SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Jan. 22, 2025 – Ambiente Europeo has been awarded the prestigious "ocean tribute" Award 2025 for its innovative SeaLabs project. This citizen science program empowers sailors to contribute to marine research by collecting valuable data in remote areas.
A Collaborative Effort for Ocean Conservation
The "ocean tribute" award, established in 2017, is a joint initiative by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the German Ocean Foundation, and boot Düsseldorf. It aims to recognize and support individuals, projects, and initiatives dedicated to protecting our oceans. The award ceremony took place during the blue motion night at boot Düsseldorf, the world's largest yacht and water sports trade fair.
This year's winner, Ambiente Europeo, received the €20,000 prize for its groundbreaking SeaLabs project. SeaLabs equips sailors with affordable sensor technology and a user-friendly app, enabling them to gather crucial marine data while sailing. This data contributes to an open-source database that provides valuable insights into the health of our oceans.
Empowering Sailors to Become Citizen Scientists
Laudator Denise "Dee" Caffari, a renowned British sailor and the first woman to sail solo around the world non-stop westward, emphasized the importance of data in understanding and protecting our oceans. She stated, "The ocean is a barometer of the health of our planet. To understand this, we need data that we can use to educate and inform key decision-makers about policy changes and their impacts. Without evidence, it is difficult to change behaviors and attitudes. The valuable work of our award winners allows us to collect this important data and effect change for the better. Citizen science enables a much greater reach and hopefully faster change for the better."
SeaLabs: Turning Every Sailing Trip into a Research Expedition
SeaLabs transforms every sailing trip into a research expedition, allowing sailors to contribute to marine conservation efforts. By utilizing affordable sensor technology and an intuitive app, SeaLabs harnesses the power of the sailing community to collect extensive datasets. This collaborative approach provides a clearer picture of the state of our oceans, informing policymakers and promoting the protection of marine life, food sources, and the environment.
Frank Schweikert, Board Member of the German Marine Foundation, congratulated Ambiente Europeo and highlighted the significance of their work: “Congratulations to Ambiente Europeo and their very important commitment to marine conservation, which impressively shows how important our civil society commitment to research is.”
Expanding the Reach of Marine Research
Ambiente Europeo plans to utilize the prize money to update its sensor technology, enhance seaworthy accommodations, and expand its community of citizen scientists. This will further enhance the project's impact and contribute to a deeper understanding of our oceans.
boot Düsseldorf: A Platform for Ocean Conservation
boot Düsseldorf, with its global reach and commitment to sustainability, provides an ideal platform for promoting ocean conservation efforts. Petros Michelidakis, Director of boot, emphasized the importance of protecting our oceans: "Our oceans are not only essential for the ecological balance, but also for the global climate. With the 'ocean tribute' award, we would like to gain further supporters for this important cause. In doing so, we are guided by the United Nations' sustainability goals. Our aim is to protect the oceans, seas and their resources and to rebuild destroyed habitats in the spirit of sustainable development."
A Collective Responsibility
The "ocean tribute" award and the recognition of initiatives like SeaLabs highlight the importance of collective action in protecting our oceans. By empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to contribute to marine research and conservation, we can work together to ensure the health and sustainability of our oceans for generations to come.