The oceans are facing daunting problems, such as climate change, pollution and overfishing. If we continue to let this happen, not only the health of our oceans and its inhabitants keep suffering, but billions of people around the world will lose their livelihoods and food sources. Luckily, many people and organizations are fighting to preserve the oceans for future generations. Join us on our mission to bring together organizations and people that strive to preserve the quality of our oceans – and become an Ocean Witness yourself.
Our first Ocean Witness story finds its roots near the shore of Peniche (Portugal) where we follow Emanuel, one of the fishermen that changed his ways to contribute to a healthier ocean in the future. Peniche is an important harbor for fishery with a strong focus on the ocean for income surrounding the Berlengas islands – a MPA and UNESCO site. An important population of Goose Barnacles thrive in this coastal area. Read Emanuel’s inspiring story.
“I’m not going to go into all the threats and the pressures. But oceans are everybody’s business.” Ocean Witness John Tanzer on his earliest ocean stories and his outlook towards the future.
“The visibility changed and the temperature changed. And when that happened the diversity of all the coastal tide pool regions went away.” Alden Glinert on the threats the ocean is facing due to pollution.
“We have to protect the oceans and all the marine resources in the South Pacific, so that the future generations are still able to see all that lives in the ocean.” Rindah Melsen emphasizes the importance of protecting the ocean.
“My advice to young people: keep the ocean good, clean and healthy.” Tarusila Veibi has some excellent advice for future generations.
"They feel more confident and proud of what they do." Ocean Witness Daniel Andrade about his successful project in the mangroves of Brazil.
Emanuel is the president of the Berlengas’s Barnacle Fishermen Association. Together with WWF he works closely to create a better future for the oceans.
Read the storyJohn Tanzer is most notably from 2001 onwards, he was the Executive responsible for the oversight of the spatial rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park based on the Representative Areas Program.
Read the storyAlden Glinert has a background in marine science, aquarium science and environmental policy
Read the storyRindah Melsen lives on the Solomon Islands and she’s the president of the Nusatuva Women’s Saving Club.
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Tarusila Veibi is a conservationist with the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network (FLMMA) since 2008.
Read the storyDaniel Andrade, a born and raised maragogipano, grew up witnessing the changes in local fishing and the transformation of the mangroves. He became a Rare Fellow in December 2014.
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