Saving the Blue – Terms of Use
Effective Date: [1st October, 2025]
Welcome to Saving the Blue (“we,” “us,” or “our”). These Terms of Use (“Terms”) explain how you can use our website — www.savingtheblue.org — and the content we share. By using the site, you agree to follow these Terms. If you don’t agree, please don’t use the site.
1. About Us
Saving the Blue is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We work to conserve and restore threatened marine species — including sharks — and the ecosystems they depend on. Our website shares educational materials, research updates, photos, and blogs to help people learn about ocean conservation and support our work.
2. Using Our Website
You’re welcome to browse our site, read our content, and share it for personal or educational purposes.
Please don’t:
Use our site for illegal or harmful activities;
Copy or republish our materials for commercial purposes without permission;
Post or send content that’s offensive or misleading; or
Try to access or damage our systems.
If you’re unsure whether something’s okay, just reach out and ask — we’re happy to clarify.
3. Educational and Research Content
We share information about our research, projects, and preliminary findings to educate and inspire. This information is for learning purposes only and may change as our research continues. If you share or reference our materials, please credit Saving the Blue and link back to the original page. Do not use our research summaries or images in a way that misrepresents our work or implies endorsement.
4. Images and Media
All photos, videos, and graphics on our site are owned by Saving the Blue or used with permission. You may share them for educational or nonprofit purposes if you:
Keep them unaltered,
Give proper credit to Saving the Blue, and
Don’t use them commercially.
If you’d like to use our photos or research materials in publications, presentations, or media projects, please contact us for written permission.
5. Blogs and Contributions
Our blog shares updates from our team, scientists, and guest writers. Guest opinions are their own and may not reflect the official views of Saving the Blue.
If you submit a story, comment, or image to us, you agree that:
You own the content or have permission to share it, and
You give Saving the Blue permission to use it (for example, in our website, social media, or newsletters).
We may edit or remove content that isn’t appropriate or doesn’t fit our mission.
6. Donations
We’re deeply grateful for your support! When you donate through our website:
Your payment is processed securely by trusted third-party partners (like PayPal or Stripe).
We don’t store your credit card or bank information.
Donations are generally non-refundable, unless a technical error occurs.
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donation may be tax-deductible. We’ll provide a receipt for your records, if requested, however please check with your tax advisor for details.
7. Intellectual Property
Everything on our site — including text, photos, logos, and graphics — belongs to Saving the Blue or is used with permission. You may not copy or reuse our content for commercial purposes without written approval. If you’d like to feature our materials or research, please contact us — we love collaborating on educational and conservation-minded projects.
8. Privacy
We value your privacy. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information (for example, if you sign up for updates, expedition or make a donation). By using our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
9. Links to Other Sites
We sometimes link to other organizations, partners, or resources. These links are for your convenience, but we’re not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those external sites.
10. Disclaimer
Our website and its content are provided “as is.” We do our best to keep information accurate and up to date, but we can’t guarantee it will always be error-free or available. Saving the Blue isn’t responsible for any losses or damages that may result from using our site or relying on its information.
11. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent allowed by law, Saving the Blue and its team (including directors, staff, and volunteers) won’t be held responsible for any damages related to your use of our website or its content.
If you’re unhappy with the site, your best remedy is to stop using it.
12. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, USA. Any disputes related to the site or these Terms will be handled in Florida courts.
13. Updates to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we’ll update the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. Your continued use of the site means you accept the updated version.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms or anything on our site, please reach out:
📧 contact@savingtheblue.org
📍 Saving the Blue 4611 S University, Box 121. Davie, Florida, 33328, USA
Saving the Blue – Privacy Policy
Effective Date: [October 1st 2025]
Summary: At Saving the Blue, we respect your privacy as much as we respect the ocean. We collect only the information needed to support our conservation, education, and research work — including details you share when donating, signing up, or joining a research expedition. Sensitive information (like health or passport details) is kept strictly confidential, securely stored, and never shared or sold. Our goal is simple: to protect your data with the same care we give to the marine life we study.
1. Who We Are
Saving the Blue is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving and restoring threatened marine species — including sharks — and the ecosystems they depend on. Our mission is built on transparency, education, and respect — values we extend to how we handle your personal information.
2. Information We Collect
We collect only the information we need to provide you with a safe, effective, and meaningful experience. This may include:
A. Information You Provide
· Contact details — when you sign up for our newsletter, contact us, or fill out a form (name, email, phone number, etc.)
· Donation information — when you make a contribution (name, email, billing info, and donation amount)
· Volunteer or event details — if you express interest in participating in our programs
· Research expedition or sponsorship form data — when you apply for a sponsorship position or participate in one of our research expeditions, we may collect additional personal information such as:
Full name and contact details
Date of birth or age
Health or medical information (for safety and emergency preparedness)
Passport details or travel identification (for travel arrangements and research permits)
Emergency contact information
Experience or skill information (e.g., diving certification, fieldwork experience)
We collect this information only for legitimate organizational purposes — such as ensuring participant safety, coordinating logistics, and complying with travel or research regulations. We do not share, sell, or publish this information. Access is restricted to authorized Saving the Blue staff and trusted partners directly involved in expedition coordination and safety.
B. Automatic Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect limited technical data such as:
· Your IP address and browser type
· The pages you visit and how long you stay
· General location (city or region, not precise GPS)
This helps us understand how people use our site and how we can make it better.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
· Respond to your questions or messages
· Process donations and send receipts
· Manage research expedition applications and participation
· Ensure participant safety and meet legal travel or research requirements
· Share updates, newsletters, and stories (if you opt in)
· Improve our website and outreach
· Comply with legal, safety, and financial obligations
We never sell or rent your personal data.
4. Research Expedition Forms and Sensitive Information
Saving the Blue recognizes that some of the information collected for research expeditions is sensitive, such as health, passport, or emergency contact details. We handle this data with the highest level of care and confidentiality.
We follow these principles:
· We collect only the information necessary for expedition planning, safety, and compliance.
· Sensitive data is stored securely in password-protected systems and accessible only to authorized staff or designated research partners.
· Sensitive data is not shared, sold, or used for marketing purposes.
· Information is retained only as long as needed for safety, reporting, or legal requirements, and then deleted securely.
· Health and personal data are never disclosed to other participants or the public without your explicit consent.
Your trust and safety are our top priorities — both in the field and online.
5. Donations and Payment Security
When you donate through our website, your payment is processed securely by trusted third-party partners (like PayPal or Stripe). We do not store your credit card or bank details on our servers.
We only work with payment processors that meet high security and privacy standards.
6. Email and Communication Preferences
If you sign up for our newsletter, you’ll receive occasional emails about our research, projects, and events. You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of our emails or by contacting us directly. We keep our messages relevant and never flood your inbox.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
A. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences and improve your experience.
B. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies to:
· Understand how visitors use our site
· Improve site performance and usability
· Remember your preferences (like donation form settings or cookie consent)
We don’t use cookies to track you across other sites or collect personal information for advertising purposes.
C. Your Choices
You can choose to accept or reject cookies using your browser settings. Most browsers let you delete cookies or prevent them from being stored. If you disable cookies, some parts of our website may not function perfectly — but you’ll still be able to browse and learn.
D. Cookie Notice
We use cookies to make your experience better and to help us understand how our website is used. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies as described in this Privacy Policy. You can adjust your browser settings anytime.
8. Sharing of Information
We may share limited information only when necessary to:
· Process donations (via secure payment processors)
· Comply with legal or regulatory requirements
· Work with service providers who help us manage the website, data, or newsletters
These partners are trusted, bound by confidentiality, and required to protect your data. We do not share, sell, or rent your personal information for marketing or commercial purposes.
9. Protecting Your Information
We use industry-standard security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Sensitive information — such as health or passport data — is stored in secure systems and accessible only to authorized personnel. While no system is 100% secure, we are committed to doing everything reasonably possible to protect your information.
10. Links to Other Websites
Our site may link to external websites for educational or informational purposes. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies when you visit them.
11. Children’s Privacy
Our site is designed for general audiences and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If a child provides us information without parental consent, please contact us — we’ll delete it promptly.
12. Your Rights and Choices
You have the right to:
· Access or update your personal information
· Request deletion of your data (where legally allowed)
· Opt out of receiving communications
To make a request, email us at [contact@savingtheblue.org] and we’ll respond promptly.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as our work evolves or as laws change. When we do, we’ll update the “Effective Date” above. Your continued use of the website means you accept the latest version.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please reach out to us:
📧 contact@savingtheblue.org
📍 Saving the Blue 4611 S University, Box 121. Davie, Florida, 33328, USA
We’re grateful for your trust and support as we work together to protect and restore our blue planet.