From the Caribbean to Nice: The school of fish effect of ocean youth

From the Caribbean to Nice: The school of fish effect of ocean youth | Photo: Milos Prelevic

Since I founded Proyecto Acuática at the age of 10, I understood that the ocean is not just a blue landscape, but a silent teacher. In its depths—still unknown in many ways—I discovered a truth that we ocean defenders share around the world: ocean knowledge transforms.

June is a special month for those of us who feel connected to the sea. We celebrate many important dates related to marine life, especially June 8th: World Oceans Day. This year’s theme is “Wonder: Sustaining the ocean that sustains us.”

It reminds us that the ocean is not only a source of life, but also of wonder. And that caring for what cares for us begins by understanding it. The crisis we fase today is not only environmental—it’s also what I call a consciousness crisis: ignorance, disinterest, and misinformation. And for that, education is the answer.

As a young ocean advocate, I’ve discovered the power of alliances. I call it the school of fish effect: when we swim together, we’re stronger. On this journey, I’ve met people in different parts of Latin America who are deeply committed to marine conservation, ocean education, and science communication. Together, we’ve created learning experiences that mix scientific knowledge with a deep love for the sea.

I’ve seen how, in spaces of shared learning, a true curiosity for the ocean awakens—both in young leaders and in children at school. This awakening, both emotional and scientific, reminds me every day why I chose this blue path.

These experiences have made it clear to me that ocean education is not a luxury or something extra—it’s a right that’s still missing in many classrooms around the world. And it should not be confused with general environmental education. Teaching about the ocean needs not only a different approach, but also different preparation. Without ocean literacy, we limit our ability to find solutions to protect the one ocean we all share.

World Oceans Day reminds us that there aren’t many oceans, like we’re often told as kids—there’s only one. Without borders. Just like migratory species that travel across the seas without a passport, this vast ecosystem teaches us that we all live in the same blue home. This truth must also be part of global spaces like the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. We need to hear the experts, but also the youth who are already taking action.

Today, I raise my voice as a reflection of a generation that is waking up to new ways of caring for what sustains us. I hope more young people, teachers, leaders, and governments join this movement.

Because there is still so much to learn, discover, and protect… and the ocean—that silent

teacher—needs us awake and united, like a school of fish.

By Gabriela Casuso – Ocean advocate and founder of Proyecto Acuática