WHAT WE DO
We judicially enforce Ocean protection obligations (Ocean Litigation), advance an ethical human-Ocean relationship (Ocean Rights), work alongside Ocean-dependent and Indigenous communities (Ocean Guardianship), and disseminate specialised legal expertise through educational tools (Ocean Literacy).
In collaboration with our partners, we strive to realise our vision—a world where the Ocean and marine species flourish, safeguarded by globally recognised and enforced legal rights.
THE OCEAN IN CRISIS
At the midpoint of the UN Ocean Decade, the Ocean continues to be under siege. A lack of judicial enforcement of marine protection obligations and a predominant anthropocentric worldview informs Ocean governance and undermines the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Climate litigation has set a precedent with an undeniable lesson: assertive legal enforcement is necessary to transform protection obligations from rhetoric into genuine action. Like a powerful current, our actions are gaining strength and momentum.
With its 4 departments, OVL is tackling the main impediments for effective marine protection: laws that go unenforced, decision making that puts human interests above the health and integrity of marine ecosystems, a lack of understanding of and respect for diverse knowledge systems and worldviews, and an inadequate understanding of the deep and interconnected human-Ocean relationship.
OCEAN LITIGATION
The beginning of Climate Litigation was like a fresh wind that uplifted individuals, organisations and small island States worldwide to stand up for their rights. It provided a tool to enforce their interests: Suddenly individuals also had a seat at the table that had previously been reserved for politicians.
Like the wind of Climate Litigation, our aim is to create a global wave of Ocean Litigation, encouraging individuals, organisations and States globally to take legal action to enforce the protection of the marine environment.
Strategic litigation to:
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Elevate the universal, legally binding obligation to protect the marine environment
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Achieve the 30 by 30 target
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Develope a robust marine protection framework.
OCEAN RIGHTS
We aim to embed an ethical relationship between humanity and the Ocean in global governance. We envision a relationship where human activities respect the Ocean’s ecological capacities; economic models prioritise long-term health over short-term gains; Indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge drive policy and action; and humanity embraces a collective shift in behavior, honoring our responsibilities as caretakers of the Ocean.
Ultimate Goal: International law recognises and respects the inherent rights and intrinsic value of the Ocean (‘Ocean Rights’).
Strategic Intentions:
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Organising and scaling the Ocean Rights Movement
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Operationalising Ocean Rights by ensuring its implementation
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Developing new laws and policies that recognise and respect the Ocean’s inherent rights and intrinsic values:
OCEAN GUARDIANSHIP
We partners with Ocean-dependent and Indigenous communities to uphold and amplify their existing strengths, legal traditions, and stewardship practices. Through collaborative, values-based legal support, the Department advances community-led approaches to Ocean governance rooted in justice, reciprocity, and relational care.
Ocean Guardianship refers to a relationship-based, care-centred approach to protecting and sustaining the OOcean, rooted in values of reciprocity, respect, and interdependence between people and marine ecosystems. It represents more than environmental stewardship – it is a spiritual, cultural, and legal paradigm that recognises the Ocean as a living relative, not merely a resource or economic commodity.
We accompany and support frontline Ocean stewards in their efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems, advance Ocean equity, and reimagine Ocean governance by:
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Providing legal research and policy analysis that centres local and Indigenous knowledge;
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Strengthening community capacity for legal advocacy and rights-based approaches;
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Co-creating legal tools and frameworks that reflect the values of reciprocity, stewardship, and justice;
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Promoting the recognition of OOcean Rrights as essential to both ecological and human wellbeing.
OCEAN LITERACY
We translate complex marine legal frameworks into accessible, actionable knowledge to empower communities, policy makers, advocates and all Ocean defenders to uphold and enforce the laws that safeguard the Ocean’s health and resilience. We utilise Ocean Literacy as a strategic foundation to ensure that legal mechanisms for Ocean protection are not confined to courtrooms and treaty texts, but actively upheld by those most affected by Ocean degradation. Freely available resources include lectures, workshops, policy briefs and toolkits.
VIDEO MESSAGE FOR THE OUR OCEAN CONFERENCE 2024