April brought people and conservation even closer together. Across reefs, coastlines, research centers, and wildlife facilities, teams focused not only on protecting marine life, but also on creating stronger links between people and the natural world around them.
Young sharks prepared for their future release into the wild, dolphins continued to guide long-term scientific research, polar bears rebuilt social bonds, and coral restoration projects expanded with thousands of new corals planted. At the same time, students, volunteers, researchers, and local communities all played an active role through education, cleanups, conservation events, and hands-on field experiences.
More than anything, April showed how conservation moves forward through collaboration. Behind every rescued animal, restored reef, or scientific discovery is a network of people sharing knowledge, time, and care for the ocean. 🌊🦈🪸💙
Expanding Coral Restoration and Building for the Future
Ocean Gardener x ClubOcean®
This month, Ocean Gardener continued to grow both its restoration efforts and long-term conservation infrastructure in Bali. The team is currently building its own coral laboratory directly in front of one of its restoration sites, creating a new space dedicated to research, coral propagation, and future reef restoration projects.
At the same time, monitoring of coral spawning continued across three different locations around Bali, with many spawning events successfully observed. Restoration work also progressed at a large scale, with an impressive 7,214 corals planted this month to help strengthen and rebuild reef ecosystems.
To protect these young corals, the team removed 40 crown-of-thorns starfish and 335 Drupella snails, both major coral predators that can heavily damage reef health if left unmanaged.
Ocean Gardener is also investing in more sustainable infrastructure for the future, including the arrival of a solar-powered boat and the construction of a large septic tank and wastewater garden system that will support both the new laboratory and the neighboring restaurant.
This month reflects a period of major development for Ocean Gardener, combining hands-on reef restoration with innovation, sustainability, and long-term planning for marine conservation. 🪸🌊☀️💙
Learn more about them here
Monitoring Orcas and Raising Awareness in Barbados
Orcas Iberians x ClubOcean®
This spring has been a particularly active period for the team at Iberian Orcas. Throughout March and April, the organization carried out extensive fieldwork focused on monitoring orca activity and protecting marine ecosystems around Barbados.
During surveys at sea, the team observed several orcas and gathered valuable scientific information, including the identification of a pregnant female and the confirmation that a recently born calf is a male, the son of Daga, one of the group’s known matriarchs. The first photo-identification sessions of the season also took place, allowing researchers to successfully identify seven individual orcas.
Alongside research activities, the team actively worked to reduce negative interactions between boats and orcas by informing sailors about the animals’ presence in the area and advising vessels to avoid sensitive zones. Marine litter collection was also carried out during field operations.
Public outreach remained an important part of the mission this month. The organization communicated regularly on social media to raise awareness and also prepared a photography exhibition in Barbados featuring images of the orcas and ongoing conservation work. Local press interviews are also planned in the coming weeks, helping bring greater visibility to the protection of these remarkable animals. 🐋🌊💙
Rebuilding Social Bonds Between Ganuk and Henry
Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat x ClubOcean®
This month, the team at Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat focused on an exciting and meaningful step in the relationship between resident polar bears Ganuk and Henry. While polar bears are often considered solitary animals, social interactions between males can occur both in the wild and in human care environments when competition for resources is low.
After spending the past few years living separately, Ganuk recently began showing renewed interest in Henry, who has always been known as a social bear. Following careful planning and discussions between animal care staff, management, and the veterinary team, the bears were gradually reintroduced to one another in a shared enclosure enriched with toys and extra food to encourage positive interactions.
The introduction went very well, with both bears calmly approaching each other, sniffing faces, and engaging in natural social behaviours such as sparring and wrestling. Since then, Ganuk and Henry have continued spending more time together, slowly rebuilding a positive relationship while still having separate days to avoid overwhelming the process.
This important milestone highlights the dedication of the care team and their thoughtful approach to supporting the physical and behavioural wellbeing of the bears. 🐻❄️💙
Learn more about them here
Swimming for Sharks and Raising Awareness in Koh Tao
Shark Guardian x ClubOcean®
This month, Shark Guardian traveled to Koh Tao for a two-day “Swim for Sharks” event focused on education, community engagement, and shark conservation awareness. During the event, the team delivered presentations to the local island community, sharing knowledge about shark conservation and the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
Participants also learned how divers can contribute to a local whale shark research project through citizen science and data collection initiatives. The highlight of the event was a 3.4 km open-water swim around an island, where more than 80 participants took part to raise awareness and support shark conservation efforts.
