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← OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC.

What the amendment changed

Compared with the return it replaced , filed 26 February 2026. matched by us Only the return's totals, a 990-PF's accounting method and the names listed in Part VII (Part VIII on a 990-PF) are compared. We relate returns by organization, tax year and form, and order them by each return's own timestamp; the filer's own "amended return" checkbox is a separate fact.

Those are the same on the two returns, so the amendment changed something else.

Totals

Total revenue
$48,811,949
Total expenses
$49,486,289
Contributions and grants received
$45,956,622
Grants paid
$1,618,417
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$2,097,120
Other revenue
$758,207
Total assets, end of year
$97,908,255
Total liabilities, end of year
$11,564,712
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$86,343,543
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$36,654,443
Management and general expenses
$5,653,780
Fundraising expenses
$7,178,066
Program service expenses (Part III)
$36,654,443

Program services were 74.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,084,012

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $44,872,610

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $403,221

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,845,948 · excluded $1,845,948

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $470,064 · excluded $470,064

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $39,835

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $8,328

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $31,507

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $31,507 · excluded $31,507

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $5,942,497

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $5,416,441 · other assets $274,884

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $526,056 · other assets -$274,884

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $251,172 · excluded $251,172

  • 11a · Other revenue: OTHER REVENUE

    total $256,636 · excluded $256,636

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $256,636

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $1,313,767 · program services $1,313,767

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $304,650 · program services $304,650

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,924,636 · program services $1,455,409 · management and general $233,119 · fundraising $236,108

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $18,953,933 · program services $14,316,236 · management and general $2,315,714 · fundraising $2,321,983

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $896,551 · program services $681,471 · management and general $104,444 · fundraising $110,636

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $2,300,130 · program services $1,748,027 · management and general $268,321 · fundraising $283,782

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,433,069 · program services $1,088,849 · management and general $167,457 · fundraising $176,763

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $494,923 · program services $370,236 · management and general $52,955 · fundraising $71,732

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $200,188 · management and general $200,188

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $362,617 · program services $362,617

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $413,400 · fundraising $413,400

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $185,835 · management and general $185,835

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $8,268,435 · program services $6,564,383 · management and general $783,059 · fundraising $920,993

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $1,027,606 · program services $876,908 · management and general $18,323 · fundraising $132,375

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $5,704,737 · program services $3,294,443 · management and general $523,997 · fundraising $1,886,297

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $180,211 · program services $124,512 · management and general $35,527 · fundraising $20,172

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,375,875 · program services $998,983 · management and general $224,040 · fundraising $152,852

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,525,351 · program services $1,361,609 · management and general $52,670 · fundraising $111,072

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $824,877 · program services $736,329 · management and general $28,483 · fundraising $60,065

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $333,455 · program services $271,544 · management and general $36,904 · fundraising $25,007

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $123,906 · program services $272 · management and general $123,634

  • 24a · Other expenses: SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $1,140,999 · program services $662,169 · management and general $298,519 · fundraising $180,311

  • 24b · Other expenses: LIST RENTAL EXPENSES

    total $197,138 · program services $122,029 · management and general $591 · fundraising $74,518

  • 26 · Joint costs (an allocation of the lines above)

    total $7,155,260 · program services $4,429,106 · management and general $21,466 · fundraising $2,704,688

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $5,069,351 · end of year $2,139,337

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $7,543,161 · end of year $8,577,810

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $10,763,867 · end of year $11,166,107

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $86,577 · end of year $195,625

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $890,609 · end of year $998,257

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $2,360,372

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $1,145,196

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,298,537 · end of year $1,215,176

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $62,923,112 · end of year $67,676,519

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $6,692,284 · end of year $5,939,424

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $3,607,835 · end of year $3,071,962

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $1,369,986 · end of year $861,400

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $8,303,969 · end of year $7,631,350

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $56,080,670 · end of year $59,112,768

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $25,905,038 · end of year $27,230,775

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

OCEAN CONSERVANCY UNITES SCIENCE, PEOPLE, AND POLICY TO PROTECT OUR OCEAN, TODAY AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

  • CROSS-CUTTING WORK: OCEAN CONSERVANCY HAS MULTIPLE CROSS-CUTTING PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE THREE KEY PILLARS - PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY, PREVENTING OCEAN PLASTICS, AND MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE. OUR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WORK ENGAGES DIRECTLY WITH GOVERNMENTS AT ALL LEVELS TO ADVANCE POLICIES THAT PROTECT THE OCEAN. OCEAN CONSERVANCY IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT ENSURES WE ARE PURSUING SOLUTIONS THAT ARE BACKED BY SCIENCE. OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING WORK INSPIRES PEOPLE TO CARE ABOUT AND TAKE ACTION FOR OUR OCEAN THROUGH THE MEDIA AS WELL AS DIGITAL AND SOCIAL CHANNELS. THIS INCLUDES OUR RECENTLY LAUNCHED SPORTS MARKETING INITIATIVE, PROTECT WHERE WE PLAY, WHICH MOBILIZES ATHLETES, EVENTS, VENUES, ARTISTS AND FANS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE OCEAN. THE INAUGURAL PROTECT WHERE WE PLAY TOUR PARTNERS WITH VENUES TO USE REUSABLE CUPS; IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE TOUR WILL PREVENT 1 MILLION SINGLE-USE CUPS FROM ENTERING THE WASTE SYSTEM.

    Expenses $15,415,069 · Grants $268,440

  • PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY: OUR OCEAN IS HOME TO AN INCREDIBLE DIVERSITY OF LIFE, FEEDING BILLIONS AND SUPPORTING CULTURES AND LIVELIHOODS AROUND THE WORLD. BUT THE OCEAN'S BOUNTY IS UNDER THREAT FROM UNSUSTAINABLE EXTRACTION, OVERFISHING, PLASTIC POLLUTION AND A WARMING OCEAN. OCEAN CONSERVANCY WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDIGENOUS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT THE OCEAN AND THE PEOPLE WHO RELY ON IT CAN THRIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WE PROTECT BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE ARCTIC, WORK TOWARD ZERO LOST OR DISCARDED FISHING GEAR IN THE OCEAN AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES. IN THE ARCTIC, WE PREVIOUSLY SECURED A MORATORIUM ON COMMERCIAL FISHING IN THE CENTRAL ARCTIC OCEAN AND ARE NOW WORKING TO EXPAND THAT PAUSE TO COVER ALL INDUSTRY, INCLUDING SHIPPING AND DEEP-SEA MINING. WE LEAD THE GLOBAL GHOST GEAR INITIATIVE TO END "GHOST GEAR"- FISHING GEAR THAT'S BEEN LOST OR THROWN AWAY THAT CONTINUES TO FISH INDISCRIMINATELY. GHOST GEAR IS THE DEADLIEST FORM OF MARINE DEBRIS IN OUR OCEAN. FINALLY, WE ADVOCATE FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHING GIVEN THE CENTRAL ROLE FISH PLAY IN OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS AND THE LIVES OF BILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE. WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES, AND NOW WORK WITH FISHING COMMUNITIES TO ADAPT TO THE CHALLENGES OF A WARMING OCEAN.

    Expenses $10,405,413 · Grants $947,583

  • PREVENTING OCEAN PLASTICS: 11 MILLION METRIC TONS OF PLASTIC ENTER THE OCEAN ANNUALLY EQUIVALENT TO A GARBAGE TRUCK'S WORTH OF PLASTIC EVERY SINGLE MINUTE. PLASTIC POLLUTION CAN BE DEADLY TO MARINE ANIMALS THAT EAT OR BECOME TRAPPED IN IT. GROUNDED IN OUR CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH, OCEAN CONSERVANCY FOCUSES ON TWO CRITICAL SOLUTIONS TO THE CRISIS: REDUCING PRODUCTION OF THE SINGLE-USE PLASTICS MOST DANGEROUS TO OCEAN LIFE, AND CLEANING UP 1 BILLION POUNDS OF OCEAN PLASTIC BY 2050. OCEAN CONSERVANCY ADVOCATES AT THE GLOBAL, NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS FOR POLICIES THAT REDUCE PRODUCTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS. IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE'VE SECURED 13 POLICIES, ELIMINATING 900 MILLION SINGLE-USE PLASTICS EVERY YEAR. WE ALSO ORGANIZE THE INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP, ONE OF THE LARGEST SINGLE DAY VOLUNTEER EVENTS TO CLEAN UP OUR SHORELINES AND WATERWAYS. TO DATE, OCEAN CONSERVANCY HAS REMOVED OVER 400 MILLION POUNDS OF PLASTIC AND TRASH FROM OUR OCEAN, COAST AND WATERWAYS, ENGAGING MILLIONS OF VOLUNTEERS ON BEHALF OF THE OCEAN IN OVER 150 COUNTRIES. THROUGH THIS EFFORT, WE ALSO BUILT THE WORLD'S LARGEST OCEAN PLASTICS DATABASE, WHICH IS PART OF OUR CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH TO FILL GAPS IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLASTIC CRISIS AND TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, OCEAN CONSERVANCY SCIENTISTS SPEARHEADED THE FIRST-EVER QUANTIFICATION OF HOW MUCH PLASTIC IS ENTERING OUR OCEAN AND HOW LITTLE PLASTIC IT TAKES TO KILL A BIRD, TURTLE OR WHALE.

    Expenses $5,949,838 · Grants $316,384

  • MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE: CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE GREATEST THREAT OUR OCEAN HAS EVER FACED. A WARMING OCEAN LEADS TO BLEACHED CORAL REEFS, MASS DEATHS OF MARINE ANIMALS, AND MORE FREQUENT AND SEVERE HURRICANES AND STORMS. BUT THE OCEAN IS ALSO A CRUCIAL ALLY FOR OUR CLIMATE: IT PRODUCES HALF THE WORLD'S OXYGEN AND ABSORBS MORE THAN 90% OF THE EXCESS HEAT FROM CLIMATE CHANGEAND IT HAS VAST UNTAPPED POTENTIAL TO PROVIDE CLEAN ENERGY THAT REDUCES CLIMATE IMPACTS. OCEAN CONSERVANCY WORKS WITH PARTNERS AND DECISION-MAKERS AT THE LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL TO DEVELOP, INFORM AND ADVOCATE FOR OCEAN-BASED SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT OUR CLIMATE. THESE INCLUDE DEPLOYING CLEAN OCEAN ENERGY FROM WIND, WAVES AND TIDES AND PHASING OUT OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS WHICH HARMS OUR OCEAN. OCEAN CONSERVANCY ALSO LEADS INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE THE GLOBAL SHIPPING INDUSTRY'S EMISSIONS ROUGHLY ONE BILLION TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE EVERY YEAR.

    Expenses $4,884,123 · Grants $86,010

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Janis Searles Jones

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $750,028
    From this org
    $687,729
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $62,299
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $466,461
    Bonus
    $210,000
    Other
    $11,268
    Deferred
    $19,984
    Nontaxable benefits
    $42,315
    Filer's total
    $750,028
  • John Sargent

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Sanjay A Pingle

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Denise Godreau

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • W Bowman Cutter

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Claire Bernard

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Erin Browne

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Bonnie M Crabtree

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Colin Le Duc

    DIRECTOR (UNTIL 03/2025)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Laura Francis

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Ian McAbeer

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Jeff Rosenthal

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Paul Shang

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Ty Stiklorius

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Troy Templeton

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Denise Shiffman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Kenneth Donaldson

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $291,185
    From this org
    $259,558
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,627
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $257,788
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,770
    Deferred
    $15,745
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,882
    Filer's total
    $291,185
  • Jenna Dipaolo Colley

    CHIEF BRAND & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $290,586
    From this org
    $250,940
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,646
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $249,601
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,339
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $39,646
    Filer's total
    $290,586
  • Katherine Andrews

    CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $328,747
    From this org
    $298,884
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,863
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $285,164
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $13,720
    Deferred
    $17,320
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,543
    Filer's total
    $328,747
  • Adrienne Thomas-Loftin

    CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $223,539
    From this org
    $204,639
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,900
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $162,169
    Bonus
    $40,000
    Other
    $2,470
    Deferred
    $9,934
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,966
    Filer's total
    $223,539
  • Sarah Beiderman

    CHIEF OF STAFF

    Total calculated
    $218,074
    From this org
    $193,227
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,847
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $190,356
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Other
    $1,371
    Deferred
    $11,584
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,263
    Filer's total
    $218,074
  • Chris Dorsett

    VP, CONSERVATION

    Total calculated
    $299,240
    From this org
    $242,866
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $56,374
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $241,076
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,790
    Deferred
    $15,059
    Nontaxable benefits
    $41,315
    Filer's total
    $299,240
  • Scott Highleyman

    SENIOR ADVISOR

    Total calculated
    $248,780
    From this org
    $203,283
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $45,497
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $200,223
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,060
    Deferred
    $12,593
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,904
    Filer's total
    $248,780
  • Jeffrey Watters

    VP, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

    Total calculated
    $239,588
    From this org
    $203,218
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,370
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $201,838
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,380
    Deferred
    $12,346
    Nontaxable benefits
    $24,024
    Filer's total
    $239,588
  • George Leonard

    CHIEF SCIENTIST

    Total calculated
    $246,885
    From this org
    $208,153
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,732
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $204,853
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $3,300
    Deferred
    $12,548
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,184
    Filer's total
    $246,885
  • Malissa Lash

    DEPUTY CHIEF OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $273,421
    From this org
    $220,024
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $53,397
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $198,416
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $1,608
    Deferred
    $12,468
    Nontaxable benefits
    $40,929
    Filer's total
    $273,421
  • Emily Woglom

    FORMER EVP (UNTIL 06/2024)

    Total calculated
    $322,255
    From this org
    $297,680
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,575
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $152,183
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $145,497
    Deferred
    $9,440
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,135
    Filer's total
    $322,255
  • Sarah Humphries

    FORMER CDO (UNTIL 04/2024)

    Total calculated
    $221,433
    From this org
    $206,278
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,155
    Hours/week
    45

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $105,688
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $100,590
    Deferred
    $6,427
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,728
    Filer's total
    $221,433

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 4A
EMILY WOGLOM, FORMER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, RECEIVED A SEVERANCE PAYMENT OF $144,612. SARAH HUMPHRIES, FORMER CHIEF OF DEVELOPMENT, RECEIVED A SEVERANCE PAYMENT OF $100,000. PART I, LINE 7: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSIDERS THE CEO'S BONUS AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF TOTAL COMPENSATION. BOARD LEADERSHIP CONSIDERS A MULTITUDE OF ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE FACTORS WHEN DETERMINING THE CEO'S BONUS FOR A GIVEN YEAR, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE CURRENT AND PROJECTED FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE ORGANIZATION, CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES MET, PROGRAMMATIC METRICS, COMMUNICATIONS METRICS, STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION, STAFFING GOALS, CURRENT YEAR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, TOTAL CEO COMPENSATION PACKAGES FOR SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS, ETC.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
13 May 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202601389349301550

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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