Our Ocean, Our Future: A Wave of Reflections from the East Asian Seas Congress 2024

From youth representation to regional action, this blog post by Queenie Agdalipe reflects on her journey as an ocean advocate at the East Asian Seas Congress 2024 — and how it revitalised her commitment to protecting our oceans and coastal communities.

As an early career ocean professional (ECOP) from the Philippines, an archipelagic country defined by our beautiful seas, I have dedicated my work to protecting our oceans and the communities that depend upon them, especially fisherfolk. 

Last year, in November 2024, I was honoured to represent the Philippines as a youth delegate at the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress in Xiamen, China. This important gathering of marine experts, policymakers, and advocates focussed on finding collective solutions to the region’s most pressing coastal and ocean challenges, and has also renewed my commitment to environmental and ocean advocacy.

The triannual East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress is organised by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), and brings together key stakeholders from the government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to discuss the urgent challenges facing marine and coastal ecosystems in the region to build collective responses to these complex threats.

What makes the event unique is its strong emphasis on regional cooperation — recognising that no single country can tackle these issues alone. This year, nearly 900 participants from 20 countries attended the event.

Diverse and Vulnerable: The East Asian Seas (EAS) region

The East Asian Seas (EAS) region is one of the world’s most ecologically diverse and economically significant marine areas, home to the Verde Island Passage, often called the “Centre of the Centre of Marine Biodiversity” in the Philippines – but this region is also one of the most vulnerable. From the collapse of coastal fisheries and the degradation of coral reefs, to intensifying climate impacts and pollution from land and sea-based sources, the challenges facing our ocean systems are deeply interconnected. These interconnected crises don’t just threaten biodiversity but they also directly affect the millions of people who depend on healthy marine ecosystems for food, culture, and livelihood, especially in developing countries.

As someone working at the intersection of community organisation, marine science, and policy advocacy, I was drawn to this space because it bridges worlds that are too often disconnected. I strongly believe that youth, especially from the Global South, have a critical role to play, not just as future leaders but as current ones with lived experiences, ideas, and networks that can shape regional solutions. I came hoping to be heard, but I left the conference with so much more. The event deepened my understanding of marine governance, and I got the opportunity to build alliances with many others working on ocean issues.

One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean

The congress, staying true to its theme: “Blue Synergy for a Shared Future: One Sustainable and Resilient Ocean” serves as a platform for innovative ideas, from ecosystem-based adaptation strategies to blue economy initiatives that integrate environmental and economic sustainability, while also fostering meaningful connections. It highlights the urgent need to align environmental goals with socio-economic development. Ecosystem-based adaptation uses nature-based solutions, such as mangrove reforestation and coral reef rehabilitation, to buffer and protect coastal areas from climate impacts. At the same time, blue economy initiatives promote sustainable livelihoods such as small-scale ecotourism or community-run fisheries that support both marine ecosystems while supporting local economies.

Tackling the Triple Planetary Crises

One of the most compelling sessions for me was “Strategic Collaboration in Tackling the Triple Planetary Crises in the East Asian Seas Region: Climate Change and Marine Impacts; Nature and Marine Biodiversity Loss; Marine Pollution.“ Convened by the UNEP Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) and the UNEP GEF South China Seas Strategic Action Programme (SCS SAP), this session focused on fostering regional collaboration to address these pressing environmental challenges. It also explored how countries can pool resources and knowledge to confront three intertwined threats: rising sea temperatures, accelerating biodiversity loss, and the surge of land-based plastic and chemical waste into coastal waters.

Centering Fisherfolk Voices in Marine Conservation

As a youth representative during the panel discussion, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the panelists, Maeve Nightingale, a Senior Programme Officer at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – an international organisation working on nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources – where she shared valuable insights and advice. My question was about long-term conservation efforts beyond Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are designated marine zones with regulated human activity to protect biodiversity. I asked about initiatives that empower small-scale fisherfolk as direct stakeholders of our oceans. Nightingale emphasised the global trend of “elite capture,” where powerful entities monopolise resources, marginalising small-scale fishers. She highlighted that we need to integrate traditional knowledge into conservation strategies and emphasised the importance of providing alternative livelihoods and educational opportunities to fishing communities to ensure sustainable futures.

