Dear Friends and Partners,
In 2025, I had the honor of stepping into the role of CEO at Sustainable Ocean Alliance at a pivotal moment for both the organization and the planet.
As someone who has spent my career at the intersection of impact and market-based solutions, I’m driven by a simple belief: change must be measurable to have meaning. And this past year, the numbers speak volumes about what’s possible when we invest in people and ideas designed for scale.
2024 also marked SOA’s 10th anniversary—a decade of bold action to restore ocean health and build climate resilience. What began as a grassroots initiative in a university dorm room has grown into a dynamic global network of over 300 initiatives across 100+ countries. Our mission remains clear: to close the gap between urgent ocean challenges and the capacity of communities and innovators to meet them.
Since 2018, SOA has deployed $5.7 million in catalytic funding through grants, investments, scholarships, and fellowships—nurturing a unique ecosystem where youth-led ideas and venture-backable solutions thrive. In 2024, we supported our most diverse cohort yet: 50 new grantees, many led by Indigenous communities, youth, and organizations in Small Island/Large Ocean Developing States and the Global South. Together with our affiliate investment fund, Seabird Ventures, 50% of our capital this year directly supported initiatives in Developing countries.
Our investments are delivering real impact. The organizations and startups we’ve supported reported employing over 1,200 people in 2024 and creating 570 new jobs in the sustainable blue economy—advancing SDG 14.7 and unlocking economic opportunities from the sustainable use of marine resources.
We also deepened our commitment to leadership development and capacity building. In partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, we concluded two fellowships focused on sustainable fisheries; and we launched a new fellowship with Waitt Institute supporting ocean entrepreneurship in Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia. And a new collaboration with the University of California Santa Cruz helped student innovators turn ideas into real-world ocean solutions.
Finally, our work to combat marine pollution reached a major milestone: more than $1.8 million deployed to pollution-reducing efforts to date, with 26,000 metric tons of waste and 450,000 m³ of nutrient pollution removed or prevented over the last two years—bringing us closer to achieving SDG Target 14.1 for reducing marine pollution by 2025.
As you explore this page, I hope you’ll feel the same sense of grounded optimism that I do. SOA’s next chapter is defined by measurable impact, powerful partnerships, and the belief that ocean solutions—when supported early and equitably—can change the course of our planet’s future.
Thank you for being a part of this mission.
With gratitude and determination,
~ Anne Park
Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Ocean Alliance
From 2023-2024:
The estimated global funding gap for achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (UN SDG 14 - Life Below Water) is over $149 billion per year. To turn the tide and mobilize more people and resources for ocean health, SOA provides supportive inputs—grants, investment, scholarships, programming, and platforms—to startups, grassroots organizations, and ocean leaders all over the world.
We support a global community of youth and early-career changemakers through direct financial assistance and capacity building resources to “train-the-trainer” and globally scale ocean stewardship.
By providing social capital, infrastructural support, and financial resources to youth we are fostering individual leadership and cultivating youth-led ocean communities aligned with decentralized, compassionate action for climate and ocean
SOA catalyzes early-stage innovation by deploying investments, grants, and strategic support into high-potential ocean solutions that address urgent environmental problems and advance sustainable blue economies.
SOA strategy is data-driven, and we collect measurements of over 30 indicators of social and environmental health.
We classify solutions and quantify their impact in terms of reductions to greenhouse gas and pollution—measured in metric tons (t)—area —measured in hectares (ha) and kilometers (km), as well as other indicators of sustainable marine resource use and improved ocean literacy and community resilience. The 1000 Ocean Startups Ocean Impact Navigator and goals of the Global Mangrove Alliance inform our impact taxonomy and targets, and we are grateful to these and other expertly led consortiums that are fostering collaboration and rigorous data collection.
Sustainable Ocean Alliance is a 501c3 non-profit charity registered in the United States
EIN 82-4972091
www.soalliance.org
2023-2024: 84,621 metric tons (t) of CO₂e avoided or removed, equal to the electricity use of over 17,600 US homes in a year (EPA).
Relevant Targets: UN SDG Goal 13 Climate Action - (13.1) Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters; (13.b) Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states, focusing on women, youth, and local and marginalized communities.
Vlinder's mangrove restoration sites in Indonesia, Kenya, and Senegal are expected to remove an estimated 172,000tCO₂ over the next 40 years. Working with local implementation and partners, they created 311 jobs while restoring over 200 ha of mangrove forest in 2024. By 2030, they project annual sequestration across their sites of 310,226t.
Light For Nature, a community-based organization (CBO) founded by Anthony Duxell Malle and supported by SOA since 2021, has planted over 13,000 mangroves across 11 ha in southwestern Cameroon, which will sequester an estimated 1,300tCO2 when mature. In 2024, they restored three hectares, and are working to reach sufficient scale for carbon credit and community revenue sharing.
