Who we are

Oceano Azul is an international foundation, launched in 2016 with the ambition to create a whole new level of connection, action and impact for ocean sustainability at strategic decision-making level, and transform global perceptions around what the ocean represents.

We are here to serve the ocean.

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The high seas have a legal framework. They now need political will.

An intricate feather star with vibrant orange arms and black accents clings to a coral branch underwater, set against a deep blue ocean background.

The ocean. Source of life. Source of a thriving planet.

Scientists, informed policymakers, and perceptive individuals know exactly what needs to be done to protect it.

At Oceano Azul Foundation we are here to serve the ocean with focus and purpose.

Joining the dots, championing integrated visions so that knowledge becomes action, and frameworks are not papers but the new way things are done.

A vibrant underwater scene of a colorful school of fish swimming over a coral reef. Sunlight filters through the clear blue water, highlighting the lush marine life.

We make way for action – timely, collaborative, effective, and impactful.

Until the day the ocean’s vitality no longer relies on intervention. When its health is part of every policy and decision as a fundamental concept, not an afterthought.

Until the ocean is consistently protected, respected, and valued.

Close-up of an octopus tentacle with purple and blue hues

Until the day the ocean no longer needs us, we will be here.

And when that day arrives, we will have reached our ultimate goal.

That moment cannot come soon enough.

The Founders

Oceano Azul Foundation was founded by dos Santos Family with a clear mission: to protect and restore ocean health.

Since its founding, Oceano Azul Foundation has been a catalyst for change, leading initiatives that address some of the world’s most critical issues. Our work is built on the understanding that the health of our ocean is inextricably linked to the health of our planet and the future of humanity.

Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos

With its business roots dating back to the late 19th century, the acquisition of Estabelecimentos Jerónimo Martins & Filho, in 1921, transformed Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos (SFMS) into an international holding that manages a diversified portfolio of investments across several sectors, including distribution, manufacturing, agrifood, specialised retail, citizenship and the environment.

SFMS employs more than 140,000 people and serves over 300 million consumers in several countries, mainly in Poland, Colombia, Portugal and Brazil, through its subsidiaries.

Jerónimo Martins is SFMS’s main investment and, according to Deloitte’s Global Powers of Retailing 2025, ranks 25^th among food retailers worldwide. Operating primarily in Poland, Colombia and Portugal, its main businesses are Biedronka (leading food retailer in Poland), Ara (network of discount stores in Colombia), Pingo Doce (supermarket leader in Portugal) and Recheio (cash & carry leader in Portugal). Jerónimo Martins also places a strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility, as demonstrated by its performance in the CDP assessments, being the first retailer in the world to achieve the highest CDP rating across the Climate, Water and Forests programmes.

SFMS has had a historical joint venture with Unilever since 1949, which includes Unilever FIMA in Portugal, and Gallo Worldwide in Portugal and Brazil, which is the third largest brand in the global olive oil market.SFMS also owns JMD, Portugal’s leading food distributor, which represents and distributes food and non-food brands.

In 2017, SFMS established Movendo Capital, an investment company focused on managing investments in companies located in Europe and the USA, mostly within the food retail value chain and branded consumer goods sectors.

Citizenship and sustainability are also main guidelines for SFMS’s investments. In 2009, SFMS shareholders set up Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos, with the goal of strengthening civil society through the study and debate of Portuguese society, while promoting human rights, freedom and democracy.

In 2014, SFMS decided to strengthen its environmental responsibility pillar by establishing Oceano Azul Foundation, whose mission is to address global sustainability from the ocean’s point of view.

Throughout its history, SFMS has sought to remain faithful to its values. Integrity, discernment, social participation, unity and worldliness are the values imprinted by its current shareholders – the heirs of the founder, Francisco Manuel dos Santos.

Silhouette of a person in front of a large aquarium tank. Rays, sharks, and fish swim amid blue water and sunlit beams

Oceanário de Lisboa & the Foundation

Oceano Azul Foundation has held the concession to explore Oceanário de Lisboa since 2015, for a period of 30 years. Oceanário de Lisboa not only contributes financially — with all its distributed profits reverting to the Foundation — but is also an extremely important asset in fulfilling its mission to serve the ocean.

By creating an emotional connection with millions of visitors, Oceanário de Lisboa aims to ignite a powerful lifelong connection between people and the ocean, inviting everyone to embrace the ocean’s vital role in sustaining all life on our planet.

As part of an extensive international network of aquariums, it also supports research and conservation efforts that enhance our understanding of marine species and ecosystems.

Oceanário de Lisboa’s global reach and expertise enable Oceano Azul Foundation to:

Inspire a lasting connection with the ocean by showcasing its beauty and importance to almost 1.5 million visitors annually.
Strengthen public awareness of marine conservation efforts through impactful communication and outreach.
Advance ocean literacy by benefiting from Oceanário de Lisboa’s well-established educational programmes, which reach over 100,000 children and adults every year, nurturing a new generation of ocean advocates.
Leverage expert knowledge, drawing on the experience of over 30 marine biologists, as well as specialists in education, conservation, and communication.

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Leadership

Oceano Azul Foundation is guided by a distinguished group of ocean experts, renowned academics, and influential figures with deep knowledge of international policy, conservation, and governance. Their collective expertise ensures that we remain at the forefront of ocean conservation and advocacy.