EarthEcho International is thrilled to announce our inaugural GenSea Sustainable Blue Economy Grant recipients. Through this program, we’re proud to support six young ocean advocates from our GenSea community as they lead projects that advance the sustainable blue economy in communities around the world. 

“To scale our efforts to protect and restore our ocean planet, young people must play a key role harnessing their creativity to drive initiatives that advance the sustainable blue economy,” said EarthEcho International founder Philippe Cousteau. “We are proud to support this inspiring group of youth leaders and their innovative projects that will improve livelihoods and economies while preserving ocean health.

Read on to learn more about our 2024-2025 GenSea Sustainable Blue Economy Grantees and follow @EarthEcho on social media for updates on their work. 

Ela Gokcigdem - Bermuda: Ela Gokcigdem is leading The Young Leaders in Ocean Governance (YLOG) Program, an initiative designed to empower youth from coastal communities in Bermuda to develop and implement sustainable ocean governance strategies. As climate change, resource scarcity, and unsustainable practices threaten marine ecosystems, YLOG bridges the gap between local expertise and global governance, equipping young professionals with the tools to address these challenges independently.  This summer, 10 Bermudian fellows will be placed with leading insurance, financial, and legal organizations. Fellows will contribute directly to their host organizations while engaging in a specialized curriculum developed with international partners like the Sustainable Ocean Alliance on topics such as the United Nations High Seas Treaty, de-risking ocean technologies, and the role of finance and law in ocean conservation. The program culminates in a capstone project, developed in collaboration with their host organization, which will be presented to Bermuda’s Parliament to ensure real-world policy impact. As the first program of its kind, YLOG creates a pipeline for youth in ocean affairs, fostering economic opportunity, local leadership, and sustainable resource management to build a more resilient and self-sufficient Blue Economy.

Dev Katyal - Canada: To address the challenges of overfishing in Canada, Dev Katyal is launching MarineMatch, an app that utilizes image classification for users to identify 60+ different types of ocean animals and fish species. The app classifies the image via an image recognition algorithm from the convolutional neural network, determining the species of the ocean creature and displaying it from the user - all within just split seconds. MarineMatch makes sure there is no excuse for irresponsible practices; fishers can easily identify the species of the fish and make responsible decisions! 

Hannah Mathenge - Kenya: Hannah Mathenge is leading the Denyenye Community Fish Farming Training Program in Kwale County, Kenya, which aims to reduce local fishermen's dependence on the Indian Ocean’s fish stocks, which have declined by 68%. Through sustainable fish farming practices, the program will provide alternative income sources while promoting environmental conservation. Through the program, participants will be trained in building fish ponds, fish breeding, water quality management, and proper feeding. The curriculum also includes harvesting, marketing techniques, and a focus on mangrove conservation, essential for protecting marine life and enhancing fish farming success. The program offers business training, covering budgeting, record-keeping, and accessing financial support to establish small-scale fish farms. The initiative will foster economic growth and long-term environmental sustainability in the region.

Sarika Sawant - United States: Through her children’s book Sophie the Shark, Sarika Sawant is working to raise awareness about the importance of kelp forests and their role in marine ecosystems. Through engaging storytelling and vibrant illustrations, this project aims to educate young readers to foster a deeper connection to and understanding of ocean life. The book will be distributed to public libraries and schools in landlocked states, encouraging children to explore and appreciate the rich diversity of underwater habitats even if they are far from the coast.

‍Emma Batty Sukerta - Indonesia: Emma Batty is leading a project to restore a segment of degraded coral reef at Mangrove Reef in Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, an ecologically significant area that has suffered from years of damage. This reef not only supports a high diversity of coral species but also sustains local livelihoods through marine tourism and fishing. In partnership with the Blue Corner Marine Research team and under the guidance of local marine biologists, Emma is using proven coral restoration techniques to restore the reef. Through this project, Emma wants to inspire and engage local youth environmentalists by involving them in the restoration process, empowering them to take an active role in protecting their marine environment and thus improving both the ecosystem and the local economy. She also hopes to demonstrate that community-driven, scientifically sound coral restoration efforts can create lasting, positive change. This project will be a model for future restoration work and highlight the importance of youth involvement in conservation.

Success Uwhuseba - Nigeria: Success Uwhuseba’s initiative, the "Conservation of Prawn Species in Ubeji River through Domestication and Water Quality Remediation" is working to address significant water pollution and biodiversity loss in the Ubeji River in Nigeria, where prawn populations declined by 35.9% in 2023. This project aims to restore the river's ecological balance through a three-phase approach. First, biweekly sampling of macroinvertebrates, water, and sediment will assess pollution levels, with findings reported to relevant regulatory bodies to guide remediation efforts. Second, the project will engage the local community by organizing seminars to educate residents on water quality remediation and the potential of prawn farming, focusing on training young people in biomonitoring, conservation techniques, and sustainable aquaculture practices. Finally, after implementing scientifically-backed remediation efforts, prawn broodstock will be introduced into culture cages in the river, with supplementary feeding provided during the growth period. The mature prawns will be periodically harvested, with 50% of proceeds reinvested into expanding the project and supporting local community development. This initiative combines environmental restoration with community education and economic opportunity, promoting sustainable practices that benefit both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of Ubeji’s residents.

The EarthEcho International’s GenSea Sustainable Blue Economy Grant program is made possible with generous support from HP.