The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) is a division of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SeMBR) which strives to stimulate community awareness of the marine environment through education and promote wise, sustainable use of marine resources through scientific investigation. ORI's VISION is 'to be the leading coastal and marine ecosystems research organisation in southern Africa and the West Indian Ocean, attracting world-class staff to a world-leading facility. " ORI's MISSION is "to monitor, sustain and improve the environmental health of coastal and marine ecosystems to the benefit of all.

The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SeMBR) incorporates uShaka Sea World and the Oceanographic Research Institute. SeMBR fulfils this mission by operating the following divisions: *The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) *uShaka Sea World *uShaka Sea World Education Centre.

WESSA is a South African environmental conservation NGO.