Share

Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation grants $2 million for ocean conservation

accreditation

Actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio's conservation foundation said on Thursday it has awarded a $2 million grant to establish marine reserves and to stop overfishing.

DiCaprio, who was named a Messenger of Peace by the United Nations last month to raise awareness about climate change, said the money provided to Oceans 5 will support marine conservation projects around the globe.

Ocean 5 is an international funders' collaborative that supports groups working on ocean conservation projects.

"The sad truth is that less than two percent of our oceans are fully protected. We need to change that now," DiCaprio, 39, said in a statement.

The Oscar-nominated star of "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "The Aviator" said the funds will support projects to create protected areas in the Pacific Islands and the Arctic, to improve enforcement of fishing regulations in Europe, the United States and Central America, and to protect threatened shark populations.

Last year the foundation awarded a $3 million grant to the World Wildlife Fund to help Nepal increase its tiger population and raised $38.8 million through donations and an art auction at Christie's in New York.

DiCaprio established his foundation in 1998. It aims to protect the environment and preserve the planet's natural resources and wildlife.

Read more:
Marine life drowning in a sea of trash
KZN's Park's elephants to be given contraceptives
Greenpeace gets Lego to dump Shell

Image: Leonardo DiCaprio via Shutterstock

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE