Following World Ocean Day (June 8) and World Ocean Month, INNOCEAN Canada—alongside North American partners INNOCEAN USA and INNOCEAN Mexico—is launching Project .wav, a long-term initiative to support ocean conservation through whale adoption and marine protection.

In collaboration with the non-profit Oceanic Society, all three offices have adopted whales as a symbolic commitment to protecting the world’s oceans—aligned with INNOCEAN’s global identity: We Are Explorers.

The project extends internationally, with INNOCEAN Brazil and INNOCEAN Australia joining the movement by partnering with local marine conservation groups—Amigos da Jubarte in Brazil and Humpbacks & High-Rises in Australia—to adopt whales native to their waters.

“Project .wav is a fun way for us to support an important cause while connecting with our partners around the world,” said John Killam, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Growth Officer at INNOCEAN Canada. “It’s a simple idea, but one that reflects our shared values and our commitment to giving back.”

At the heart of Project .wav is INNOCEAN’s Explorer Code, a shared set of values like Brave Every Wave, Think Big, Act Small, and Kindness At Our Core. These values fuel both creative work and now, a broader commitment to ocean advocacy.

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Meet Keanu Reefs: INNOCEAN Canada’s Whale

INNOCEAN Canada’s adopted humpback whale, Keanu Reefs, has been spotted 12 times since 2005, migrating between Alaska, Canada, and Mexico. His last recorded sighting was in 2017 near California’s Farallon Islands.

Known to researchers as CRC-16741, Keanu can be identified by the unique markings on his fluke—his tail fin—which acts like a fingerprint. His scientific aliases include:

·      FIBB-2BB225

·      HW-MN0501470

·      BREE-545

·      SPLASH-572095

Follow Keanu’s journey here: Happywhale Profile

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One Pod, Many Whales

Project .wav unites INNOCEAN offices around the world, each adopting and naming a whale to reflect their local culture and Explorer spirit:

·      INNOCEAN Canada – Keanu Reefs

·      INNOCEAN USA – Finn

·      INNOCEAN Mexico – Xula

·      INNOCEAN Brazil – Jujuba (adopted via Amigos da Jubarte)

·      INNOCEAN Australia – Byron (adopted via Humpbacks & High-Rises)

Each adoption is a long-term pledge to support marine life and ocean protection, connecting INNOCEAN’s global network through a shared cause.

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This is just the beginning. Project .wav is an ongoing effort to explore new ways of contributing meaningfully to ocean conservation—today, tomorrow, and for years to come.