Origin story

Blue Cradle was born in April 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in New Zealand, and incorporated as a Charitable Trust on June 4th, 2020.

‘The Blue Cradle’ was initially a blue economy focused documentary series set in the cradle of biodiversity, the coral triangle. Imagined by James Nikitine, its Founder then made the decision to incorporate a nonprofit, in a decisive moment which meant he would stay in Aotearoa New Zealand during the pandemic instead of traveling home to Europe.

The idea to set up an organization came from his professional experience working in the nonprofit sector in Geneva. It also came from the realization that the ocean is not only suffering major consequences from the climate and biodiversity crises, but is also a fundamental solution. It needs to be taught in different knowledge systems, learned by many audiences, and communicated effectively and widely.

Through research, ocean literacy education, and importantly by communicating these solutions, the Blue Cradle Foundation is participating in the scaling of the sustainable, regenerative blue economy. As the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is well underway, there is a real  opportunity to invest in marine research and ocean education, to create a sustainable, safe and healthy future for the next generations.