UN Ocean Conference – How Innovative Projects are Saving the Ocean

Studying coastlines

Did you know that only 5% of our ocean has been explored? Knowing the ocean is vital to understanding the threats weighing on the ecosystems it sustains, and finding ways to protect them. However, because they are constantly agitated by tides and currents, some key areas such as coastlines remain challenging to study.

To remedy this situation and help to better understand the impact of global warming on coastal areas, a group of U.S. scientists came up with an ingenious idea to collect data in these areas. They chose to call upon those who evolve with the aggressive nearshore environment: surfers.

Surfers as citizen-scientists

These researchers created Smartfin, a fin with temperature sensors that attaches to surfboards and collects ocean data in real time. Smartfin technology allows the collection of precise data on small scales and the tracking of temperature variations over time. Gathered all across the world by surfers, these data are then available globally to foster ocean research.

Convinced that “none of us will solve climate change alone”, the Smartfin project wants to encourage surfers to become a citizen-scientists and support research to protect the environment that allows their sport to exist.

What if you joined this community of committed surfers?

Coral reefs in danger

Although coral reefs only cover 1% of the seabed, they are home to 25% of our planet’s marine species. Within 10 years (2009-2018), 14% of them have disappeared. What is the main cause of this continued loss? Us.

Rising temperatures caused by human-induced climate change, overfishing, pollution and coastal development are deteriorating corals. Due to ocean warming, coral bleaching is becoming more frequent and severe, causing entire reefs to vanish.

In Hawaii, the Restore with Resilience project is engaging in coral restoration to revive these vital ecosystems. With the help of local communities, researchers from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology and the Coral Resilience Lab are repopulating coral reefs.

Testing coral resilience

The team collects corals that have been detached from the reef, likely to die on their own, and expose small fragments to thermal stress in their lab to test their resilience. Colonies that have not been altered by the temperature increase over the weeks are considered the most resilient.

These resilient corals less likely to suffer bleaching events in the future are then fragmented into small pieces – a process that accelerates their growth rate – and are finally outplanted in their natural habitat for them to reproduce and strengthen the resilience of the reef!

The project now hopes to expand across the Pacific and help to protect invaluable coral reefs on a larger scale!

Protecting marine life

The Inhambane Province in Mozambique is a precious biodiversity hotspot, home to several endangered or vulnerable species such as manta and devil rays, whale sharks, sea turtles and dugongs. Considered as an Important Marine Mammal Area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this area is nonetheless threatened by illegal fishing and overfishing.

To preserve marine life and natural habitats, Doctors Andrea Marshall and Simon Pierce created the Marine Megafauna Foundation whose 4 pillars are: “inspire, research, educate, protect”.

Since education is the first step towards understanding global issues and taking action, the Foundation initiated Ocean Guardians, an education programme aiming at empowering young people to develop conservation solutions.

Educating a generation of agents of change

The Ocean Guardians conservation curriculum has been integrated into 7 schools programmes since 2012, reaching more than 2300 students. Since 2018, the Foundation has launched the Coral Reef Club to provide young people (16 -21 years old) with professional marine conservation skills.

The Marine Megafauna Foundation also seeks to raise awareness about ocean conservation among coastal communities and local authorities to encourage a change in attitudes and behaviour regarding the protection of the country’s marine species.

And you, will you be an Ocean Guardian?