SOA Tanzania is a youth-led CBO founded by Ailars David, who SOA has supported with grants since 2021 to adopt .5 square kilometers of seagrass, plant 42,500 mangroves, train over 800 young people, create 50 blue jobs, and remove one metric ton of CO2 annually since 2023. In 2024, Hub Coordinator Shadya Ngiri led the establishment of a small seaweed farm and trained 33 Bagamoyo community members how to derive products like soaps from seaweed.
Noble Ocean Farms is a 22-acre regenerative kelp farm in Eyak and Alutiiq/Sugpiaq People territory in Alaska. Skye Steritz and Sean Den Adel co-founded their farm to enhance rural food security and marine ecosystem resilience. SOA has supported Skye since 2022, when she was selected for the US Climate-Resilient Fisheries Fellowship. In 2024, the farm expanded its growing area, harvesting 14,486 pounds of kelp–tripling previous annual yields.
2023-2024: 26,892t of waste removed or avoided, including plastic, glass, and discarded fishing gear; 9,224t upcycled for circular use; and 450,000 m³ of water pollution avoided or remediated.
Relevant Targets: UN SDG 14 Life Below Water and 12 Responsible Consumption & Production – (14.1) By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution; (12.5) By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse; (12.A) Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
rePurpose Global is transforming waste into opportunity by recovering and verifying over 40,000t of low-value plastics from underserved areas, engaging over 2,500 waste workers monthly. In 2024, they removed 4,874t of waste in India and recycled/upcycled 2,746t across Colombia, Indonesia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, and Kenya, adding to the 11.6t removed and 3t upcycled in 2023.
Marulho combats “ghost fishing” by removing abandoned nets from nearshore reefs and turning them into valuable products. Local artisans clean and transform collected waste into handcrafted products like sunglasses created via innovative injection molding techniques. In 2024 they turned 2,600kg into 18,341 products, providing over $40,000 in revenue for local fishermen.
SOA University of Maryland, led by Allen Yuan, hosted 26 cleanups in 2024, collecting 1,348 lbs of trash, routinely hosting more than 40 volunteers at each cleanup, and partnering with 52 other organizations. They also hosted a webinar with Minorities in Aquaculture CEO and Founder Imani Black, as well as educational tabling at multiple events on campus.
Ocean Purpose Project uses innovative aquaculture to bioremediate algae blooms and protect fisheries. The 420 native seaweed and mussel lines they’ve installed filtered 14.7 million liters of seawater in 2023. In 2024, they created natural biostimulants from species of seaweed abundant in Singapore. Founder Mathilda D’Silva (2021 Southeast Asia Fisheries Fellowship) began the social enterprise after being exposed to marine pollution and committing to tackling it collaboratively.
2023-2024: 3,969 hectares of coastal mangrove, seagrass, kelp, coral, and marsh restored, with over 204,000 mangroves planted.
Relevant Targets: Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – By 2030, At least 30% of land and sea areas global (especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity) conserved through effective, equitably managed, ecologically representative, and well-connected systems of protected areas, and a 50% or greater reduction in the rate of introduction of invasive alien species; and UN SDG 15 Life on Land - (15.1) Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity.
Inversa transforms invasive species of lionfish, carp, and python into high-quality, sustainable leathers for the fashion industry. Founded in 2019, Inversa has removed over 50,000 invasive species, and in 2024 they avoided an estimated 70t of CO2 by avoiding the use of traditional bovine leather, helping to preserve an estimated 423t of fish biomass that would be lost to invasive species. They project avoiding over 133,000t of CO2 by 2030.
Carbon Ethics is an Indonesian social enterprise supported by SOA since 2020 for their work to restore mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, and to provide relevant training to community groups and farmers. In 2024, they planted 97,163 mangroves and 2,000 seagrass plants—sequestering an estimated 5,692t of CO2 over their lifetime, piloted a new method of seagrass restoration, and contributed to Indonesia’s National Seagrass Map.
SOA Marmara Sea leader Ela Gokcigdem contributed to global ocean-climate discussions as part of SOA’s delegation to the Ocean and Climate Dialogue during SB60 and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). Leader Dahlia Jamous received a grant to produce a documentary film that sheds light on the marine restoration challenges facing the Marmara Sea in Türkiye.
Associação TransforMAR (recognized by UNESCO as a UN Ocean Decade program and supported by SOA since 2021) fosters ocean literacy and stewardship to students from underprivileged backgrounds in Brazil. From 2023-2024 they removed nearly 900kg of invasive sun coral, trained 50 people in invasive coral removal, and collected 250kg of waste. Co-founders Alexandre Da Silva and Giovanna Scagnolatto participated in the 2022 Ocean Leadership Deep Dive and lead the SOA Campinas Hub.
