Everyone’s Ocean
As we celebrate World Oceans Day, we are looking forward and back in time. ELAW has helped win important victories for marine protection over the last 30 years: From protecting the Tañon Strait in the Philippines, to halting a deep sea mining project off the coast of Baja California, to confronting plastic waste on the beaches in Honduras, ELAW partners have always been on the front lines. We are committed to preventing pollution and cleaning up oceans and beaches, protecting habitats, and ensuring that coastal communities can participate in decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.
In 2019, ELAW partners working in coastal communities came together at the ELAW Annual Meeting and launched the Marine Working Group (MWG). The MWG is helping lawyers develop creative solutions to common problems, share experiences, and strategize on new legal approaches. We are honored to facilitate this group, which includes members from Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Norway, Spain, and Uruguay.
We are also collaborating to host webinars on water pollution in coastal habitats, as this challenge is faced by all members of the MWG. From beach trash to medical waste, and municipal to industrial discharge, we are investigating shared challenges around the world and identifying common solutions.
Please reach out if you want to learn more, and stay tuned for announcements of our webinars!
Alejandra Serrano, Lawyer, ELAW
Heidi W. Weiskel, Scientist, ELAW
A Hero’s Legacy
An Oceans Day message would not be complete without honoring one of our most extraordinary conservation heroes, Candy Gonzales. She was a front line defender of reefs, rivers, and mangroves in Belize and around the Mesoamerican Reef Region. She was a warrior with a huge heart and deep commitment to protecting ecosystems and people, involving and inspiring new generations to take up this fight. Her legacy is immense and resonates around the world. We will continue our fight protecting oceans with Candy in our hearts.