OCEAN PROGRAM
Bridging science and policy to advance justice and care for the ocean, marine biodiversity, and coastal communities.
News & Events
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Earth Law Concept Note
A Voice for the Deep explores various legal campaigns aimed at “giving a voice to the deep” by recognizing the intrinsic rights of deep-sea species and ecosystems.
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Rights of Coral Reefs Toolkit
ELC, in collaboration with global partners, proudly introduces a three-part toolkit: “A Voice for Coral Reef Ecosystems Through the Rights of Nature and Ecocentric Law”.
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Plastics Justice Treaty
Read our latest blog: “The Global Plastics Treaty and ‘Plastics Justice’—A Primer”
Together with partners, we have:
Provided input and expertise to Panama’s national Sea Turtle Law in collaboration with The Leatherback Project. Passed in 2023, this law, among other protections, recognizes the inherent rights of sea turtles and their habitats.
Advanced the concept of Ocean Rights. Initially developed in 2017, this movement has since evolved to include a global campaign for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights by 2030, presented to the UNGA in the fall of 2023, in collaboration with The Ocean Race, Ocean Vision Legal, the Government of Cabo Verde, and other partners.
Developed “A Voice for Coral Reef Ecosystems Through the Rights of Nature and Ecocentric Law”. This three-part toolkit was designed to equip policymakers, advocates, and legal professionals with bold legal strategies to protect coral reefs based on rights, guardianship, and ecological kinship. Released in 2025, it includes model legislation and guidance for advancing coral reef protections in law and policy.
Current Campaigns
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A Voice for the Deep Sea
We are calling for a legal paradigm shift: one that recognizes deep-sea ecosystems as rights-bearing entities.
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Rights of Coral Reefs
A three part toolkit to equip policymakers, advocates, and legal professionals with bold legal strategies to protect coral reefs based on rights, guardianship, and ecological kinship.
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Ocean Rights
With partners, we mobilize leaders towards restoring our relationship with the ocean.
Downloadable resources for the Ocean Program
Help fund the Ocean Program’s work in the fight for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights
Header Photo: The Ocean Agency / Ocean Image Bank Footer ; News & Events Photo: Unsplash / Ralph Mayhew; Resources Photo: Lewis Burnett / Ocean Image Bank
Footer Photo: Single Fin Photos / Ocean Image Bank