2023-2024: 14,519t of seafood sustainably fished or produced through aquaculture, 593t of unsustainable catch avoided, and 157,362ha of active fisheries and coastal monitoring.
Relevant Targets: UN SDG 14 Life Below Water - (14.7) By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island Developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism; (14.B) Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.
West Coast Kelp is a startup specializing in kelp farming and seed provision, working alongside the Toquaht and Tlaoquiaht First Nations to restore kelp forests and advance sustainable livelihoods. In 2023, support from SOA enabled them to construct an innovative kelp nursery that is now among the largest suppliers of kelp seed in Canada, supplying seed for the production of an estimated 165t of kelp. They manage an indigenous-owned kelp farm, supply five kelp farms (15 ha) with seed, and operate six kelp restoration sites across four ha.
Sulubaai Environmental Foundation piloted the installation of a fish cage to cultivate two local species for the commercial and subsistence benefit of three fisherfolk associations in Shark Fin Bay, Philippines with SOA support in 2024. They catch and rear post-larval fish in their laboratory to increase the survival rates of fish species that have declined due to unsustainable fishing and pollution. They work in an area designated in 2023 as a Blue Spark, where they’ve helped establish four locally-governed MPAs (see video).
SOA Ibadan (Nigeria), led by Jepthah Adelowo, hosted a sustainable fishing workshop in 2024 for 25 Oyo state fishermen, providing education on sustainable fishing techniques and conserving ocean biodiversity. Jepthah is the founder of a local recycling enterprise, and has participated in the 2022 Ocean Leadership Deep Dive and 2025 Ocean Leaders Fellowship. He has received multiple grants to promote ocean art and literacy, impacting over 3,000 young students.
Paul Eweola participated in the Global Leadership for Climate Resilient Fisheries Fellowship that concluded in 2024, in which SOA and Environmental Defense Fund supported him in implementing the “Fishers’ Prep” program to educate local fishers on climate-resilient fisheries and stock management in two coastal states in Nigeria. Paul received further funding from the GEF Small Grant Program in 2025 to upscale the Fishers Prep program and is working to grow the initiative.
In 2024, 570 jobs were supported via grants and Ecopreneur Network companies, which reported employing over 1,475 people. Of the grant funding SOA deployed in 2024, 78% went to developing countries, 40% to Small Island/Large Ocean Developing States (SIDS), and 27% to projects led by indigenous people. We supported 28 Hubs with over $75k in grants for their activities advocating for a deep-sea mining moratorium and raising awareness of its potential impacts within local communities.
Relevant Targets: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982); The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ 2023); and UN SDG 4 Quality Education - (4.7) to ensure all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development by 2030.
PierSight is building a constellation of all-weather monitoring satellites designed specifically for observing the oceans in any light and weather condition. Their radar-equipped mini satellites can detect “dark” ships and track oil spills to help coastal nations enforce laws, respond to disasters faster, and protect marine ecosystems. In 2024, they launched “Varuna”, India’s first private SAR +AIS tech demo satellite, a game-changer for visibility across large ocean Exclusive Economic Zones.
Carolina Ocean Alliance organized The Hope Summit 2024 in South Carolina: a two-day conference and film festival focused on community-driven solutions for ocean and water health. SOA provided $8k in scholarships to support the attendance of SOA Hub and ocean leaders from six US states, including Hawaii. Founder and SOA Charleston Leader, Grey Gowder, helped raise a scholarship fund to provide attendance to 72 students and early career professionals. The Hope Summit 2025 will return to Charleston in September.
SOA Nigeria Hub leader Adenike Adeiga mobilized collective action and applied pressure on the Nigerian government to join the moratorium on DSM through a multimedia advocacy campaign that received 13,000+ views and a 2-day intensive deep-sea conference which included authorities from the decision making agency on deep seabed mining in Nigeria, NIMASA (Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency).
OnDeck Fisheries AI provides fast, cost-effective, and scalable fisheries monitoring solutions. Their AI models generate real-time metrics like fishing effort, and they recently launched a live demo of their technology, which is in use by 12 organizations, including Canadian First Nations. Founder Alexander Dungate participated in the 2022 EDFxSOA Leadership for Climate-Resilient US Fisheries Fellowship.
Oceania
Melesila Weilert
Individual
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Fo’i Tuluta is a women-led group in Tongatapu restoring marine ecosystems and community well-being through workshops, debris removal, mangrove and coral restoration, and inclusive engagement.
Learn MoreNorth America
Madison Chapman, Grant Hill, Kailyn Haddox, Anna Lynch, Kamila Koralasbayev, Lauren Kempfe, Isabella McQuade, Phyllis Wah
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA UF led plastic awareness campaigns, facilitated field trips, researched algal biomass, tracked campus energy and water use, opposed Nestle’s water extraction, and monitored and published local stream water quality data.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Foga Agbetossou
Individual
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
SOA Togo will educate 1,000 secondary students in Togo about ocean importance and preservation, and organize three beach cleanups, led by Kwami Serge Foga Agbetossou, who holds degrees in Geography and Oceanography.
Learn MoreOceania
Lolofi Aleamotua
For-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Lolofi Aleamotua leads a mangrove restoration project in Tonga, planting 10,000 propagules to boost coastal resilience, support environmental goals, and ensure long-term survival through careful planning and monitoring.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Protasius Mutijida
Non-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Protasius Mutijda’s conducted research on giant kelp’s biogeochemical impacts in Namibia, contributing to global kelp CDR models and inspiring Namibian youth to pursue ocean stewardship through scientific research and conservation.
Learn MoreNorth America
Mickey Rogers
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA PNW is co-hosting the Deep Sea Conservation Festival featuring local organizations and a petition to expand outreach and strengthen conservation connections across Washington and the PNW region.
Learn MoreOceania
Sione Manupuna Ika
Individual
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Sione Manupuna Ika is integrating eco-tourism into Makave SMA management in Vava'u, Tonga, promoting sustainable fisheries through tours, education, and community engagement, while highlighting traditional practices.
Learn MoreNorth America
Carissa Cabrera
For-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
The Deep Sea Summit raises awareness about deep-sea mining dangers through community advocacy, music, and art. FutureSwell created social media posts for the Summit to amplify the campaign.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Muhammed Nyass
Individual
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
SOA Gambia’s project restores mangroves, cleans 80 km of coastline, and hosts a World Ocean Day seminar to raise awareness and protect marine ecosystems.
Learn MoreSouth America
Stefanie Torres
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Perú advanced ocean conservation by training youth, empowering coastal communities, promoting Marine Protected Areas, and leading advocacy campaigns, resulting in Peru’s formal support for a deep-sea mining moratorium.
Learn MoreOceania
Carlos Kusto
Individual
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
The Awak Pah Community is expanding its clam farm to boost food security, income, and reef health by installing spat collectors, hosting awareness programs, and promoting sustainable, legal clam farming.
Learn MoreNorth America
Aaron Huang
For-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
OoNee is a regenerative sea ranch combating urchin barrens in California by training underserved community members, especially fishers, in scuba diving, reef surveying, and urchin harvesting to support climate-resilient enterprises.
Learn MoreEurope
Dr Inty Gronneberg, Yessica Benavides
For-profit
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
Ichthion is a UK company developing award-winning technologies to reduce ocean plastic pollution and designing circular economy programs.
Learn MoreOceania
Jason Reiong
Individual
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
The project will establish a sea cucumber farm to restore populations, protect reefs, and support local livelihoods through conservation, education, policy alignment, and sustainable business development.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Ahmed Moumine
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Yaoundé promotes ocean sustainability through education, research, and collaboration with stakeholders, and empowers coastal communities to protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable livelihoods.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Alexandra Guzman Bloise, Ana Torres, Javier Pardo, Maria Fernanda Carmona Bloise, Maribel Pinto, Ann Gordón
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Panama is a youth-led chapter uniting conservationists, scientists, and advocates to empower and engage communities for sustainable oceans.
Learn MoreSouth America
Rodrigo Oyanedel
Non-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Rodrigo Oyanedel, Ph.D, is developing a standardized, open-access toolkit with Sernapesca to estimate and monitor illegal fishing in small-scale fisheries, aiming to improve enforcement in Chile.
Learn MoreNorth America
Ariel Szklanny, Hila Elimelech, Ofek Ron, Ron Sicsic
For-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Oshi develops whole-cut plant-based seafood, starting with salmon fillets, using modular layering technology to mimic real fish. Their products offer a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional seafood.
Learn MoreSouth America
Juan Fernando Pesántez Muñoz
Individual
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Academia del Océano and SOA Manabi foster ocean conservation leadership through education, hands-on programs, and a new physical site, while also restoring Punta San Clemente’s mangroves and estuary.
Learn MoreNorth America
Sergie Albino, Ian Doromal, Juana Cerda
For-profit
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
ecoSPEARS develops NASA-licensed green technologies to remove PFAS, PCBs, dioxins, and other persistent pollutants from the environment, aiming for a net-zero future with clean water, food, and air for all.
Learn MoreEurope
Gonçalo Carvalho
Non-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Gonçalo Carvalho, Executive Coordinator of Sciaena, led a workshop in the Azores, Portugal, focused on deep sea mining and its implications for sustainable marine environments.
