—big or small—helps us continue our science, education, and conservation efforts around the world. 💙

👉 Donate today and make twice the impact: www.oceanfutures.org/donate

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we protect the ocean.

10/02/2025

Jane Goodall and I were born in the same generation, each of us following a deep passion that shaped our lives’ work—Jane in the forests of Africa, and I immersed into the oceans of our Blue Water Planet. While she devoted her life to understanding and protecting chimpanzees, I dedicated mine to exploring and safeguarding marine ecosystems and the magnificent creatures of the sea.

I shared the profound honor of meeting Jane once, at a conference in Manaus in the heart of the Amazon with the love of my life who immediately recognized her. That encounter remains one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. I was mesmerized, not only by her presence, but by the quiet strength and wisdom she radiated—qualities shared by only a few rare individuals who have truly changed the course of our world. Jane is one of those extraordinary people, and it was a privilege to spend time with her.

We were both younger then, born and raised in Europe with a natural curiosity that drew us toward one another’s work— Jane courageously paved the path for future generations of girls to follow their dreams and pursue their inspirations, no matter how unconventional. She the groundbreaking pioneer who transformed our understanding of animal behavior by revealing that chimpanzees use tools, hunt, and share complex social structures; and I, the ocean explorer who became the first boy to scuba dive with my father, mother, and brother then sought to carry forward my father’s legacy of discovery and to inspire new generations to respect and protect life in the sea.

Though our paths led us into different realms—her into the forests, mine into the oceans—we were united by a shared calling: to give voice to the voiceless and to protect the fragile balance of nature. Jane Goodall remains, to me, a woman extraordinaire and one of the most inspiring people I have ever had the honor to meet.

With her passing, the world has lost not only a pioneering scientist, environmentalist, humanitarian, diplomat but also a beacon of hope and compassion.

For me personally, I will always carry the memory of our meeting in the Amazon. I will deeply miss her presence, her wisdom, and her gentle power. She reminded us all of our responsibility to protect all life, to ignite the sense of wonder empowering knowledge, and to convince everyone of us that actions have the power to create a healthy future for our Blue Green Planet Ocean.

Thank-you to the Jane Goodall Institute to carry on Jane's Legendary lifelong mission.

Dr. Jane Goodall the Jane Goodall Institute

09/26/2025

My deepest thanks to everyone who made it possible to honor my mother, Simone Melchior-Cousteau, as one of this year’s woman inductees into the 2025 International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. It is an extraordinary privilege to see her name join the ranks of these four remarkable women, including our dear friend Anne Hasson.

My mother was affectionately known as La Bergère — the shepherdess — guiding and protecting the Cousteau team through uncharted waters and life’s great adventures. Her courage, wisdom, and pioneering spirit opened doors for generations of explorers and ocean advocates. Her light continues to guide us beneath the waves, inspiring us to be stewards of the ocean and caretakers of its future.

I send my warmest congratulations to each of these extraordinary women, the 2025 inductees. My family and I are profoundly honored by this recognition, and I know my mother would be deeply proud to stand among such inspiring pioneers and trailblazers.

The 2025 ISDHF inductees:
Simone Melchior-Cousteau (France – Early Pioneer)
Michelle Cove (Bahamas)
Anne Hasson (United States)
Rosemary E. Lunn (United Kingdom)
Hidy Yu Hiu-Tung (Hong Kong – Trailblazer)

May my mother’s spirit — the shepherdess — continue to guide us all toward a future protecting the Ocean our planet’s life support system inspiring future generations to immerse into exploration, discovery, and protection.

— Jean-Michel Cousteau

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