- During the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), the protection of breakers was highlighted as a novel and effective form of marine conservation.
On Wednesday, June 11, the event “Surf Ecosystem Conservation: an innovative approach protecting nature and spreading the benefits of the blue economy” was organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), together with Conservation International (CI), Save the Waves Coalition (STW) and the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA) in the framework of the UNOC 2025 events.
This session aimed to explore the global potential of surf ecosystem conservation as a tool to achieve the SDG 14 targets, linked to the protection of the oceans and the sustainable use of their resources. The discussion revolved around how local conservation efforts can be integrated with pro-ocean activities, such as surfing, generating sustainable environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Scott Atkinson of Conservation International opened the day by highlighting how surf break conservation serves as a starting point for developing sustainable coastal economies. “Seventy-five percent of the world's surf breaks are in areas of high biodiversity,” he said.
For his part, Meryem Sghir, from UNIDO, explained how bioeconomy strategies complement the objectives of the blue economy. “The oceans provide nature-based services for coastal protection and are a primary source for different livelihoods,” she said, adding that the ocean economy with its corresponding upward projection for 2030 is also valuable.
During the panel discussion, Carolina Butrich of the SPDA (Peruvian Society for Environmental Law), highlighted the example of Peru, a pioneer country in the legal protection of breakers with 47 waves protected in less than 10 years. "What does this mean? It means having a formal and effective regulation to protect breakers from threats. It means involving the authorities and sanctioning those who do not respect this," he complemented.
She also considered the possibility of applying the Peruvian model in other countries. While “the first step is to consider the legal framework” and “there are many examples and tools on how to protect waves and their environments” considering one or a combination of several of these, the key role of people and the necessary mobilization must be recognized. “Surfing mobilizes different actors and perspectives,” he said.
Cynthia Céspedes, from Conservation International Peru, mentioned two emblematic examples with two complementary forms of conservation. “By integrating these protection systems, such as San Gallan (National Reserve) or Cabo Blanco (wave protected under the breakers law), there is enormous conservation potential,” she said.
Laura Zumbado (STW) stressed the importance of actively involving communities and key stakeholders in conservation processes. She gave the example of Puerto Escondido in Mexico and added: "Communities are at the center of conservation. They mobilize, but institutions must also act.
Zumbado also highlighted “surfing as a powerful economic mobilizer,” pointing out the importance of integrating local actors with, for example, film festivals. Tatiana Villalobos, in this sense, added: “The approach through the management of surf ecosystems and the blue economy gives the opportunity to integrate different key actors”.
Thomas Hammond of UNIDO, meanwhile, highlighted the role of the bioeconomy in the restoration of coastal ecosystems. “Surfing ecosystems are unique in many ways,” he said, emphasizing their environmental uniqueness.
Thus, the event organized by UNIDO promoted new forms of marine management, showed with examples real opportunities for sustainable coastal economies and fostered partnerships to expand the conservation of surf ecosystems as a tool in the face of global challenges.