The Ocean Defenders Project – Collaborative initiative to bring support to ocean defenders worldwide

Ocean Defenders are at the forefront of efforts to protect the oceans against threats to the marine environment and human rights

A rapid acceleration of economic development in marine and coastal environments is leading to environmental injustices and human rights issues.

Ocean defenders worldwide are actively defending their territories, the marine environment, and human rights. This platform provides a space to share stories relating to the experiences, struggles and resistance efforts of ocean defenders, and to learn about the types of actions that can be taken to support ocean defenders.

Learn more from real-world case studies of ocean defenders.

A brief introduction
to ocean
defenders

What is happening in the oceans?

The oceans have always been a frontier for economic activities. Increasing global demand for resources has sparked an accelerated race for food, materials, and space within the ocean realm. The rapid pace of growth and increasing scale of economic activities in the ocean poses significant challenges for the marine environment and coastal populations. Where ocean development is pursued without restraint, environmental and social injustices and human rights issues are occuring.

Who are ocean defenders?

Ocean defenders are individuals and groups who take action to defend and protect marine and coastal environments and the human rights of coastal populations against existential threats. Ocean defenders often have to confront an array of challenges, including routine marginalization, criminalization, threats, violence and assassinations, as they resist economic activities that pose risks to established relationships with and human rights to healthy marine and coastal ecosystems. Local groups and networks of Ocean Defenders are active in all regions of the global oceans.

What is the goal of this website?

The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. This website is a portal for sharing stories and knowledge on the struggles and resistance efforts of ocean defenders, resources that might be valuable to ocean defenders, and insights into actions that can be taken by allies to support ocean defenders. Outputs from the project will be shared on an ongoing basis.

The Ocean Defenders Project is a collaborative initiative that aims to increase understanding of, raise the profile of, and bring greater support to ocean defenders worldwide. This section of the website provides information about the aims, activities and outputs of The Ocean Defenders Project, as well as project the collaborators, advisory group, and funders and partners who make this work possible.

About the project

Learn more about project objectives, collaborators, advisors, partners, and funders.

Case Studies

Delve into case studies of struggles and resistance efforts of ocean defenders around the world.

Read recent updates on the Ocean Defenders Project:

January 30, 2026

Defending the Sea from Offshore Oil Exploration in Argentina

This case study examines the social mobilization against offshore oil exploration in Argentina, sparked in 2022 after government authorization for seismic surveys near Mar del Plata. The movement, led by the Asamblea por un Mar Libre de Petroleras, brought together citizens, scientists, NGOs, and local governments to contest extractivist development and demand democratic participation in ocean governance.

Argentina

January 30, 2026

Ancestral Waters: Calamian Tagbanwa People reclaim title and revitalize governance over land and sea territories in Palawan, the Philippines

The Tagbanwa People of the Calamian Islands are navigating complex legal issues in the Philippines to resist incursions from external development pressures and reclaim, govern, and manage their ancestral domains on land and in the sea.

Philippines

January 25, 2026

Paper: The critical role of allied organizations in supporting ocean defenders

Learn more about our latest open access research on the role of allied organizations in supporting and safeguarding ocean defenders.

October 20, 2025

Defensores del Océano: Protectores del ambiente marino y de los derechos humanos

Este informe está dedicado a las y los defensores del océano en todo el mundo que se organizan, abogan y protestan por la protección del medio marino, de sus territorios y recursos, y de sus derechos humanos. Esperamos que contribuya a ampliar el conocimiento sobre su labor, a generar una mayor atención y a fortalecer el apoyo hacia quienes defienden el océano.

September 28, 2025

Future Funding Needs to Support and Safeguard Ocean Defenders

Ocean defenders play a crucial role in protecting marine ecosystems and human rights, yet face escalating risks and chronic underfunding. Strategic investment is urgently needed to strengthen their capacity, security, and networks. This brief outlines key funding priorities and recommendations for donors committed to safeguarding those defending our ocean’s future.

March 31, 2025

Ocean governance and the protection of ocean defenders

This book chapter outlines a research agenda that emphasizes the need for co-developed, ethical research to better understand governance gaps, human rights violations, and the role of civil society.

Resources

Check out publications, presentations, videos and other resources related to ocean defenders.

If you need to get in touch with us for any reason, whether it is to suggest new case studies or ask questions about the ones showcased here, please do not hesitate to reach out. Provide us with your contact details and inquiry below, and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

A brief introduction to ocean defenders