Fulbright’s Global Impact: Our Oceans Conference with Mallory Sea

2018 US Fulbright Graduate Grantee Mallory Sea attended the 2018 Our Oceans Conference in Bali this October.

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia hosted the fifth Our Ocean Conference in Bali on 29 and 30 October 2018, and 2018 US Fulbright Graduate Grantee Mallory Sea recevied funding from the conference to attend. The conference is focused on generating commitments and taking actions to maintain the sustainability of our oceans, and Mallory was part of the youth leadership summit.

“As part of the youth leadership summit, we had to make and present ocean commitments. I presented on shellfish restoration in New Zealand. We also had a chance to go to events related to the main conference as well. I learned a lot about marine protected areas and ocean governance through many of the sessions. We were given plenty of opportunities to network with those in related fields. I talked to a few professors in marine science that I might get into contact with soon about future research opportunities. On a more personal level, I made friends from all over the world that I have plans to stay in contact with in years to come.”

“I was able to participate in a coral transplantation project with a local dive shop (and got to snorkel a bit!), so that was a really fun experience. If I’m ever living in the tropics again, I’d like to get more involved with this type of restorative work.”

“I am super thankful for the experience and opportunity to network with others as passionate as I am about marine science and changing the future of our oceans.”
Since 2014, Our Ocean Conference has successfully generated commitments totaling around 18 billion dollars (USD) and 12.4 million square kilometers of marine protected areas. Our Ocean, Our Legacy was the theme of this year’s Our Ocean Conference, as it reflects the choices and actions to maintain the sustainability of our oceans’ resources and to preserve our ocean’s health, as a heritage presented for our children and grandchildren.

This article was published in the Spring 2018 Bright Sparks.