Oceana honors key allies as 2022 Ocean Heroes

International marine conservation organization Oceana gives Ocean Heroes Award to its 36 ocean conservation partners from the government, academe, fisherfolk groups, and civil society organizations who, according to the group were instrumental in effecting the needed policy reforms and in realizing victories for the ocean and for the impoverished coastal communities most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

“Today, we celebrate the exemplary efforts of our key allies, stakeholders, and partners in the fight to save our ocean. We thank them for their strong leadership and continued support and efforts alongside Oceana’s campaigns geared towards reviving the Philippines’ marine ecosystems, including the multiple ocean victories with their invaluable collaboration,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President of Oceana.

Recently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued Memorandum Circular 2022-018, which emphasizes the responsibilities of local government units (LGUs) in ensuring that all environmentally critical projects comply with environmental safeguards, in accordance with the Philippine Environmental Statement System and related laws and regulations.

“These reforms would not have been possible without the steadfast leadership of our partners in government, academe, and civil society sectors. Likewise, the gains for our fisheries and fisherfolk had been made possible as a result of the collaboration in Oceana’s vigorous campaigns to fight illegal commercial fishing in municipal waters, habitat protection through establishment of marine protected areas under ENIPAS Act and deterring reclamation or dump-and-fill projects and strengthening of Fisheries Management Areas system. We look forward to even more victories with you all,” said Ramos.

Launched in 2016, the Ocean Heroes Awards is rooted in the partnership among Oceana, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) aimed at recognizing the significant contributions towards the sustainable management of the country’s marine resources.

See the complete list of 2022 Ocean Heroes Awardees here.

Oceana is an international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans. Since 2014, Oceana has been working closely with national and local government agencies, civil society, fisherfolk and other stakeholders to restore the abundance of Philippine fisheries and marine resources. [END]