Planeta Océano: protecting the Giant Manta

To bring together local citizens and fishermen to protect the giant manta ray and its marine ecosystem, Kerstin Forsberg co-founded Planeta Océano. Committed to citizen science and participative research, the programme unites local volunteers to study local ecosystems and marine species – from manta rays and sawfish to protected marine areas.   

With a strong focus on education, Planeta Océano created the Marine Educators Teacher Network, which is already supported by more than 50 schools. Planeta Océano also fosters environmental entrepreneurship to drive eco-tourism, as an alternative source of income for fishermen and local artisans. 

A multi-disciplinary approach 

To date, Planeta Océano has reached more than 500,000 people and engaged 12 communities in northern Peru. 400 citizen scientists have developed 20+ environmental projects including monitoring fishing and replanting mangroves. Concentrated in Peru, the projects are scaling up internationally through collaborative research across the Eastern Pacific region and the Connecting Schools program, which looks far beyond the country’s national borders. 

Bringing together citizens, the government and researchers, this participative approach is making a big impact. The biggest success so far? Achieving the implementation of legislation to protect the giant manta ray and saw fish. 

Inspired? Keen to support the conservation initiatives developed by Planeta Océano? 

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