Ocean Defenders Alliance works to protect marine ecosystems across California and Hawaii through hands-on cleanup and prevention. The organization conducts underwater cleanups around the Hawaiian Islands and California coast, removing fishing gear, traps, and entanglement hazards that threaten marine life. Their work also extends inland, clearing waste from watersheds and wetlands before it can reach the ocean. 

Each year, Ocean Defenders Alliance removes thousands of pounds of marine debris and clears tens of thousands of feet of fishing line from reefs and the seafloor, helping protect the habitats and marine life that depend on healthy waterways. Beyond direct cleanup, the organization helps shape policy aimed at creating cleaner oceans for the future, combining hands-on conservation work with efforts to support long-term environmental improvements.