Echoing Ocean Programme

Metis Fund (endowment funds, supported by the French Development Agency (AFD)) (

Other relevant actor

)

#OceanAction58202

Description

The oceans are one of humanity’s most vital shared resources. Yet they are facing mounting pressures and are deteriorating at an alarming pace. Around the world, countless actors are working tirelessly to address these challenges on the ground. The Metis Fund aims to amplify their technical efforts through a powerful and complementary approach – one rooted in emotion, creativity, and the arts.

In this context, the Echoing Oceans program is designed to spark social impact through art, and to bring new energy and visibility to the cause of ocean preservation. From June 2024 to June 2026, the program unfolds across three interconnected pillars, each driven by a socially engaged artistic vision and anchored in the urgent need to protect our oceans.

The first pillar brings together artists, development practitioners, and local communities in 12 countries that are particularly vulnerable to ocean-related threats – such as plastic pollution or sea-level rise. In each location, these three actors co-create an artistic project that responds to a locally identified development issue.

Second, the program includes the design and publication of The Ocean Manifesto – a beautifully crafted art book featuring a curated selection of 100 visual artworks from around the world, each exploring ocean themes in a distinct and evocative way.

Finally, the third phase of the program aims to bring these projects to a broader international audience. This will be achieved through the release of a documentary film, the presentation of The Ocean Manifesto at various global events – including the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice –, and the organization of a photographic exhibition.

Partners

EcoNusa Fundation (NGO) ; Project Posidonia (NGO) ; Programma Tato (NGO) ; Gaia (NGO) ; Renatura Congo (NGO) ; Huellas del Cambio (NGO) ; Da & Da (NGO) ; Les Ambassadeurs de l'environnement (NGO) ; Phnom Penh Photo Association (NGO) ; Zenka90 (NGO) ; Team Platform Ltd (private sector) ; Industrie Films (private sector) ; JBE Publishing (private sector)

SDGS & Targets

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1

(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1

Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1

Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.a

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.a.1

Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.b

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1

Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

14.c.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

SDG 14 targets covered

Name	Description
14.1	By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.2	By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.c	Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"