Learn MoreEurope
Sayri Arteaga Michaux
For-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
uWare Robotics develops autonomous underwater drones and AI data solutions, making underwater data collection safer, more efficient, and affordable for blue industries, supporting sustainable port and offshore operations.
Learn MoreEurope
Nina Verite
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Malta will host two marine-themed TriviaTide Nights in Malta and Gozo to raise awareness about marine conservation, featuring presentations, discussions, and quizzes.
Learn MoreEurope
Annalisa Sambolino
Individual
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
SOA Madeira reduced plastic waste by introducing reusable, artist-designed cups in local bars and launched OceanAware Madeira to promote ocean sustainability through education, community events, beach clean-ups, and art exhibits.
Learn MoreEurope
Alvaro Rodriquez
Non-profit
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
Natura Sin Basura expanded to Bay of Cadiz Natural Park, engaging students in environmental education, cleanups, and citizen science to protect tidal marshes and seagrass, raise awareness of ecosystem services, and reduce pollution.
Learn MoreNorth America
Nicky Roberts
Non-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Nicky Roberts developed an action plan for climate-resilient seafood supply chains in New England, addressing industry knowledge gaps, and engaging stakeholders through collaborative sessions.
Learn MoreEurope
Joseph Julca
Governmental
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
The project organized Spain’s 2023 Local Conference of Youth (LCOY), empowering youth climate action and contributing to international climate discussions.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Jeimila Donty
For-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Jeimila founded Koraï in 2022 to restore African coastal ecosystems. This grant supports growing 2,000 corals and hiring a biologist for a feasibility study to establish a restoration site and MPA off northern Madagascar.
Learn MoreOceania
Krystle Melander
Individual
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
The project introduces sustainable aquaculture of Kosraean mud crabs and srohsrohl fish to address over-harvesting, promote conservation, and support local livelihoods.
Learn MoreNorth America
Katharine Shambaugh
Individual
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Katharine Shambaugh is studying Maine fishing communities’ responses to changing fishing practices and aquaculture, using interviews and surveys to understand regional differences in attitudes toward aquaculture amid climate change impacts.
Learn MoreSouth America
Russell Reed
Individual
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
Researchers will conduct workshops, plant a test farm, and engage local communities to develop an equitable, community-led Colombian seaweed industry, addressing infrastructure, legislation, and sustainability challenges.
Learn MoreEurope
Benjamin Li, Florence Tremblay Otis, David Lunsford, Florence Cuttat
For-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Stream Ocean enables ocean workers to easily monitor and assess their impact on marine biodiversity.
Learn MoreEurope
Léa Godiveau
For-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Oceanovox equips racing sailboats with sensors to collect vital ocean and climate data, engaging sailors and the public to support research organizations in understanding and communicating climate change.
Learn MoreAsia
Mary Jane Lamoste
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
MJ Lamoste led projects empowering women in coastal Philippines by upcycling beach waste into products and spearheaded a campaign uniting communities against deep-sea mining and raising awareness of its environmental impacts.
Learn MoreSouth America
Eliana Contreras Martínez
Individual
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Mi Manglar engages the local community in mangrove education, cleanup, and restoration by planting 1,000 seedlings on 0.2 hectares and forming a "guardians" group to monitor and protect the site.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Yanson Hilaire
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SAIL, led by SOA Dominica raises awareness about deep-sea mining’s environmental impacts through education, community activities, and advocacy.
Learn MoreNorth America
Bodhi Patil
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Bodhi, founder of Oneworldbreath.org, will engage 1,000 youth in marine conservation through a short film and music video highlighting Indigenous stewardship of kelp forests.
Learn MoreAsia
Rainbow Leung
Individual
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
SOA Hong Kong is leading a project to restore marine ecosystems by building ten shellfish reefs from restaurant and fishermen’s discarded shells, engaging 50 students in reef construction and biodiversity monitoring as citizen scientists.
Learn MoreOceania
Liam Kokaua
Non-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Blue Cradle Foundation produced a short video on sea mining, highlighting indigenous and Pacific Islander perspectives, premiered at COP 2022.
Learn MoreNorth America
Maria Cristina Alvarez
Individual
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
SOA PNW hosted a clothing swap at Oregon State University to promote recycling, reduce fast fashion’s environmental impact, and educate the community about how clothing production harms oceans.
Learn MoreNorth America
Liane Thompson, Simeon Pieterkosky
For-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Aquaai offers autonomous, bio-inspired robotic fish for affordable, high-quality underwater data collection, with year-long deployment and web dashboard access for diverse subsurface monitoring in marine and freshwater environments.
