Support Community-Led Ocean Protection
Join us in supporting the creation of “Community Seas” — marine protected areas led by local communities — and stand up for the rights of coastal communities who are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, industrial pollution, industrial expansion, and destructive fishing practices.
#OceanJustice
We call for the protection of coastal communities’ rights and their leadership in managing marine and coastal resources through the concept of Community Seas — community-led marine protected areas that prioritize ecological sustainability and local knowledge. This includes both Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) and Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) beyond formal protected areas.
It’s time to halt top-down economic policies that threaten our ocean, such as large-scale industrial projects and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Instead, we must adopt development approaches that safeguard marine ecosystems and cultural heritage — policies rooted in local wisdom, that strengthen traditional livelihoods while contributing to the nation’s sustainable economy.
We urge collaboration among governments, the private sector, and civil society to work together as allies, empowering communities to lead the way in protecting our oceans.