JANUARY 2026-ClubOcean® Actions

January opened the year with momentum and determination.
From frozen landscapes to tropical waters, conservation efforts pushed forward despite harsh weather and busy schedules. Dolphins continued to be monitored, seabirds rescued and carefully rehabilitated, beaches cleared of tons of waste, coral reefs closely watched, and sharks became powerful ambassadors for ocean education.

This month highlighted the many faces of protection: emergency care for injured wildlife, long hours of scientific research, hands-on education for students, and communities coming together to take responsibility for the ocean they depend on. January showed that conservation doesn’t pause at the start of a new year, it accelerates.

As 2026 begins, these collective actions set the tone for the months ahead: grounded in science, driven by compassion, and united by a shared commitment to protect marine life and the ecosystems that sustain it. 🌍🦈🐧💙

Protecting Corals and Building What Comes Next From 

Ocean Gardener x ClubOcean®

December to February, the peak of the rainy season brings challenging sea conditions, limiting active coral planting. During this period, Ocean Gardener focused on essential maintenance and monitoring activities, ensuring restoration sites remain stable while awaiting improved weather conditions. During recent monitoring dives, the team successfully removed 16 crown-of-thorns starfish, helping protect vulnerable coral colonies from further damage.

This quieter field period has also been used productively to strengthen future impact. The team has been actively developing new projects, preparing grant proposals, and completing reports. These efforts have already paid off, with Ocean Gardener securing two new grants to support upcoming training programs and the creation of a virtual reality experience that will allow school students around Nusa Penida to explore a giant coral colony through immersive underwater footage.

In addition, Ocean Gardener continues to share its expertise within the wider conservation community, with Vincent scheduled to speak at Bali Ocean Days this Friday. This month highlights the organization’s commitment to adapting to environmental conditions while investing in innovation, education, and long-term reef conservation. 🪸🌧️🎓

Winter at Its Coldest: Ganuk and Henry at Home in Arctic Conditions

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat x ClubOcean®

January brought extreme winter conditions to Cochrane, with overnight temperatures dropping to as low as −40°C. While these temperatures can be challenging for people, Ganuk and Henry have remained perfectly comfortable thanks to their thick layer of fat and double-layered coats. The cold has also brought plenty of sunshine ideal weather for polar bears. Henry has been making the most of these bright days by spending time in the lake enclosure, walking across the frozen lake to reach his favourite day beds and enjoying long naps in the sun. Ganuk has also been resting outdoors, though he prefers to stay closer to home when choosing his day beds. With a long winter still ahead, it’s reassuring to see Cochrane’s most famous residents truly at home in their Arctic environment. 🐻❄️

Connecting People and Sharks Through Education in Thailand

Shark Guardian x ClubOcean®

Community Cleanup at Kedonganan Beach

R.O.L.E Foundation x ClubOcean®

On January, the R.O.L.E. Foundation organized a beach cleanup at Kedonganan Beach. The event brought together 70 participants, including R.O.L.E. Foundation staff, Bali WISE students, public school students from SD 6 Benoa, and volunteers.

From 07:00 to 08:30 AM, the team collected a total of 1,105.1 kg of waste. Residue made up the majority (74.2%), followed by hard plastics such as cups, bottles, cutlery, and styrofoam (9.3%), reflecting the ongoing impact of single-use materials along the coast.

All waste was sorted and managed responsibly. Glass bottles, hard and soft plastics, rubber slippers, and aluminum cans were sent to local Waste Banks, while residue and ghost nets were transported to the landfill. This cleanup once again highlighted the power of community action and the importance of Zero Waste practices in protecting coastal environments 🌊♻️

Protecting Sea Turtles and Shores: DEKAFOK’s January 2026 Highlights

Dekafok x ClubOcean®

In January, DEKAFOK combined education, community action, and sea turtle rehabilitation. During the first week of the school holidays, 185 students participated in environmental education programs, learning about beach cleaning and marine conservation. A dedicated team of seven carried out a 5-hour beach cleanup, collecting 1,011 kg of waste, including large debris brought in by storms. In terms of wildlife care, three young green sea turtles are currently under treatment, including two rescued this month, one recovering from internal bleeding and another with a severe head injury, showing remarkable resilience. To strengthen scientific research and support upcoming projects, DEKAFOK welcomed four top-level scientists, including professors, a biologist, and an underwater researcher, to the team. January highlighted the association’s commitment to combining hands-on action with rigorous scientific work to protect marine life and inspire future conservation efforts. 🐢🌱

Protecting Dolphins and Advancing Science: Morigenos’ January 2026 Report

MORIGNEOS x ClubOcean®

In January, Morigenos maintained its ongoing monitoring of bottlenose dolphins in Slovenian waters, continuing the systematic documentation of their behavior, population dynamics, and habitat use. Alongside monitoring, the team contributed new scientific insights into the issue of chronic dolphin entanglement in fishing gear. A study published in the international journal Diseases of Aquatic Organisms detailed a rare case of a young female bottlenose dolphin that remained entangled in fishing gear for over a year in the northern Adriatic Sea, highlighting the challenges and urgency of intervention strategies.

Beyond research, Morigenos actively participated in educational and public awareness initiatives, promoting marine conservation and responsible human activity at sea. These efforts help build understanding among local communities and stakeholders, fostering long-term protection of dolphins and their habitat.🐬💙