Surf Conservation

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.

Surfing generates US$ 60 billion a year and is enjoyed by more than 35 million people across the globe — people who are deeply connected to the ocean and passionate about protecting their favorite surf spots and surrounding ecosystems. As a result, surfing can support conservation at scale, helping to safeguard critical ecosystems and waves before they are lost.

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.

What are surf protected areas?

Surf Protected Areas:

• 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, and
• Build the next generation of surfer-conservationists through surf conservation camps and classes, with a focus on gender and social equity.

This innovative approach to ocean conservation overcomes threats including irresponsible tourism development, deforestation, coral and sand mining, destructive fishing, plastic pollution, climate change and many others — so people and nature can thrive.

By 2030, Conservation International will work with partners and local communities to establish at least 100 Surf Protected Areas across the world that will protect over 300 surf breaks and transform the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Our collaborators

• Indonesian Locally Managed Marine Area Foundation (ILMMA)
• Instituto APRENDER Ecologia
• Konservasi Indonesia
• Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA)
• San Diego State University (SDSU) Center for Surf Research
• Save The Waves Coalition
• University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
• University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES) and the Anderson School of Management
• University of Southern California (USC), Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability
• World Surf League (WSL)

With funding from:

Peer-Reviewed Research

Recent Media Hits

Contact info

Scott Atkinson
Senior Director, Surf Conservation
satkinson@conservation.org
+1-808-224-2679

We greatly appreciate the visionary people who helped to launch and continue to guide this initiative. These advisory board members are generously offering their advice, engaging their friends and colleagues, and provide critical funding and support.