The High Seas Alliance (HSA) and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), congratulate ocean champion Kristina Gjerde for winning this year’s Visionary Ocean Award.
The Ocean Awards are held by Boat International in partnership with Blue Marine Foundation and aim to recognize and reward those who have shown exceptional commitment towards issues currently facing our ocean. In particular, the Visionary Award recognizes individuals (or groups) that have taken the lead on globally significant actions for the benefit of ocean health.
As an active representative on behalf of International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in both the HSA and DSCC, Kristina is indeed a visionary in ocean conservation, demonstrating leadership and great passion throughout her career. At IUCN, she is the high seas advisor to their Global Marine and Polar Program, where she fosters international efforts to improve the conservation and management of the high seas and deep seabed beyond national. Kristina also serves as an adjunct professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) at Monterey, California where she teaches international marine environmental law.
Kristina co-founded and currently serves on the boards of four initiatives: the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative, Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative, the Sargasso Sea Project and the High Seas Alliance. She is also a trusted advisor to the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. As co-founder of the Sargasso Sea Alliance, Kristina’s work has also garnered attention to the need to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Sargasso Sea.
Kristina has tirelessly championed the need for high seas conservation for nearly two decades and exemplifies the meaning of “ocean visionary”. Our members congratulate and are thrilled that she has been recognized for her achievements and look forward to continuing our work together to conserve the rich biodiversity of our ocean.
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition would also like to congratulate Juan Carlos Cardenas for his nomination as a finalist for Boat International’s Local Hero Award. Juan Carlos, the founder and director of Ecoceanos in Chile, has been an advocate and activist for marine conservation and coastal communities for over 30 years. Ecoceanos is a member of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition and was instrumental in securing support from Chile and other South American nations for the UN General Assembly resolutions adopted during the past decade calling for action to protect deep-sea ecosystems from the harmful impacts of bottom trawling on the high seas. Juan Carlos richly deserves the recognition for his work with indigenous and coastal communities in southern Chile to prevent the degradation of Patagonia’s waters and their traditional fishing grounds by the salmon aquaculture industry conferred by being nominated as a finalist for the Local Hero Award.
For further information on Kristina Gjerde and the 2018 Ocean Awards see: https://www.boatinternational.com/luxury-yacht-events/ocean-awards/the-ocean-awards-2018–37003/frame-7
For further information on Juan Carlos Cardenas and the 2018 Ocean Awards see: