The Earth Journalism Network has selected nine journalists from around the world to cover the next United Nations Oceans Conference. The conference, only the second of its kind, will focus on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14) “Life Below Water,” which is aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources.

The event was originally scheduled to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, in June 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. When it does take place, hopefully some time in 2021, a key part of the conversation will be about how science and innovation can be used to scale up action on ocean conservation.

The successful Fellows are:

• Benjamin Cooke, United Kingdom | The Times of London
• Kevin Assunção Damasio, Brazil | National Geographic Brasil
• Patrícia Figueiredo, Brazil | G1
• Jeremias Chemane, Mozambique | Radio Moçambique
• Nelson Camuto, Angola | Rádio Ecclesia
• Kolawole Talabi, Nigeria | Premium Times
• Neha Jha, India | The Times of India
• Yogi Tujuliarto, Indonesia | CNN Indonesia TV
• Maria Gabriela Vizental, Argentina | TV Pública

A 10th journalist was also selected as a Fellow but has since changed employers, and her new media outlet has not allowed her to accept the Fellowship. EJN also has selected a waitlist of Fellows and will choose a replacement once the conference has been re-scheduled.

This project is being carried out with the support of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

(Banner photo: Underwater seascapes by Anders Nyberg)