This initiative once again demonstrated the power of community action, education, and shared experiences in inspiring people to protect sharks and the ocean. 🦈🌊💙
Learn more about them here
Community Action Driving Coastal Impact in April
R.O.L.E Foundation x ClubOcean®
This April, the R.O.L.E. Foundation continued its commitment to protecting Bali’s coastline through a beach cleanup at Kelan Beach, bringing together 122 participants including staff, Bali WISE students, local school students, and volunteers. The initiative not only focused on removing waste but also on strengthening environmental awareness and community engagement.
During the cleanup, a total of 203.7 kg of inorganic waste was collected. The largest share consisted of residue (38.4%), followed by glass bottles (29.6%) and hard plastics (21.1%), highlighting the ongoing issue of mixed and single-use waste along the shoreline.
All collected waste was carefully sorted and managed responsibly by the team. Recyclable materials such as glass, plastics, rubber, and aluminum were sent to Waste Banks, while residue was transported to landfill. This action once again demonstrated the strong impact of collective efforts in preserving coastal ecosystems and promoting sustainable habits within the community. ♻️
Learn more about them here
Preparing the Beaches for Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Dekafok x ClubOcean®
This month, DEKAFOK focused on preparing for the upcoming sea turtle nesting season, with the team expecting the first nests to appear very soon, just as they did in early May last year. Efforts throughout April were dedicated to creating safer and more suitable conditions for nesting sea turtles along the coastline.
Environmental education remained a major part of DEKAFOK’s work. Through 11 different programmes, the team educated 443 students about wildlife conservation and marine protection. These activities combined learning with direct action, as students also participated in beach cleanups alongside university groups and experts from various organizations. Representatives from the Port Authority, for example, helped explain the impact of boats and marine pollution on coastal ecosystems.
In preparation for the nesting season, DEKAFOK also worked to ensure that beach lighting was changed to red lights, reducing disturbance for nesting sea turtles and hatchlings. This important initiative was highlighted in the national press, helping raise wider public awareness about the importance of protecting sea turtles during this critical period. 🐢🌊❤️
Learn more about them here
Continuing Research and Preparing for an International Milestone
MORIGNEOS x ClubOcean®
This month, Morigenos continued its long-term research efforts in the Gulf of Trieste through regular monitoring surveys of bottlenose dolphins, helping gather valuable data on their behaviour, movements, and habitat use.
The team also participated in the European Cetacean Society Conference, held this year in Dundee. During the event, the organization’s president, Tilen Genov, had the honor of officially opening the conference. A key highlight of the month was the announcement that Morigenos will host the next ECS conference in Slovenia.
The event is expected to welcome more than 700 participants from around the world, marking an important step in strengthening the organization’s international presence and contribution to marine mammal research. This month reflects Morigenos’ continued dedication to science, collaboration, and its growing role within the global conservation community. 🐬🌍💙
Learn more about them here
Emergency Rescues and Second Chances for African Penguins
SANCCOB x ClubOcean®
This month, the team at SANCCOB in the Eastern Cape faced a series of challenging rescue situations, highlighting both the vulnerability and resilience of the African Penguin.
The month began with the rescue of two abandoned chicks on Bird Island following extreme heat conditions. Despite rapid intervention, one chick sadly did not survive, underlining the fragility of young birds exposed to environmental stress.
Shortly after, heavy rainfall flooded nesting areas, triggering a large-scale rescue operation in collaboration with SANParks. In difficult conditions, teams successfully recovered 51 chicks from flooded nests. While five of the weakest chicks did not survive the first night, 46 were safely transported to SANCCOB’s rehabilitation centre, where they are now receiving intensive, round-the-clock care. These chicks, at different stages of development, require constant feeding, monitoring, and support as they begin their recovery journey.
Alongside these efforts, the team also admitted a severely injured adult penguin from Jeffrey’s Bay. Despite dedicated care, the bird did not survive, with post-mortem results confirming predation as the cause, a reminder of the ongoing threats faced by penguins in the wild.
Although the month brought moments of loss, it also demonstrated the power of rapid response and collaboration. Thanks to these efforts, dozens of young penguins have been given a second chance at life, reinforcing SANCCOB’s critical role in protecting this endangered species. 🐧🌊💙
Learn more about them here
3500$ donated this month
Thanks you ! Club Ocean® contributed $3,000 this June to fuel the essential work of our incredible partner organizations worldwide. From Bali’s coral gardens to the nesting beaches of Turkey and the dolphin-filled waters of the Adriatic, your support is making a real difference for ocean and polar wildlife. Together, we’re building a brighter, more sustainable future.
Get ready for the next month update !
Follow us on Instagram to not miss anything! Thanks for reading !
The ClubOcean® team
