“Now, nothing is normal” – six ocean experts share their hopes, fears and solutions for our blue planet.

To understand what’s happening to the seas, we asked the people who know them best. Their stories might just change the way you see our oceans.

31st January 2022
Oceans
Blog

What does the ocean mean to you? For some of us it’s a source of wonder, adventures and happy memories.

For others it’s a livelihood, an identity or a way of life. None of us can survive without healthy oceans, but those who spend their lives in and around it understand this better than most.

In 2021, Greenpeace traveled to the Indian Ocean to investigate destructive fishing and study sea life. The region’s island and coastal communities have huge knowledge of the ocean, and the locals have vital stories to tell.

We heard how destructive fishing, pollution and climate breakdown is affecting their lives – and how they’re fighting back. These stories, assembled with the support from People’s Postcode Lottery, show why social justice and environmental protection go hand-in-hand.

Madame Kokoly

Madame Kokoly lives in a remote coastal village in Madagascar, and makes her living from fishing. She relies on the ocean for survival and has witnessed its decline first-hand over decades. Overfishing and habitat destruction have taken a heavy toll on her and those in her community.

See Madame Kokoly's story

Kylian

Seven year old Kylian from Mauritius always loved his hair, and refused to get it cut. But after hearing about an oil spill off the Mauritian coast, he finally took the plunge, sending his beloved curls to add to a barrier that would absorb oil and stop the spill from spreading.

See Kylian's story

Aurelie

Aurelie is a Mauritian scientist and daughter of a fisherman, who always felt a strong connection with the ocean. Growing up by a beach, she witnessed the unsustainable developments affecting the ocean. Here, she tells her story about generations of ocean protectors.

See Aurelie's story

Terence and Monica

Terence and Monica joined a community group called Anse Royale Watershed Committee near their home in the Seychelles. Together, the team works to restore local mangrove forests. The rejuvenated mangroves help shield the community from the worst impacts of climate change, and make the whole coastline less vulnerable.

See Terence and Monica's story

Emma

Conservationist Emma is using science to protect her local marine environment. The Aldabra Coral Atoll, where she works, is one of the largest and least disturbed in the world. It is a sanctuary for rare animals, and has the largest population of giant tortoises in the world. The success of Emma’s conservation work show’s what’s possible for ocean protection, with evidence-based management and a bit of political will.

See Emma's story

Athina

Athina and her fellow reef rescuers are building ‘coral nurseries’ that grow new corals to restore degraded reefs. The ground-breaking project was started a decade ago, and the oceans have been reaping the benefits ever since.

See Athina's story

We’re fighting for ocean protection alongside these communities, building alliances and solidarity in our campaigning for protections that support people as well as saving wildlife and fighting climate breakdown.

Funding for this kind of work, big and small, is incredibly important, and we have so many of our great supporters to thank for that. We also want to give a special thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their support.