“If we lose small-scale fisheries, we lose the knowledge of these systems, which we will never get back.”

Maeve Nightingale, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Nightingale also spoke about how fisherfolk communities have historically had a strong voice and influence in conservation efforts – particularly in countries like the Philippines, where grassroots organisers have played a significant role in policy-making. However, their voices have faded over time, making it even more crucial to empower fisherfolk to reclaim their role and agency. As she put it, “If we lose small-scale fisheries, we lose the knowledge of these systems, which we will never get back”. For conservation to be effective, Nightingale believes that local communities must see a future in their own areas, and be recognised as vital contributors for marine sustainability. This insight and session made clear that regional frameworks only succeed when frontline communities have both a stake and a say in the ocean they depend on.

From that point on, the discussion became dynamic and solution-focused. What stood out for me was the strong emphasis on regional collaboration. Since marine ecosystems cross national borders, protecting them effectively requires shared science, coordinated policies and cooperation between countries.

Technological Innovation in Marine Conservation

A key takeaway from the conference was the expanding role of technological innovation in marine conservation. Discussions on remote sensing, AI-driven monitoring systems, and community-based marine protected areas reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in safeguarding our oceans. But we also need to ensure that they do not fail to include the narratives of citizen scientists/fisherfolk at sea. 

CurrentShift: Community-based Marine Biodiversity Monitoring

The congress continues to give me a renewed sense of purpose and has led to several collaborations that could enhance my work in marine conservation. One such collaboration was with regional youth advocates and international non-government organisations (NGOs). This directly inspired the founding of CurrentShift — a youth-led initiative I now lead that bridges traditional knowledge and scientific research to support coastal communities. Rooted in the insights I gained during the congress, we began piloting a community-based marine biodiversity monitoring and storytelling program in coastal Iloilo, located in the Philippines. This project mobilises local youth and fisherfolk as citizen scientists, equipping them with tools to document changes in their marine environment while amplifying their narratives in policy spaces. Through CurrentShift, the congress became more than just a venue for dialogue — it became a springboard for action. See our Facebook page for ideos and more.

Coastal Rehabilitation Projects

During the conference, I was also able to visit local initiatives as part of World Ocean Week in development areas. This provided an on-the-ground perspective about the issues discussed during the congress, such as coastal rehabilitation projects and youth-led monitoring activities. One particularly impactful visit was to a mangrove rehabilitation site co-managed by local youth and municipal partners, where they showcased how citizen science and traditional ecological knowledge are being integrated to track biodiversity recovery and coastal resilience. These experiences affirmed the importance of grounding policy discussions in the realities of frontline communities and translating international commitments into community-led action.

This approach closely mirrors the work we have started at CurrentShift. In Iloilo, we’ve begun piloting a marine biodiversity monitoring and storytelling project that trains fisherfolk and students to collect ecological data, document local environmental changes, and co-create policy recommendations.

Seeing local conservation efforts first-hand from project implementers, who were also key delegates in the EAS Congress, reinforced the importance of translating policy into action. This added powerful context to the discussions at the congress.

For future attendees, I highly recommend talking with as many people as possible both during Q&A sessions and in informal conversations. Attending side events and participating in panel discussions, can really help with networking which will help you make the most of the conference experience.

But more importantly, remember why you’re there: use these platforms to amplify the voices of those who are often left out—especially those on the ground or at sea whose experiences and struggles are too often ignored. Their stories must be heard and included in global discussions.

Looking ahead to EAS 2027

Looking ahead, the next EAS Congress will take place in 2027, and I encourage anyone working in marine sustainability to consider attending, not only to expand your network but also to gain a deeper understanding of how negotiations and knowledge enrichment takes place. I am immensely grateful for the support of The Global South Colloquium Fund (GSCF), whose generosity made this experience possible, and for improving access to global opportunities for young and Global South based scholars.

The knowledge and connections I gained at the EAS Congress will continue to shape my work in marine conservation and environmental advocacy, particularly in championing for the inclusion of our local communities’ voices.