March 2025 Conservation Snapshot

"Operação Praia Limpa," or Operation Clean Beach, started in 2017 as part of EAZA Member Zoomarine Algarve's "Together We Protect" environmental responsibility programme.

The goal of Operação Praia Limpa is to involve the community in protecting our coastal areas by organizing beach clean-ups and underwater seabed cleaning. These activities increase Ocean Literacy as all involved learn about the health of the oceans and the connection between human actions and marine life. Through these experiences, participants gain a deeper understanding of the challenges our coasts face, which encourages them to adopt more sustainable habits.

In 2025, the event will be held on April 28th at Armona Island, located in the Ria Formosa Natural Park in Olhão, southern Portugal. In the area and want to join? Keep an eye out for the latest information here.

Interested to know more about Ocean Literacy? Aligning with the aims of the EU4Ocean coalition, the EAZA Academy offers a free self-paced e-course! The course will serve to support the application of Ocean Literacy principles to educational programmes within organisations. It gives an introduction to the fundamentals of marine science, as well as to the importance of the oceans for the health and well being of humans, wildlife and the environment.

For zoo as well as aquarium staff, a one day, in-person EAZA Academy Workshop on Ocean Literacy will be preceding the EAZA Conservation Education Conference in Chester Zoo (17 March 2025). This workshop is designed to deepen your understanding of ocean literacy principles and the science behind our oceans' most pressing challenges.