From Commitment to Movement: Youth Advocacy Driving Marine Protection Forward
Since 2022, EarthEcho International’s commitments through the Our Ocean Conference have focused on building a globally connected movement of young ocean advocates equipped to advance marine conservation and the protection of 30% of the ocean by 2030.
At the centre of this effort is GenSea, EarthEcho’s digital community platform. Originally conceived as a way to connect and empower young leaders, GenSea has rapidly exceeded expectations. What began in 2022 as a pilot community of a few hundred participants has grown into a global network of more than 3,300 young ocean advocates spanning over 120 countries. This far surpasses the initial commitment target of engaging 1,500 participants by the end of 2023.
However, the real measure of success lies not in numbers alone, but in what this network has achieved.
Building Capacity, Driving Action
GenSea has created a year-round ecosystem for youth engagement by offering monthly skill-building workshops, training sessions, and direct advocacy opportunities. More than 500 participants have taken part in these programmes, developing practical skills in campaigning, policy engagement, and community organising.
Crucially, this capacity building has translated into tangible outcomes. Members of the GenSea community have contributed to public consultations and advocacy initiatives, including efforts to designate new marine protected areas and shape national ocean policies. In the United States alone, youth advocates mobilised through the platform have submitted over 485 sign-ons and public comments supporting measures such as the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the first new National Marine Sanctuary designated in U.S. ocean waters in 30 years, and broader national ocean strategies.
Globally, the network has aligned its efforts with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s Target 3 and the wider 30×30 agenda, demonstrating how youth-led advocacy can meaningfully support international conservation goals.
Linking Local Action to Global Policy
A defining feature of EarthEcho’s commitments at the Our Ocean Conference is the focus on building capacity for youth to advance key ocean policy priorities, including the BBNJ Agreement, the landmark international agreement governing biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. From the outset, EarthEcho recognised that youth engagement would be essential to building the political momentum needed for BBNJ ratification and implementation.
Through the High Seas Youth Ambassador programme, launched in partnership with the High Seas Alliance, young leaders have been equipped with funding, training, and mentorship to run national advocacy campaigns. The first cohort in 2024 included representatives from five countries. Their creative campaigns engaged over 36,300 youth and community members, raising awareness of the treaty and directly connecting with policymakers.
A second High Seas Youth Ambassador cohort in 2025 expanded this impact further, with youth leaders from seven countries continuing to build support for ratification. Collectively, these campaigns have engaged over 15,000 people, contributing to the growing global momentum that saw the treaty secure the ratifications needed to enter into force in January 2026. Through GenSea, High Seas Youth Ambassadors share their work and inspire further action among their peers worldwide to advance the protection of the High Seas.
From Digital Platform to Real-World Impact
While GenSea is a digital platform, its impact is firmly rooted in real-world outcomes. EarthEcho’s Youth Leadership Summits, organised through the platform, have brought together hundreds of participants in person and online to engage with senior government officials, share policy recommendations, and build coordinated advocacy strategies.
Simultaneously, targeted funding has enabled grassroots action. Through EarthEcho’s GenSea Sustainable Blue Economy grant programme, young leaders received financial support to implement projects ranging from coral reef restoration in Indonesia to sustainable aquaculture initiatives in Kenya and Nigeria. These projects demonstrate how global commitments can translate into local solutions tailored to community needs.
Momentum, with Room to Grow
The trajectory of the commitment first made at Our Ocean is clear: what started as a capacity-building initiative has become a globally connected advocacy force. The global community connected through GenSea has successfully mobilised thousands of young people, influenced policy processes, and contributed to one of the most significant ocean governance milestones in recent history.
Yet challenges remain. Sustained funding and expanded capacity are critical to scaling this work, particularly in underrepresented regions. Shifting focus to High Seas Treaty implementation alongside the continued urgency to meet the 30×30 goal only intensifies the importance of informed, engaged youth advocates.
A New Generation of Ocean Leaders
The impact of EarthEcho International’s commitments underscores a broader shift in ocean governance: youth are no longer peripheral voices; they are active participants shaping outcomes.
As the world moves to implement the High Seas Treaty and accelerate progress toward 30×30, digital tools like GenSea offer a conduit for how global ambition can be matched with the grassroots energy of young leaders. The result is not just a stronger movement for marine protection, but a more durable, inclusive and resilient one.
This commitment has done more than meet its targets. It has helped expand who gets to lead the fight for the ocean, and how.
“The impact of EarthEcho’s GenSea platform demonstrates the critical importance of investing in community and capacity building to support the next generation of ocean advocates. The creativity, urgency, and collaboration shown by this growing movement of young changemakers is a powerful reminder that youth leadership is essential to achieving ambitious ocean protection targets now while ensuring the long-term durability of this work.” – Sean Russell, Director of Youth Engagement, EarthEcho International