Learn MoreEurope
Ana Luisa Cunha, Ana Francisco
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Averio will host a 3-day event at Aveiro University with lectures, workshops, a debate, and a documentary to educate and engage participants on ocean sustainability while encouraging networking in a relaxed setting.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Ahmed Moumine
Individual
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
SOA Yaoundé, with ThinkGreen and Cameroon’s Ministry of Environment, led school and community recycling awareness, coastal cleanups, and youth training in waste management, empowering students to advocate for plastic waste regulation.
Learn MoreNorth America
Kristy Drutman
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Kristy Drutman (@browngirlgreen) will produce podcasts, TikToks, and social media content to humanize deep seabed mining and educate global youth about the issue.
Learn MoreEurope
Rita Quelha, Bárbara Melo
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Porto launched "Ecos do Mar," featuring social media campaigns and Science Café sessions to boost ocean literacy, counter misinformation, and promote trust in science, led by Aquatic Sciences students Rita Quelha and Bárbara Melo.
Learn MoreNorth America
Tyler Rochen
For-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Violet Cove will plant 4,000 feet of sugar kelp, monitor its environmental impact with Stony Brook researchers, and promote seaweed as a soil amendment to local farmers and libraries.
Learn MoreNorth America
Veronica Relano Ecija
Non-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
The Somos OceanoS initiative creates documentaries and educational activities to highlight the value of marine protected areas and empower local communities to participate in the management revision of Isla Espíritu Santo.
Learn MoreEurope
Marian Paiu, Lavinia Voiculescu
Non-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
SOA Black Sea and Mare Nostrum advanced marine conservation by training citizen scientists, monitoring marine litter and cetaceans, and engaging youth through campaigns, workshops, and competitions.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Edward Mutwiri Mwikamba
Academic
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
This project compares AI-driven and manual methods to measure seagrass health, aiming to enable community conservation by bundling unaccredited seagrass carbon benefits with mangrove credits.
Learn MoreAsia
Elvian Masli
Individual
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
The "Crisis to Cuisine" initiative installs an urchin-algae co-culturing prototype to boost food security and resilience in Malaysia’s coastal communities, while training locals in sustainable aquaculture practices.
Learn MoreAsia
Perry Bevin, Brian Takeda, Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda
For-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Urchinomics restores kelp forests by paying divers to remove overgrazing sea urchins, ranching them in land-based systems, and transforming them into premium seafood for global high-end markets.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Rosangela Araujo Valdez
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Rosangela Valdez project is on water conservation and ocean health. She wrote a book on the water cycle for kids, fostering discussions on preserving natural resources in the Dominican Republic.
Learn MoreNorth America
Shannon Ball
Non-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Ocean Uprise hosts virtual internships for youth to develop community ocean projects. Twenty interns led initiatives like cleanups, restoration, and education, impacting 28 countries and thousands of youth and local environments.
Learn MoreNorth America
Catherine Alves
Individual
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
The Northeast Climate Resilient Fisheries Network brings together siloed researchers to share findings, collaborate across sectors, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections among fisheries researchers, academics, and professionals.
Learn MoreEurope
Anne-Sophie Roux
For-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
The project raises awareness about France’s deep sea mining plans across all French-speaking territories through social media, scientific reviews, and media outreach, aiming to spark political action on this issue.
Learn MoreEurope
Alessandro Romano
For-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Ocean Twist Biotechnology creates sustainable, high-performance protein from agricultural and insect byproducts to replace fishmeal and soy in animal feed, aiming to reduce ocean impact and promote circular solutions.
Learn MoreNorth America
Meredith Pratt
Academic
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
This project studies how rising sea temperatures affect coastal fish communities by analyzing long-term data on fish range shifts, aiming to inform conservation strategies and improve understanding of climate change impacts on fisheries.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Oliva Kombe
For-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
This project supports Kunduchi’s fishing community by promoting climate-resilient fisheries through training, awareness, and adaptation measures to address challenges from climate change, overfishing, and unsustainable practices.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Valerie Tovar
Non-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Local Haitian youth, supported by Loggerhead Marinelife Center & Haiti Ocean Project, are creating Haiti’s first children’s book on sea turtle conservation, written and illustrated by students and distributed to fishing communities.
Learn MoreSouth America
Carlos Silva, Claudia Jacobo, Niurka Obregon, Kiara Soto, Carol Sansuy, Stefanie Torres, Josias Kohagura, Daniel Cáceres Bartra, Maria Deledesma
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Perú is advancing ocean conservation through education, advocacy, and capacity-building, empowering young leaders to protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable development in Peru.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Emilie McGlone
Non-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Peace Boat US organized a program aligned with the UN Decade of Ocean Science, empowering global youth leaders in marine science and climate action through workshops, and activities onboard and during port visits.
Learn MoreSouth America
Pamela Campi
Individual
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Pamela Campi leads an SOA Guayas project to raise awareness in Guayas about marine ecosystem protection through eight expert-led webinars on marine sciences and an underwater video promoting biodiversity conservation.
