Ocean Protection Ambassadors - Europe Cohort

The sustainability of life on earth and the health of our planet is inextricably linked to the health of our ocean. Environmental degradation and anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems has   led to urgent calls for countries to meaningfully protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30) through the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) to preserve what remains of ocean biodiversity and restore the ocean to abundance.

In order to ensure these efforts are effective, and MPAs provide maximum benefit to ocean biodiversity recovery and climate resilience, we must focus on the quality of protection as well as the quantity and size of MPAs. In the European Union, many countries still fall well below their national-level targets for marine protection and those areas that are protected often allow destructive bottom trawl fishing to occur. In 90% of the EU’s offshore MPAs bottom trawling negatively impacts seafloor ecosystems and sensitive habitats, and results in indiscriminate targeting of species leading to high rates of catch of non-target and juvenile fish species. Similarly, bottom trawling directly contributes to climate impacts due to the high fuel usage when compared to non-trawl fisheries, and results in the release of stored carbon from sediments on the seafloor disturbed by this practice.

Momentum is growing to ban bottom trawling in European Union MPAs. Building on the commitment made by Greece to ban bottom trawling in their MPAs in 2024, an opportunity exists to engage with governments across the region to model this ban and align with countries’ EU Marine Action Plan commitments. The leadership of young people is critical to mobilize public support for this cause while directly engaging with government officials to advance this effort.

Through the Ocean Protection Ambassador program European Union cohort, EarthEcho International, Only One, and local ocean advocacy groups are collaborating to mobilize six youth Ambassadors (ages 17-22) in key regions in the European Union, equipping participants to plan and execute creative campaigns to build the public and political momentum needed to support bottom trawl bans in EU marine protected areas.

This year-long, paid opportunity will be managed from EarthEcho International’s U.S.-based office.

In 2025, Ocean Protection Ambassador applications for the EU cohort will be accepted from applicants ages 17-22 based in the following countries:

• France
• Germany
• The Netherlands
• Spain

To apply, review the complete EU Ocean Protection Ambassador role description and complete your application by March 14 at 11:59pm EST using the options below.