Ocean Policy Collective

#GCTDF2026
Just 2 days to go!

Join us at the Women in Conservation Forum #WiCF on Monday where we'll be leading the Women in Marine Conservation Session.
and on Tuesday as well for #SmartOceans: Leveraging technology and data to advance ocean governance and marine conservation.

#30X30 #BBNJ

Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum

👩🏽‍🔬 Women in Marine Conservation — spotlighting leadership, advancing equity, and amplifying the voices of women driving change across marine and coastal ecosystems.
Date: March 2, 2026

Register Here: www.gctdf.org

At #GCTDF2026 we'll be taking lead on:

🌊 Smart Oceans — exploring how technology, data systems, and innovation are accelerating progress toward sustainable ocean governance and the global 30x30 target to protect 30% of land and ocean by 2030.
Date: March 3, 2026

And

We are very excited to be part of the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum #GCTDF2026 taking place in Nairobi from the 2nd-6th of March 2026.

A significant milestone in maritime history has just been reached!
With Argentina’s recent accession, the IMO’s Cape Town Agreement has officially met its ratification threshold and is set to enter into force on February 24, 2027

www.imo.org/en/mediacent...

Fish Fund launches second Call for Proposals The WTO Fish Fund opened its second Call for Proposals on 2 February, inviting developing and least-developed country (LDC) WTO members that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to apply...

@wto.org Fish Fund has opened its 2nd Call for Proposals, inviting developing & least-developed country members that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to apply for project grants aimed at supporting their implementation of the Agreement.

www.wto.org/english/news...

This is a promotional image for a webinar titled "Why the Ocean Matters: From Everyday Life to the High Seas," scheduled for 24 February at 9 am EST via Zoom. The background is a blue ocean-themed design, and there are seven individuals smiling and holding signs related to ocean conservation. Logos at the bottom include Wildtrust, UNDP, The Ocean Foundation, Oceans 5, The Ocean Project, and World Ocean Day. A "Let's Talk BBNJ" logo is in the upper right corner.

Join us for our first Youth Edition of the “Let’s Talk #BBNJ” webinar series.

In this session, we will explore why the ocean matters and why youth advocacy is critical to shaping the future of the global ocean commons.

Register here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qzmjMm

#60toGlobal

This is a promotional image for a webinar titled "Why the Ocean Matters: From Everyday Life to the High Seas," scheduled for 24 February at 9 am EST via Zoom. The background is a blue ocean-themed design, and there are seven individuals smiling and holding signs related to ocean conservation. Logos at the bottom include Wildtrust, UNDP, The Ocean Foundation, Oceans 5, The Ocean Project, and World Ocean Day. A "Let's Talk BBNJ" logo is in the upper right corner.

Join us for our first Youth Edition of the “Let’s Talk #BBNJ” webinar series.

In this session, we will explore why the ocean matters and why youth advocacy is critical to shaping the future of the global ocean commons.

Register here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qzmjMm

#60toGlobal

THIRD BBNJ SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION FORM The Third BBNJ Symposium will be taking place from 10–12 March 2026 at Museu do Amanhã in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Registration for the full Symposium event is free. The National Institute for Ocean R...

You can still register for the third BBNJ Symposium happening in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (and virtually) through the link below.

Date: 10-12 March 2026

docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/...

Promotional banner for an online briefing with the International Union for Conservation of Nature on 4 February at 4 PM UTC+8 / 9 AM CET. Features a QR code for registration and a photo of Aurelie Spadone in the right corner.

Don't miss this tomorrow!

To support the next phase for the #HighSeasTreaty, we launched "Let's talk #BBNJ". Join us for the second webinar with IUCN!

🔗 Register here: https://highseasalliance.org/2026/01/22/join-us-for-our-second-lets-talk-bbnj-webinar/

#60toGlobal

February 2nd is #WorldWetlandsDay.

Protecting wetlands is essential because they sustain biodiversity, regulate water and climate, and preserve the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge that communities have relied on for generations.

Wonderful tribute! Kristina really believed in the power of convening people.