Learn MoreSouth America
Silvia Perez Cruz
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Peru is leading a project to raise awareness and foster dialogue on marine biodiversity conservation and the risks of deep seabed mining, supporting advocacy, outreach, and documentation efforts around the Pre COP 16 Convention.
Learn MoreNorth America
Louisa Freeman, Mike Newman
For-profit
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
Returnity designs and implements reusable packaging and circular logistics systems, replacing single-use shipping materials. Their solutions reduce the environmental impact of direct-to-consumer shipping.
Learn MoreAsia
Robin Takashi Lewis
Non-profit
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
Mymizu is a free water refill platform with 200,000+ global locations, promoting plastic reduction through education, workshops, and a volunteer network. They aim to launch new chapters in Vietnam, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
Learn MoreAsia
Jiun Ting Saw
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA MY Ocean Hope is developing "Deep Sea Dilemma," a board game on ocean conservation, and launching a bootcamp to train 12 youth leaders in Malaysia, empowering them to lead local conservation projects.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Nestin Rasolofoarivony
Non-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
ONJA's project in Madagascar, empowering locals—especially women—to use digital tools for real-time fish population monitoring, supporting sustainable fisheries management and conservation through efficient, data-driven decision-making.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Emme Christie
Non-profit
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Fulbright Scholar Emme Christie will produce a JCCYC podcast and social media series on marine ecology, environmental impact, and climate change, focusing on Caribbean youth and regional issues.
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Verónica Mendieta Siordia, Erika Mendez Manzano, Leonardo Tonatiuh García López, Mariana Alejandra Vázquez Liñero, Paola Xanath Ruiz Mendoza, Amelia Anissa Rivera Velázquez, Valeria Dení Magaña García, Ibrahí Benny Rodríguez Larreta, José Reyeros Sánchez, Pamela Tapia Díaz, Luis Octavio Islas Sánchez
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Mexico is expanding by partnering with government and private sectors, offering virtual education, and promoting environmental education in local communities.
Learn MoreEurope
Susannah Farrugia
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Malta is launching a social media campaign and film screening with an expert panel discussion to raise awareness about deep sea mining, its risks, and Malta’s role, advocating for a moratorium and government action.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Theodore Batik
For-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Seafar uses coastal radars, machine learning, and autonomous drones to detect and monitor "dark" vessels involved in IUU fishing, providing real-time data to agencies via our web app to support enforcement and protect fisheries.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Joel Antonio Guity Zapata
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Honduras tackled plastic waste in Garifuna coastal communities, trained youth and promoted Garifuna leadership in conservation through international events and networking for collaborative ocean protection.
Learn MoreSouth America
Candelaria Belen Piemonte
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Candelaria Belen Piemonte is raising awareness on deep-sea mining in Argentina through film debates, educational content, and stakeholder mapping to inform the public, foster dialogue, and promote environmental protection.
Learn MoreEurope
Nina Charlotte Verite Taulet, Rosalyn Kamp, Susannah Farrugia, Sina Kröbel, Timmy Zammit, Ren Gómez
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Malta educates and empowers individuals about marine ecosystem challenges in Malta, offering accessible initiatives and programs that support ocean advocacy and environmental protection.
Learn MoreAsia
Afiq Durrani, Chris Ee, Elvian Masli, Jiun Ting Saw, Yue Lai
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Malaysia advances ocean conservation through community education, beach clean-ups, marine specimen digitization, and sustainable aquaculture, partnering with organizations to support coastal livelihoods, and ocean literacy.
Learn MoreOceania
Nelson Maia Siqueira Amaral
Individual
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
SOA Timor-Leste’s bootcamp empowers youth through activities like mangrove restoration, and sea turtle conservation, raising awareness about ocean protection.
Learn MoreSouth America
Natalie del Carmen Bravo Senmache
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Lambayeque is training stakeholders to monitor ocean acidification affecting scallop farming, while also raising awareness of deep-sea mining impacts through film screenings and community forums in coastal Peru.
Learn MoreEurope
Marie-Kell (MK) de Cannart
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
Marie-Kell de Cannart will sail Ireland and Scotland, creating video and musical content on deep sea mining, to be shared during ISA meetings, highlighting both mining negotiations and the beauty of untouched marine habitats.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Reanne McKenzie
Non-profit
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
This project trains Jamaican fishermen in sustainable sea moss farming within a fish sanctuary, providing alternative income and reducing fishing pressure, while supporting local food sources.
