June 18, 2026
Conservation International’s Surf Conservation Program aims to double the number of Surf Protected Areas globally
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. (June 18, 2026) – Conservation International's Surf Conservation Program, with support from the World Surf League’s (WSL) One Ocean initiative, has launched Surf for the Ocean, a global fundraising campaign supporting the creation of Surf Protected Areas – community-led, legally protected zones that safeguard surf breaks and coastal ecosystems, support local communities and help protect waves for generations to come.
By joining the campaign, surfers around the world can track their waves and generate funding to protect surf ecosystems globally. The initiative is supported by world-renowned surfers Kai Lenny, Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Seth Moniz, Miguel Pupo and more.
Anyone who loves the ocean can join at www.conservation.org/surffortheocean – whether you are surfing, walking the coast, running, swimming, cleaning beaches, or cheering surfers from the sidelines.
On the Surf for the Ocean platform, participants create and customize their profile, track the waves they catch, and rally their community in support of the cause. Compete to see who can catch the most waves and raise the most funds for surf conservation – plus, earn prizes for climbing to the top of the leaderboard.
The campaign is live, with world-wide activity tracking starting on June 20th, International Surfing Day, during the VIVO Rio Pro in Saquarema, Brazil. Throughout the event, fans can donate to support surf conservation via Moniz, Johnson, and Pupo’s personalized pages on the campaign website. To double the impact, WSL One Ocean will also make contributions, alongside those made through the WSL CT surfers and staff profiles.
“Surfing has shaped my relationship with the ocean in the best way. Being in the ocean has made me more aware of the presence of Mother Nature. You become part of the ecological system. Encounters with wildlife give me the desire to respect and protect their habitats,” said Bettylou Sakura Johnson. “I think surfers and ocean lovers have a role in protecting surf breaks and the ecosystems we depend on because we realize how incredible the ocean is and how lucky we are to experience it. The ocean brings us happiness, and we want to help protect it and see it thrive forever.”
“Surfing has given me, my family and friends so much. The next generation deserves to surf,” said Seth Moniz. “By protecting waves and marine ecosystems, Surf for the Ocean is helping us to secure the future of surfing.”
“I’m so happy that in Brazil, Itamambuca, Francês, Moçambique, and Regência are now National Surfing Reserves, and that Guarda do Embaú, such a special place for me and my family, is a World Surfing Reserve,” said Miguel Pupo. “But we need many more. That’s why I’m joining the Surf for the Ocean movement. Waves and the ocean give us all so much, and we all need to do our part to protect them. As a father of four daughters, I want them to experience the same connection to the ocean that has given me so much throughout my life, and to enjoy the incredible lifestyle it provides in Brazil and around the world.”
Sign up as an individual or form a team of friends and family to catch waves or support the cause, fundraise together and help protect the surf breaks and coastlines we all depend on – in places like Indonesia, Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil, Fiji and more.
Coastal forests, mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes surrounding surf breaks store more than 950 million metric tons of carbon globally – the equivalent of nearly 10 percent of annual energy‑related emissions. These ecosystems are also important for biodiversity – corals, coastal plants and animal species that call them home.
“Surfing has changed my life and the lives of so many others,” said Kai Lenny, “It’s important to me that we protect the natural ecosystems that make surfing possible so future generations can enjoy the same connection to the ocean. Surf for the Ocean allows us to do what we love while taking meaningful action to protect the biodiversity behind every great wave.”
By 2030, Conservation International’s Surf Conservation Program aims to more than double its existing impact, alongside local communities, governments and organizations including Save The Waves Coalition, Instituto Aprender Ecologia, and the Indonesia Locally Managed Marine Area Foundation.
To date, the program and its partners has established 40 Surf Protected Areas, which are:
- Protecting 120 surf breaks, securing iconic coastal ecosystems;
- Helping more than 20,000 local people benefit directly from conservation efforts; and
- Conserving over 700 square miles.
Highlights from around the world include:
- In Brazil, four national surfing reserves have been designated with community leadership;
- In Costa Rica, building a sustainable blue economy linked to surfing through Surf Protected Areas; and
- On Morotai Island in Indonesia, community‑led Surf Protected Areas have improved reef health and boosted daily catch and income for local fishers.
"At the WSL, we believe surfing can be a powerful force for protecting the places that make our sport possible," said Neha Datar, Executive Director of WSL PURE and WSL One Ocean. "Surf for the Ocean gives surfers everywhere a simple way to turn their passion into action. We're proud to help bring this initiative to the global surf community and support efforts to protect waves, coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them."
“Surfing is both a personal passion and a cultural tradition for millions worldwide,” said Scott Atkinson, Senior Director of Surf Conservation at Conservation International. “Protecting the ecosystems that create the waves surfers ride is essential. Surf for the Ocean harnesses the energy and passion of the global surf community to help protect the ecosystems that surfing relies on. Together with partners like WSL One Ocean, we have an opportunity to connect the global surfing community with meaningful action to protect waves, coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.”
Read more about our work in surf conservation:
- Can these fisherman save a 3000-year tradition?
- Surf spots are climate hotspots, study finds
- Guidelines and best practices for surf ecosystem conservation
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Photos of existing Surf Protected Areas are available for media use here.
About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Visit Conservation.org for more, and follow us on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
About the WSL:
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.