TOOL DeepDive: Christine Ward-Paige, eOceans

We’re diving in with eOceans founder Dr Christine Ward-Paige to explore how eOceans is transforming monitoring, science, and decision-making with automated, transparent data analysis and dissemination—driving smart decisions and measurable actions for our ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Christine seeks partners—from academia, government agencies, consulting firms, NGOs, research institutions, and tech companies—to drive data-driven, equitable decisions that are measurable, accountable, and impactful.

Could you be the next collaborator—or know the perfect partner—to help forge alliances that regenerate our ocean and planet?

Who is Christine?

Dr. Christine Ward-Paige, scientist and founder of eOceans, is transforming the way the world measures, understands, and manages biodiversity and ecosystems—spanning wildlife, biodiversity, fisheries, protected areas,human uses, policies, threats, and more.

The Purpose DeepDive

❓Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to found eOceans?

Christine: I began my career as a scientist, focusing on coastal pollution, endangered and commercial species, biodiversity, protected areas, and threats to our ocean and environment. Over 20 years, I worked across academia, government, tourism, fisheries, and NGOs, producing highly cited research that influenced international policy.

But I saw a critical flaw in how science was conducted—it was manual, siloed, and too slow to keep up with the rapid changes happening in the real world. Our discoveries lagged years behind the impacts of pollution, overfishing, misaligned policies, and poorly placed protected areas, for example, leaving gaps that fueled misinformation and delayed action.

When my daughter was born, I was inspired to make the change I had long envisioned. I committed to creating a solution that could address these challenges and unite the world to work together towards common goals.

That’s how eOceans was born—a platform designed to unlock billions of dollars in time, data, and resources, enabling faster, science-based decisions to regenerate ecosystems, restore equity and biodiversity, and safeguard the future of our planet.

❓What inspired your passion for working in this field, and what have been the biggest challenges and surprises?

Christine: My love for nature began as a child—sharks, corals, turtles, wetlands, boreal forests, and every ecosystem in between. But it wasn’t until I worked alongside elder scientists and explorers that I truly grasped how much the ocean—and all ecosystems—had changed over time. I saw firsthand the toll human activity was taking on the planet, and it sparked something in me: a drive to not just understand these impacts, but to do something about them.

Over the next 20 years as a scientist, I became all too familiar with the biggest barrier to progress: the slow, fragmented way science works. Knowledge often takes years to be generated and even longer to be acted upon. By the time the information reaches decision-makers, the damage has already been done. I realized that this wasn’t just a local problem—it was a global one.

Environmental degradation was putting everyone at risk, and we were losing precious time. That’s when I changed my career trajectory to become a ‘startup founder’.

So, I created eOceans. A platform designed to break down the barriers of outdated science, delivering real-time, transparent data analysis and insights that empowers teams to make fast, impactful decisions.

And the biggest surprise along this journey? The response to eOceans.

Watching our beta testers use the platform to create innovative programs and showcase their work—like at the Slingshot Awards—has been beyond humbling. It’s proof that the world is ready for a tool like this, and that we’re on the right track to create real change.

The Vision for the future

❓ What’s your vision for the future of eOceans and ocean conservation?

Christine: For the past 50 years, we have relied on reactionary approaches—such as fishing moratoriums, shark finning bans, and culls.

While these steps are important, they often lack clear, measurable goals and the ability to track real progress. I want to change that.

At eOceans, our vision is to move beyond temporary fixes and create a new framework—one that sets data-driven, actionable goals with measurable outcomes. Imagine a world where policies and conservation aren’t just about reacting to crisis after crisis, but about taking proactive, science-backed steps that regenerate and sustain ecosystems in real time.

Our platform isn’t just about monitoring and setting goals; it’s about providing the tools to continually track progress, adjust strategies, and create lasting change. My ultimate goal is to leave behind a legacy of empowered communities and thriving ecosystems, where informed policies and community engagement work hand-in-hand to ensure sustainable, vibrant ecosystems for generations to come.

The Deep gratitude

❓ Who supported you in the early days, and how did they help?

