Humans tend to view the ocean as an infinite resource. Covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, the oceans' vastness makes it hard to believe they could be vulnerable to human exploitation. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that our oceans are suffering. Many species are experiencing accelerating and unsustainable population declines. Even more troubling, the number of species listed as endangered is rising. These include dolphins, whales, seabirds, sharks, salmon and sea turtles, to name just a few. Although threats to marine life are less visible than those faced by land-based animals, marine creatures are equally, if not more, vulnerable to problems such as habitat destruction, pollution and overfishing. As a result, species that have taken millions of years to evolve, and are critical to all ecosystems, continue to disappear from areas where they once prospered.

Every time you purchase a KOR One, you are donating to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a global non-profit dedicated to ending the illegal destruction of marine habitat and the slaughter of marine wildlife. Founded in 1977, Sea Shepherd uses an innovative, direct action approach that involves investigating, documenting and, when necessary, confronting illegal activity. Today, Sea Shepherd's most visible campaign is its fight against illegal whaling (documented on the TV program "Whale Wars"). Equally important are Sea Shepherd's campaigns to protect dolphins, sharks and seals against illegal slaughter. Sea Shepherd is also actively involved in protecting important wildlife habitats, such as the Galapagos islands.

"The problem is that we have all of the rules, regulations and treaties that we need to protect the world's oceans and the marine life in them, but we don't have any enforcement"
-Captain Paul Watson, President and Founder, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society