Ocean Optimist

24/06/2026

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19/06/2026

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Studio Bruinvis gaat weer in de lucht. Nadat vorig jaar Studio Bruinvis door vandalen was vernield, is er met behulp van velen een nieuwe vandaalbestendige zuil van Studio Bruinvis geplaatst en is de boei na plaatsing en de nieuwe hydrofoon ook weer op zijn plek. Zaterdag 20 juni is de opening. Stud...

17/06/2026

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14/06/2026

🌊🩵 Deze derde Blue Meet-Up - startdag - was een leerzame, enthousiasmerende, innoverende, verrassende, verhelderende, enthousiaste, gezellige, bijzondere, energieke en vooral stroomloze - omdat Rotterdam-Zuid de gehele dag geheel zonder stroom zat - dag!

We hopen weer mooie Ocean Optimisten te mogen verwelkomen in de komende weken.

Dank jullie wel!

14/06/2026

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SHARKS, RAYS, AND THE POWER OF INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
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Not all conservation happens underwater. Sometimes it happens in conference halls, treaty negotiations, and international agreements that help protect species crossing oceans and national boundaries.
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According to assessments by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), roughly 37% of sharks, rays, and chimaeras are considered threatened with extinction. In response to these growing conservation concerns, dozens of species have been granted protections through international agreements designed to reduce exploitation, regulate trade, and encourage cooperation among nations.
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Some species are listed under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), which promotes international efforts to protect migratory wildlife. Others are included in the Sharks Memorandum of Understanding (Sharks MOU), which encourages collaborative conservation measures for shark species facing unfavorable conservation status. Many are also listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which either restricts or closely regulates international trade to help ensure that populations remain sustainable.
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The poster accompanying this post illustrates 50 shark and ray species currently protected through one or more of these international agreements. It serves as a powerful reminder that conserving wide-ranging marine animals requires cooperation that extends far beyond any single country's waters.
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🎨 Illustrations by Marc Dando.
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📚 Information adapted from educational materials produced by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group. The poster was funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection of Germany and the Principality of Monaco. The IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group is fiscally sponsored by Re.
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Have you spotted any of these treaty-protected sharks or rays while diving, snorkeling, or visiting an aquarium? Tell us which species you've encountered.
[https://sharks.cms.int/sites/default/files/publication/cms_sharks-mos4_inf.9_poster%20sharks%20and%20rays_e.pdf]

13/06/2026

🪸🐚 Save the dates:
Let's talk ... Ecology!

10/06/2026

🌊🩵 Aankomende zondag 14 juni a.s. staan de deuren van het HefHouse in Rotterdam open voor weer een inspirerende dag vol onderwaterliefde! de start van een nieuw onderwateravontuur,
ben jij erbij en wie neem je mee?

09/06/2026

Do you have an innovative idea for a product or initiative that could better protect our oceans against pollution, overfishing or species extinction? We are looking for innovators like you!

Discover the Ocean Love Innovation Award - a platform empowering creative solutions to protect our oceans. Join a global network of visionaries, apply for the award, and contribute to vital ocean conservation efforts. Explore our mission, meet our esteemed jury, and learn how your innovative idea ca...

09/06/2026

The cleaner the land, the safer the sea 🩵

08/06/2026

🌊💙 WORLD OCEAN DAY IS HERE 💙🌊

Thirty days ago, our Spring Ocean Optimists started a challenge.

Not to save the ocean in a month.

But to discover what happens when small actions become new habits.

Over the past weeks they have:
🌍 Examined their impact on the ocean
♻️ Changed daily habits
📱 Shared their experiences
🗣️ Inspired others to take action
💙 Learned why Marine Protected Areas matter

Today is World Ocean Day.

And now comes the most exciting part.

What did they change?
How many people did they inspire?
What surprised them most?
What will they continue doing after today?

In the coming days, our challengers will share their personal outcomes, lessons learned and promises for the future.

Because protecting the ocean doesn't start in the ocean.

It starts with us, stay tuned.

One ocean, one responsibility 🩵