Christine: In the early days of eOceans, I was fortunate to have incredible supporters who believed in the vision and played key roles in shaping the app and platform. Liz Ferguson at Ocean Science Analytics, Jess Hodge at Maldives Underwater Initiative (Six Senses luxury resort), and Tahirah Naicker at H.O.P.E. – Help Oceans Protect Earth were all instrumental in helping get eOceans off the ground. They, and their teams, saw the value of the app and platform right away, set up projects, and stuck with us, pushing through challenges to help build the highly capable app and platform we have today.

It’s inspiring to see innovative programs developed using eOceans, with some even being showcased at global events like the EarthShot Awards.

As we move forward, I’m excited to bring even more advocates on board and continue expanding our impact, with the help of these early champions who laid the foundation for our success.

https://christine-ward-paige.medium.com/

The request to TOOL Community

❓ What kind of partners and collaborators are you looking for as you scale?

Christine: At eOceans, we’re seeking partners who share our vision for accelerating equitable conservation and harnessing data-driven insights to address global challenges. Our ideal collaborators include:

Protected area funders and biodiversity investors: Organizations and individuals dedicated to supporting the regeneration of ecosystems, funding conservation initiatives, and promoting biodiversity credits or environmental insurance models.

First Nations: Leaders of socio-cultural-ecological movements who seek actionable data to drive impactful and efficient change, with a focus on protecting traditional knowledge and practices.

Government agencies and NGOs: Those committed to building thriving blue economies, sustainable fisheries, and healthy ecosystems through inclusive, transparent, and trusted decision-making.

Technology companies: Innovators looking to advance technologies and leverage automated, streamlined data analysis to meet customer needs effectively while accelerating innovation.

Research institutions and universities: Focused on delivering scalable, high-impact solutions that prioritize pressing socio-ecological challenges and foster collaboration for global good.

Tourism and ecotourism operators: Aiming to enhance credibility, engage visitors, and protect livelihoods by mitigating the risks of poor decisions and harmful activities in natural spaces.

Fisheries: Those looking to ensure the sustainability of their resources,using real-time data to make informed decisions that safeguard future fish stocks and coastal economies.

Advocacy organizations: Groups striving to amplify conservation efforts and connect with action-oriented, engaged audiences to inspire meaningful change.

Together, we can harness the power of real-time data and innovative, collaborative solutions to make lasting, positive impacts on our oceans, biodiversity, and ecosystems.

❓ What challenges are you currently facing, and how can TOOL support you?

Christine: Our biggest challenge right now is expanding our reach and spreading the word that eOceans is here to unlock $291 billion in time and data globally, ensuring that scientists and organizations are not reinventing the wheel and the $24 trillion in ocean assets are well-managed.

We need to connect with impact-driven leaders who face the challenges we address, have the budgets to implement solutions, and share our vision for transparent and accountable decision-making.

To overcome this, we’re focusing on targeted marketing, building relationships through impactful conversations, and showcasing the success stories from our beta testers. TOOL can support us by connecting us with key stakeholders and organizations that would benefit from our platform, helping us broaden our reach and accelerate the global adoption of eOceans.

❓ How does eOceans approach diversity and inclusion?

Christine: Diversity and inclusion are central to our mission. We are committed to building a diverse team through equitable hiring practices and fostering a workplace where every voice is respected and valued. Beyond our team, we actively collaborate with Indigenous and community-led organizations, recognizing their leadership and deep understanding of what is needed for effective marine conservation.

Our goal is to make science and the decisions made from science more inclusive, equitable, and impactful for all communities.

❓ What would you like to say to potential collaborators and supporters?

Christine: The health of our planet’s ecosystems is crucial for our survival, and urgent action is needed. eOceans unites teams, delivers real-time insights, and drives measurable progress across ecosystems.

invite investors, philanthropic funders, policymakers, businesses, and researchers to join us in this mission. Together, we can create a sustainable future for generations to come. eOceans is the solution needed to drive the smart, impactful change our planet urgently requires.

https://www.eoceans.app/