Since the 1992 United Nations Conference in Rio de Janeiro, on June 8th the world celebrates World Oceans Day. Every 8 June, we have an opportunity to raise global awareness of the benefits humankind derives from the ocean and our individual and collective duty to use its resources sustainably.
World Oceans Day is also an opportunity for ocean research institutions, governments and NGO’s around the world to strengthen public engagement and build greater ocean literacy so we can all have a greater understanding of what we can do to protect the health of our ocean.
This year, the theme for World Oceans Day is “Gender and the Ocean”, an opportunity to explore the gender dimension of humankind’s relationship with the ocean.
The importance of gender equality, in particular for the effective conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources is increasingly being recognized. However, there is very little research on these issues. As a result, focussed action towards gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is still needed in all ocean-related sectors to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5.
To honour World Oceans Day, I wanted to celebrate some of the people who are doing incredible work to protect our oceans, and since this year’s theme is gender and the ocean, I want to highlight the amazing women who are on the frontlines of ocean conservation.
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
I have to start with my ultimate marine policy icon, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Ever since discovering Ayanna on Twitter earlier this year, I’ve been in awe of her passion, drive, and impact on ocean issues.
She previously served as the co-chair of the Waitt Institute, where she co-founded the Blue Halo Initiative and led the Caribbean’s first successful island-wide ocean zoning effort, resulting in the protection of one-third of Barbuda’s coastal waters.
She is the founder of not one, but two, amazing ocean projects: Ocean Collectiv, a consulting firm providing ocean solutions rooted in social justice, and Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank working with coastal cities to influence policy change.
What I think is most admirable about Ayana is her focus on community and collective impact. She is all about working with people and addressing ocean issues together – something that I’ve learned the value of in my own work. She is empowered, fun, brave, brilliant, and I am so glad that I have her to look up to as a role model.
Sylvia Earle
Next up on our list is the OG ocean explorer: Sylvia Earle. At 83 years old, Sylvia Earle has logged over 6000 hours underwater and is one of the most badass ocean activists on this planet. Sylvia Earl has been paving the way for women in ocean conservation and marine science for decades, shattering glass ceilings and establishing a prominent legacy in this industry.
Named one of Time magazine’s “Heroes of the Planet”, she was the first woman to become chief scientist at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and she’s been a National Geographic explorer in residence since 1998.
Currently, she is on a mission to increase the percentage of the ocean that is protected from 6% to 30% by 2030.
Asha de Vos
Asha de Vos is a marine biologist, educator, BADASS National Geographic Explorer, and everything that I aspire to be in life. She is using media outreach tools in order to change the way that we talk about the environment and engage the public with marine conservation issues.
She’s currently as post-doc scholar at the University of California Santa Cruz, where she’s working with a team of scientists to try to mitigate the impact of ship strike on this unique population of blue whales.
She coined the term ‘The Unorthodox Whale’ based on many years of research on the blue whales around Sri Lankan waters and a realization that they were simply – different. She’s presented this along with many other research findings in countries all over the world and in June 2012, was selected as a panelist for the Oceans themed Sustainable Development Dialogue at the UN organized Rio+20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Hannah Rudd
I recently started following Hannah on Twitter and have been so inspired by her energy and passion for marine conservation. She’s an MSc student at the University of York, researching whale sharks in the Maldives and great white sharks in South Africa. (Um, talk about the coolest
Hannah is also passionate about science communication. She works as a digital content editor for New Nature Magazine and is the spokesperson for Pint of Science, York, working with the communications team to improve the effectiveness of science communication across the UK.
Hannah also started a project called Leading Women in Marine Science where she interviews women all over the world who are working on marine issues in order to highlight the diversity of women working across a variety of disciplines.
Madison Stewart
Madison Stewart, also known as “Shark Girl Madison”, has been one of the most passionate and persistent ocean activists that I’ve ever come across. She’s a filmmaker raising awareness about shark conservation and the illegal shark-fin trade.
What I admire most about Madison is her ability to really step back and see the whole picture. She’s highlighted the importance of having meaningful conversations with shark fishermen rather than simply acting out of anger and I think this ability to meet people where they’re at is what’s made her so successful in her
Dr. Jennifer Silver
Dr. Jennifer Silver is a professor at my home university who’s doing incredible research on marine resource management and ocean governance in Canada. When I initially started looking into research topics for my graduate program, the response from everyone I spoke to was “Talk to Dr. Silver” – her name is synonymous with marine research in this area!
Prior to becoming a professor at Guelph, Dr. Silver held
She has gone before the Canadian government to discuss her work on west coast fisheries and help shape policy decisions.
Among all of her impressive academic and professional achievements, Dr. Silver is an inspiring professor who motivates and encourages students and I personally feel very honoured that I’ve had the opportunity to get to know her.
