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.
Surf breaks across the world are home to:
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.
Surfing is an incredible force for conservation
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.
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.
Please join us:
SUPPORT SURF CONSERVATION
For everyone who loves the ocean, surf conservation is a powerful new way to protect it.
Join us by making a one-time gift or become a Surf Conservation Sustaining Member through a monthly contribution. Consistent contributions help us amplify our global impact by providing dependable support to protect world-class waves and vital marine ecosystems.
Where we work
We are establishing a global network of Surf Protected Areas with an initial focus on these priority geographies:
OUR IMPACT
Through 2024, we have:
- Established 30 Surf Protected Areas in Indonesia, protecting over 90 surf breaks and 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of coastal and marine ecosystems, led in the field by Konservasi Indonesia, Conservation International’s main implementing partner in Indonesia, and other partners including the Locally Managed Marine Area Foundation.
- Initiated 30 more Surf Protected Areas in Indonesia to be declared by 2027, through Konservasi Indonesia and the Locally Managed Marine Area Foundation.
- Announced 4 National Surfing Reserves in Brazil to be declared in 2025, through Conservation International-Brazil and APRENDER Ecology Institute.
- Launched a project to protect surf ecosystems in 4 Latin American regions – 2 in Costa Rica and 2 in Peru, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented in partnership with Save The Waves Coalition and the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law.
- Empowered over 1,000 local youth – with a focus on gender equity – through surf conservation camps, classes and contests.
The advantages of surf conservation
Demand
Surfing communities and governments are calling for this approach because it protects the waves they value, the conserves resources they depend on and supports sustainable economy development, including responsible tourism.
Speed
Surfing communities are deeply connected to the ocean, know that it is threatened, are motivated to conserve it and are asking for our support — all of which makes the process of establishing surf protected areas move quickly.
Sustainability
Surfing generates millions of dollars for local economies and visiting surfers are willing to pay for conservation. Surfing’s massive economic value motivates communities and decision-makers to protect coastal resources and waves in the long-term.
Our collaborators
Indonesian Locally Managed Marine Area Foundation (ILMMA)
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
Across the globe, there are thousands of places where the world’s best waves overlap with ecosystems that are critically important for marine and coastal conservation — these are places we simply cannot afford to lose.
Through Surf Protected Areas surfers get to protect the places they love and everyone who loves the ocean gets a new and powerful way to expand conservation around the world.
Contact info
Scott Atkinson
Senior Director, Surf Conservation
satkinson@conservation.org
+1-808-224-2679
Surf Conservation Advisory Board Members
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.
Sarah Argyropoulos
Nico Argyropoulos
Scott K. Atkinson and Ashley Kleckner
Seren Bass
David Bauer
Jesse Sisgold
Joe Chrisman
Tom
Larkin
David Joshua Levy
Randy and Laura Sinquefield
Shannon and Bryce Skaff
Michael Spector
John Swift and the Mycorrhizal Fund
Craig Young
Brad Warga
Australian Advisory Board for Surf Conservation
Leanne Bradley
Peter Foster
Graham Kittle
Nathan Krieger
Kerry Middlemiss
Adam Morison
Peter Strain
Eric Swift
With funding from
