As we hit the ground running toward agressive goals for 2015, we take a moment to check in on our partners in the field - the Ocean Action Projects you voted to receive support for their grassroots conservation efforts around the world. Be sure to keep an eye on their My Ocean profiles to get the latest info about the awesome actions they’re leading. Here’s a snapshot of what they’ve achieved so far:

What Goes Around Comes Around - Communicating Marine Debris Science Through Visual Arts, The Plastic Ocean Project, USA

From schools to colleges and national parks, the travelling art exhibit “What Goes Around Comes Around” visited 14 cities across the United States as an Ocean Action Project recipient. Traveling over 5,600 miles, Bonnie and her team engaged and educated more than 50,000 people from various walks of life about the critical issue of marine debris and the impact it’s having on our precious marine life and habitats. They also got their hands dirty – removing over 400 lbs of rubbish from beaches and rivers they visited along the way. The art exhibit is now on permanent display at the Nature Center at McCormick's Falls National Park, Indiana, USA. This team has more planned so keep your eye out for the 2015 tour.

Thailand eShark Project, Shark Guardian, Thailand

The Thailand eShark Project has successfully launched the first diver-focused shark sighting program database in Thailand. During the first season, they received over 4,400 records of sightings and no-sightings data for multiple shark species in and around Thai waters. The data collected now and in the future will be invaluable in developing and increasing protection measures for vulnerable shark species. The data is being shared with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as well as the Thai Fisheries Department in order to achieve a longer-term goal of establishing the first ever protected shark sanctuaries in Thailand. Additionally, by working with the Thai Fisheries Department, the data will also contribute to developing a National Plan of Action for Sharks. These are positive moves forward for Thai shark conservation measures which will also have global benefits due to the migratory nature of many shark species.

Protecting Sharks and Rays from Fishing Boats in the Andaman Sea, Blue Guru Conservation, Thailand

Since 2012, Blue Guru Conservation have been recording shark, ray and fishing boat numbers encountered in the North Andaman Sea, including Surin National Park and Koh Phra Thong. Funding through Project AWARE’s Ocean Action Project has enabled this valuable monitoring to continue, collecting another year of valuable data to develop an accurate perspective about how sharks, rays and other vulnerable marine animals are being impacted by fishing boats in the area. Almost 400 sightings records were submitted last season which demonstrated a surprising increase in shark and ray sightings compared to the 2012/2013 season. They also experienced the highest level of whale shark sightings in six years. Blue Guru Conservation will continue their monitoring program over the coming years in order to determine any patterns and possible causes. Data has been shared with key Thai nationals to help inform decisions regarding shark conservation measures and management of fishing in the area. Additionally, data is being shared with Ecocean and Shark Trust in order to enable an international perspective of migration patterns.

Ecotourism and Awareness for Manta Ray Conservation, Planeta Oceano, Peru

Educating artisanal fishermen and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to run successful ecotourism operations in replacement of fishing practices, has been a pivotal part of Planeta Oceano’s project. In order to achieve this, they have provided artisanal fisherman capacity building workshops in business, communications and first aid. Manta ray conservation and biology training workshops were also conducted for the artisanal fishermen to raise awareness and increase their understanding of mantas. Over 50 fishermen assisted in the workshops, increasing their knowledge and understanding of manta rays and conservation by over 60 percent. In the coming months, the first vessels will launch their ecotourism services with the artisanal fishermen now earning an income through this alternate livelihood. To help launch these operations successfully, the team have engaged partners including local tourism agencies.

The Great Fiji Count, Fiji Dive Operators, Fiji Islands

Proposals for a Shark Sanctuary in Fiji were set back in 2012 due to challenges from the finning industry and a lack of data showing local shark population decline. The Great Fiji Shark Count took the opportunity to start monitoring shark numbers in Fijian waters in order to build a database and provide quantitative evidence regarding shark populations in Fiji and the urgent need for conservation measures to be implemented. Dive and tourism operators collected data on shark, ray and turtle sightings across the Fijian archipelago. Specially created logbooks and identification materials were given to dive operators to with divers who then recorded their sightings following each dive. The team at Fiji Dive Operators will continue this program into the future in order to build a comprehensive database that, in time, can be presented to the Fijian Government Department of Fisheries to inform national legislation measures to protect sharks and rays.

This Project is Rubbish! South African Shark Conservancy, South Africa

The South African Shark Conservancy has been working hard to combat the perils of marine debris using various approaches including collecting data, conducting workshops and raising awareness about the issue. For almost a year, they have been collecting samples to assess micro-debris at multiple beaches in Hermanus, South Africa, covering a stretch of 70 km. Additionally, the team have been working closely with the Junior Town Council of Overstrand municipality engaging youth about marine debris and empowering them to take action and be part of the marine debris solution.

Thank you to all the amazing Ocean Action Project winners. Keep up the great work in 2015 and beyond.

Photo courtesy of Blue Guru Conservation