Surfing as a force for conservation

Nature

Conservation International

Name: Upstatement
Price range: $

Across the globe, thousands of the world's best surf breaks overlap with irreplaceable marine and coastal ecosystems. Yet, these critically important places are facing unprecedented threats from unsustainable development, habitat destruction, pollution and climate change — the effects of which are felt firsthand by coastal communities and surfers. Conservation International has joined forces with partners across the world to protect thousands of waves and surrounding ecosystems, through the creation of Surf Protected Areas.

Protecting world-class waves and vital marine ecosystems.

Why this matters

More than 75 percent of the world's best surf breaks are in areas where highly biodiverse ecosystems like coral reefs, coastal forests, and mangroves are in critical need of protection. Coastal forest, mangrove, seagrass, and marsh ecosystems surrounding surf breaks store more than 950 million metric tons of carbon globally, equivalent to 10 percent of global annual energy-related emissions.
What you can do

Support local communities to protect irreplaceable natural areas with high biodiversity and high carbon ecosystems through legally enforceable regulations.
Support sustainable community development through businesses linked to surfing and conservation. Build the next generation of surfer-conservationists through surf conservation camps and classes, with a focus on gender and social equity.

Learn More