OSES Final Conference: Water Sports as Gateway to Ocean Literacy

October 15, 2025, | Online

The science behind the protection of our oceans

Understanding the science behind the protection of the oceans was a key point of the first phase of the project. Indeed, a scientific foundation is crucial to provide the evidence base that underpins all the practical tools and initiatives developed throughout the OSES project, ensuring that recommendations and actions are grounded in robust research.

The University of Barcelona, one of the partner organisations in the project OSES thus oversaw the production of comprehensive report on the state of the ocean focusing on pollution impacts, climate change, biodiversity loss, and habitat destruction. The team of marine biologists and ecologist also undertook an extensive survey which revealed strong interest from instructors while identifying knowledge gaps that need addressing.

Exposure therapy and ocean literacy

Ocean literacy is a focal point of the OSES project. As highlighted by EMSEA, ocean literacy consists in understanding both the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean. Since the OSES project used water sports to raise awareness on issues related to the ocean, the concept of ocean literacy is ever present. The practice of these sports is fundamentally interdependent with the state of the ocean.

In light of this and to shape the layout of the project, EMSEA developed a handbook mapping existing programs and practices through an open call for submissions. The form was initially in English, then translated into French, Portuguese, and Spanish. In addition, EMSEA organised a workshop in Mallorca bringing together different water sports and stakeholders for creative brainstorming. Groups were randomly assigned sports and environmental issues to tackle, generating innovative solutions for making water sports more sustainable.

The importance of the concept of ocean literacy was shared by Jim Kennedy, the speaker for Canoeing Ireland. Using his practice as a basis, he highlighted that it is by experiencing nature, and notably the ocean, that people become aware of the threats it has to face and develop a willingness to protect it. Their educational tours cover seaweeds (harvesting, cosmetics, cooking), dolphin rescue participation, and teaching about plankton importance. Thanks to these experiences, they have gained an increasing knowledge of the ocean which has enabled them to constantly adapt their practices.

Giving the tools to protect our oceans

Building on the scientific knowledge and the handbook on good practices, the OSES project incorporated some tools to raise awareness about ocean literacy and adopt a bottom-up approach to nature conservation. The Surfrider Foundation, a global nonprofit, had contributed to the previously mentioned project documents and led the methodology development for the toolkit. They created a comprehensive document bridging knowledge gaps, covering marine pollution, biodiversity, and other critical topics. The toolkit features both theoretical and practical components, designed to be accessible to water sports practitioners while maintaining scientific rigor. These toolkits were central in the implementation part of the project.

Having the right tools to address and approach such complex issues has proven to be a crucial element that was brought up in the discussion. The Foundation Oceano Azul, with its many projects, illustrated this quite literally. Indeed, in collaboration with the minister of education, they have produced children’s books to raise awareness of the ocean and of marine protected areas from a young age. Through their project Educating a Blue Generation, they have also developed a toolkit destined for teachers, to help them incorporate the topic of the ocean throughout their curricula. With the objective to push for the recognition of the ocean’s strategic importance for Portugal, they act as a bridge between different stakeholders, linking scientists or athletes with the youth. 

From theory to practice: pilot programs making waves

Thanks to the documents and the toolkit produced during the first phase of the project, the objective of raising awareness from an early age through sport could then be implemented through the different pilot interventions.

In Malta, Dan Europe could fulfil its engagement for ocean literacy, sustainability and climate action with the first intervention that consisted in a diving session that put the toolkit to use as well as a citizen-based workshop. 

Then the Ligue de voile normande faced initial challenges with their first implementation project due to low attendance during exam periods. Learning from this experience, they reorganised with better timing and saw improved participation. While some tools were easier to use than others, participants were highly engaged and gained better understanding of climate and environmental issues.

The pilot project in Spain organised by Begi Bistan, alsoprovided valuable opportunities to test equipment and tools in real-world settings, helping them refine their educational approach. Through their participation in OSES, they could strengthen an aspect that was already dear to them: the implementation of education programs teaching about biodiversity while collecting trash during kayaking sessions.

Finally, the implementation with Green Coast Surfing in Portugal, was insightful to understand the limitations of the toolkit as it highlighted how tools need adaptation for different water sports contexts and emphasised the importance of timing and accessibility in youth engagement. They plan to continue using the OSES tools in future programs, demonstrating sustained commitment beyond the project timeline.

Across all these initiatives, the emphasis is on making ocean protection tangible, accessible, and relevant to young people’s lives and interests. By connecting environmental action to activities, they already love, these programs create lasting behavioural change. Each implementing partner has sustained the project’s legacy in their own way by continuing core activities and engaging with the toolkit.

Athletes and institutions leading the change

Mobilising organisations is crucial for a successful shift in behaviour and an increased awareness of the need to act for the ocean.

Martin Helseth, Olympic rower and CEO of Marea, demonstrated how athletes can mobilise their communities for environmental action. Having competed in two Olympics, he used his platform to engage the rowing community in ocean conservation.

In collaboration with World Rowing and WWF, he coordinates water cleaning initiatives and marine restoration projects. During Clean Up Week 2025, participants removed 1,200kg of waste. Currently, 100kg of tunicates are thriving under their building.

Vlaamse Roeliga (Flemish Rowing League) acknowledges the interdependence of water sport and nature conservation in that their activities impact the environment, which in turn impact their activities. This pushed them to adopt an ambitious mindset that is centred around environmental protection.
This appears clearly on their website where they have identified 11 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which they can actively contribute. This centred around the themes of sustainable water management and biodiversity protection; climate action, education, activism, and partnerships; diversity, inclusion, fair and equitable treatment; and responsible consumption and production.

Next steps

Building on the findings from project implementation and the discussions that emerged during this final conference, the project will now produce policy papers led by Ocean as Common. During the conference, they highlighted key recommendations for these papers, which will be disseminated across the EU to different levels of decision-making bodies:

• Recognising ocean sport as a catalyst for sustainability, ocean preservation and awareness raising;
• Integrating sustainable and ocean strategies across the board of local, national and EU policies;
• Empowering the leaders of ocean protection;
• Ensuring the focus on training the trainers;
• Enabling data collection and sharing;
• Developing adapted toolkits;

This final conference illuminated the successes, learnings, and outcomes of the OSES project. It exemplified core commitments of Sport and Citizenship: to advocate for green sport and to demonstrate the powerful role that sports can play in environmental education and ocean conservation. Through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, the OSES project has established a foundation for continued action in ocean sustainability through water sports.