ALERT - Funding opportunity for coral researchers! @cordap.bsky.social just launched its Call for Proposals under the Coral Local Innovation Program. 🪸
cordap.org/clip-award/

ICONEC Steering Committee Interest Form The International Carbon Ocean Network for Early Careers (ICONEC) community is seeking nominations for new steering committee members and regional co-chairs. Please consider using this form to nominat...

The International Carbon Ocean Network for Early Careers (ICONEC) community is seeking nominations for new steering committee members and regional co-chairs.

You may use the form below to nominate yourself.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

A historic moment for the ocean!
The #BBNJ Agreement enters into force today, 17 January 2026.

We spoke to Dr. Ina Tessnow-von Wysocki, Amelia Westmoreland and Tracy Kadessa and they shared with us their reflections and hopes on the future of the ocean post BBNJ 👇👇

CELEBRATE A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE OCEAN! - High Seas Alliance The High Seas (BBNJ) Treaty will enter into force on 17 January 2026- a landmark achievement for global ocean protection and multilateral cooperation.

The High Seas Alliance invites to you to a virtual celebratory reception on the 19 January, 2026 at 9:00 am EST.

Join the global community in honoring decades of collective effort as we build momentum for universal ratification of #BBNJ #HighSeasTreaty
highseasalliance.org/2025/12/17/c...

We're counting down to the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement!
The #BBNJ Agreement enters into force on 17 January, 2026!

2026 is here!

Happy New Year from all of us at Ocean Policy Collective.

Here’s to a year of stronger cooperation, smarter policy, and healthier oceans.

We extend our condolences to her family and friends across the globe.

Often described as the mother of the high seas, Kristina has long been a trailblazer in #OceanGovernance, particularly in advancing the protection of the high seas and championing science-based, equitable approaches to marine conservation.

There was no need for a lengthy explanation-she understood, instinctively and completely, that women’s leadership in ocean governance is central to how we protect the ocean and shape fair, effective international policy

Kristina Gjerde was one of the first people we approached about Women and the Ocean Worldwide (WOW) when it was still taking shape and she was really excited about it.

Graphic titled 'High Seas Treaty Ratification Tracker' showing Japan has joined with a total of 77 ratifications and 145 signatures including theirs. The image features the Japanese flag on a map, and logos of High Seas Alliance, surrounded by oceanic and navigational motifs.

We’re thrilled to share that Japan🇯🇵 has ratified (acceded) the #HighSeasTreaty.

Every new ratification brings us closer to truly universal participation in this landmark Agreement.

Let’s keep the momentum going! 🌎 #60ToGlobal
https://highseasalliance.org/treaty-ratification/

Today at #WOWVirtual Summit, we'll be convening a high-level panel bringing together leading voices in ocean law, diplomacy, and justice to examine how legal frameworks can drive real, lasting ocean sustainability.

Join us Here
docs.google.com/forms/d/1aLV...

We conclude day 1 of #WOWVirtualSummit with an excerpt reading from "The High Seas" by Dr. @oliveheffernan.bsky.social and a discussion thereafter guided by Mariama Fofana.

Event registration Women and the Ocean Worldwide (WOW) recognizes that women across the globe — from marine scientists, technicians, and policymakers to educators, artists, and community leaders — are at the forefront o...

She is the Data Team lead at @globalfishingwatch.org , which creates and publicly shares map visualizations, data and analysis tools, and reports to enable scientific research and drive transformation of how we manage our ocean.

Register Here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The ocean is speaking and Hannah Linder is helping us read it!

At the #WOWVirtualSummit, we're thrilled to feature Hannah Linder with her lightning talk -She Maps the Ocean: Data for Marine Biodiversity Sustainability.

Collectively, we can defend our ocean ecosystems, elevate coastal communities, and build resilience.
Join us for this fireside chat as we explore how collective action can safeguard our blue planet.

Register Here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Her pioneering research successfully prioritises traditional Māori knowledge and materials with mainstream science to restore declining marine species and spaces.

#WOWVirtualSummit

Kura Paul-Burke (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakahemo) is a marine restoration ecologist. She is the first and only Māori female professor of marine science in Aotearoa New Zealand.