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Maria Schoenbeck
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Guatemala’s campaign raises awareness and drives action against deep-sea mining through educational content, events, and policy advocacy, guided by marine biologist Maria’s expertise in conservation and spatial planning.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Gideon Sarpong
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Ghana protected sea turtles, educated communities, tackled marine pollution through campaigns and journalism training, and opposed deep-seabed mining via policy advocacy, reaching 100,000 people.
Learn MoreAsia
Melissa Beata Martin
Academic
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu enhanced marine biodiversity awareness by curating resin-embedded specimens, digitizing 1,000 key specimens, and upgrading the Malaysia Aqua Archive to support research, conservation, and policy.
Learn MoreEurope
Marta Cardoso, Inês Guedes
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Algarve hosts interactive events connecting students, professionals, and the community through talks and activities in informal settings, promoting ocean protection, environmental education, and career insights.
Learn MoreOceania
Delio Da Costa, João Ratão Magno
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Timor-Leste organizes ocean literacy events, turtle and coral restoration, educational materials, and the "Deep Sea Defenders" campaign to raise awareness and protect deep-sea ecosystems from mining threats.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Frédérique Fardin, Charlotte Dorville
Non-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Roots of the Sea in Sainte-Luce, Martinique, engages high school students in marine conservation through scientific training, fieldwork, clean-ups, and mangrove restoration, fostering environmental stewardship.
Learn MoreNorth America
Nikita David
Individual
Pollution Reduction & Circular Use
SOA UF Hub’s project engages students in clean-up events to reduce pollution in Gainesville’s local water bodies, raising awareness and making a positive impact on the community.
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Ingrid Cantos, Eduardo Pizarro, Ivonne Becilla, Jorge Mera, Issac Valverde, Anderson Velasco, Gisella Lopez, Ashley Cuesta, Edwin Alejandro
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Santa Elena partners with local government and public institutions to educate and raise awareness, aiming to connect more people and achieve sustainable success through ocean-focused campaigns.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Chalsey Gill Anthony
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
This project in Belize raises awareness about deep seabed mining risks through art, education, and outreach, focusing on youth and accessibility, while supporting the #DefendTheDeep campaign and advocating for a mining moratorium.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Humpter Nyambura
Individual
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Humpter Nyambura led SOA Kenya’s Blue Academy and Mangrove Restoration programs, training students and communities in marine and mangrove conservation skills.
Learn MoreSouth America
Janice Márquez de la Plata Molina, Kerly Martínez Guitérrez
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Ecuador launched a digital campaign to raise awareness about deep-sea mining, reaching over 50,000 people and collaborating with influencers to advocate for a moratorium and promote alternative energy solutions.
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Betty Jahateh, Muhammed Nyass
Academic
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
The GREAT Institute removed 350 tonnes of trash, educated communities, trained youths, planted 10,000 mangroves, and monitored blue carbon ecosystems to promote marine conservation and support local livelihoods.
Learn MoreNorth America
Ibrahí Rodríguez Larreta, Valeria Dení Magaña García
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Mexico trained youth in water quality monitoring and mangrove ecosystems, and led campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize support for marine conservation and a deep-sea mining moratorium.
Learn MoreNorth America
Cameron Moore
Non-profit
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Cameron Moore will create a video series exploring how climate change worsens social inequities for minorities in the seafood sector, complementing SAGE’s podcast and highlighting personal experiences challenging outdated industry thinking.
Learn MoreNorth America
Poppy Brittingham
Individual
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture
Penelope will use remote sensing and machine learning to help develop methods for identifying global seaweed farms in satellite images, supporting efforts to assess their carbon removal and greenhouse gas reduction potential.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Marilyn Valverde
Individual
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
SOA Costa Rica Hub raised deep-sea awareness through film, art, and photo events, and supported five youth-led ocean conservation initiatives in coastal communities.
Learn MoreAfrica & Middle East
Salim Mohamed Abdallah
Non-profit
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Ambakofi trained 75 fishers from three villages in sustainable mangrove restoration using CBEMR techniques. The trainees will restore and monitor 7.5 hectares of mangroves by clearing waterways and ongoing observation.
Learn MoreOceania
Heidi Dumesich
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA Australia educates on ocean importance through online events, and the "Life on Planet A" podcast, which features expert interviews and resources for young leaders, including coverage of deep sea mining and advocacy for a moratorium.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Monique Calderon
Individual
Ecosystems Restoration & Preservation
Monique Calderon in collaboration with Caribbean WaterWays offer snorkeling and coral reef education to Saint Lucian youth, increasing marine ecosystem knowledge through hands-on activities and expert involvement.
Learn MoreCaribbean & Central America
Jacqueline Avalos
Individual
Ocean Data, Literacy & Communities
SOA El Salvador is leading a project to promote environmental conservation by organizing underwater cleanups and launching a campaign to collect and recycle glass bottles, aiming to reduce marine pollution and protect coastal ecosystems.
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