UN Ocean Decade

🔵 #UNOC3: The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (9-13 June 2025, Nice, France) is accepting applications for side events! Side events can be organized either in-person or virtually, by Member States, the UN system, intergovernmental organizations and accredited non-governmental stakeholders. The side events will be an opportunity for all participants to share knowledge and solutions to accelerate implementation of #SDG14, identify new and emerging issues, exchange national and local experiences and practices, and showcase voluntary commitments for the Voluntary Ocean Commitments. Deadlines for applications depend on whether your event will be on-site, off-site, or online, and range from 14 March to 21 April 2025. 👉 Find all the info you need to apply here: https://lnkd.in/dqy3ySpE

🌊 Ocean Decade Weekly Round-Up | What’s Happening This Week Here are some exciting #OceanDecade activities taking place around the world: 🇦🇷 La Argentina Oceánica (Córdoba, Argentina | Ongoing) Led by Universidad de la Defensa Nacional UNDEF, this initiative promotes sustainable fishing and marine species protection through public education and academic outreach: https://lnkd.in/eQ7f9ENT 📬 UPU Letter-Writing Competition (Worldwide | Until 9 October) Universal Postal Union, UNESCO and International Maritime Organization invite youth aged 9–15 to write a letter as the ocean – sharing why and how people should protect it. An inspiring global contest to uplift the voices of future ocean stewards: https://lnkd.in/eAGBfiJ7 🏅 Bil Loth Ocean Decade Award (Worldwide | Until 30 April) Established in memory of Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) President Bil Loth, this award supports transformative ocean R&D, especially in subsea technology and sustainability: https://lnkd.in/edaaAum5 🔗 View the full calendar of Decade-endorsed activities: https://lnkd.in/e8HC4cWm                   #OceanDecade #YouthEngagement #OceanLiteracy #ClimateAction

All aboard the "Floating University"! This week, the German research vessel POLARSTERN set sail from the subtropical Mindelo, Cabo Verde, on a special expedition: on board are 13 Master’s students from West Africa, who will experience marine research first hand during the two-week voyage to Bremerhaven, Germany. Led by GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel and endorsed by the #OceanDecade as part of the WASCAL project, this expedition is a unique learning opportunity for students, who will collect valuable data for international marine research as well as for their own master’s theses. 👉Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eemRNScp

#SundaySpecies: Sharks and rays are more than ocean icons – they’re relatives! Both belong to a group of ancient fish called elasmobranchs, which means their skeletons are made of cartilage, not bone. They've been around for over 400 million years... long before the dinosaurs. From the graceful glide of a manta ray to the silent strength of a reef shark, these species help keep marine ecosystems balanced and healthy. Let’s celebrate these fascinating creatures and protect the waters they call home. 💙 🎥 IG: alexkyddphoto

New #OceanDecade resource: the new guide “Introduction to Developing DNA Reference Barcode Sequences" seeks to advance the DNA library of marine species 🧬 Produced by the West Coast Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network – a regional chapter of the Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON), an initiative endorsed by the #OceanDecade – this guide aims to advance standards for collecting and cataloging DNA from marine species, enhancing a revolutionary method for monitoring ocean biodiversity. In this publication, you'll find best practices for cataloging DNA reference databases to improve accuracy and consistency in genetic reference libraries, including: 🔹 recommendations for every stage of collecting and identifying marine specimens found across the ocean 🔹 instructions on activities including field collection, specimen sorting and photography, tissue sampling, lab-based analysis, DNA extraction and amplification, barcode sequencing, data archiving, and submission to a publicly accessible DNA reference database 👉 Download it here: https://lnkd.in/eVz36wEi

Get the scoop! Our monthly newsletter is loaded with standout achievements from the world’s biggest ocean science movement. Here’s what’s made waves last month: 🌊 80 brand-new Decade Actions boosting global ocean impact 🧭 The Qingdao Declaration – spotlighting science that’s shaping sustainable and resilient coastal cities 🌟 New features in our Ocean Science in Action series 🔁 A quick round-up of the latest from our global network 📅 A sneak peek at what’s coming up – mark your calendar! ✨ And much more! Read now 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g2w5VYCP Stay on top of our updates: subscribe 📩 https://ow.ly/fwYj50TmH7m

“My first Discovery Scuba experience changed the way I saw the planet. The moment I submerged, I felt a deep sense of belonging, like I was part of the ocean itself,” said Alexandre Silva. To bring that life-changing experience to the next generation of ocean leaders, Silva founded Projeto TransforMAR, an environmental organization in Brazil that brings the joy of SCUBA to young people, especially those in under-resourced communities who would not normally have access to these kinds of underwater recreational activities. TransforMAR has already transformed 500+ young people into ocean advocates through real-world and science-based education. 👉 Read more about TransforMAR and how you can get involved in our #GenOcean blog: https://lnkd.in/eKxsFj-G ………. "Minha primeira experiência com o Discovery Scuba mudou a forma como eu via o planeta. No momento em que submergi, senti uma profunda sensação de pertencimento, como se eu fosse parte do próprio oceano", disse Alexandre Silva. Para levar essa experiência de mudança de vida à próxima geração de líderes do oceano, Silva fundou a TransforMAR, uma organização ambiental no Brasil que leva a alegria do mergulho autônomo aos jovens, especialmente àqueles de comunidades com poucos recursos que normalmente não teriam acesso a esse tipo de atividade recreativa subaquática. A TransforMAR já transformou mais de 500 jovens em defensores do oceano por meio de educação baseada na ciência e no mundo real. 👉 Leia mais sobre o TransforMAR e como você pode participar em nosso blog #GenOcean: https://lnkd.in/eKxsFj-G #OceanDecade #ScubaDiving #SCUBA #OceanLeaders #OceanEducation #YouthEngagement

🎙️ New podcast alert! Have you ever wondered how scientists concretely manage to study the ocean? In this new mini-series of the BioEcoOcean podcast, experts explain how global ocean observations help us understand marine ecosystems, track biodiversity, and monitor environmental change. 🌏 In the first episode, created in collaboration with Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), experts discuss the latest advancements in marine life monitoring, the importance of biodiversity observations, and how global collaboration drives better ocean management: 🔹 Clive McMahon - co-chair of the GOOS Biology and Ecosystems Expert Panel and Animal Borne Ocean Sensors (AniBOS) network 🔹 Lina Mtwana Nordlund - member of the GOOS Biology and Ecosystems Expert Panel, lead of the seagrass Essential Ocean Variable, coordinator of the BioEcoOcean project 🔹 Moderator - Nina Lepola (Uppsala University) Tune in now: https://spoti.fi/427YQYf

Join Jean Aude from ALCATEL SUBMARINE NETWORKS MARINE Networks and Peter Burger from UNESCO Ocean at the 2025 ICPC | International Cable Protection Committee Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada for a presentation on the critical importance of ocean data sharing. Happening on 15 April at 4pm local time, this event called 'Ocean Data Sharing: Why and How the Private Sector Should Contribute to a Healthy Ocean' will: 🔹 outline the opportunities for the submarine cable industry to share privately-held ocean data 🔹 present the Ocean Decade Corporate Data Group and their recently-released Bathymetry Data Sharing Guideline 🔹 feature insights from Jean Aude of Alcatel Submarine Network, a member of the Ocean Decade Corporate Data Group, on the benefits for the private sector to engage with global ocean data sharing efforts. 👉 Find more information and register here: https://lnkd.in/erXhBDUg   👉Learn more about the Ocean Decade Corporate Data Group here: https://lnkd.in/eDuikRRD 

The #OceanDecade endorses 14 initiatives to build capacity and empower the next generation of ocean professionals. 🤝 From advancing training and education to strengthening networks for Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs), these projects directly support Decade Challenge 9, which focuses on building the skills, knowledge, and resources needed for inclusive ocean science and sustainable development. Congratulations to the organisations leading these impactful initiatives: The Crown Estate, soneomap, Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research, Ocean University of China, European Commission, Tohoku University, Conectar para Conservar NGO (Connecting People, Conserving Nature), University of Tasmania, Ministry of Maritime Economy and Coastal Protection, Marine Technology Cooperation Research Center (MTCRC), OZEAON, GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, Pukyong National University ✨