DECEMBER 2025-ClubOcean® Actions

December was marked by continuity and quiet dedication.
As the year drew to a close, care for the ocean carried on, dolphins were still monitored, reefs restored, beaches cleaned, and young minds inspired to protect marine life.

Across coastlines and open waters, December reminded us that conservation is built on consistency. It lives in long-term research, patient restoration work, and communities choosing to act, even when the spotlight fades.

As one year ends and another begins, these efforts stand as a shared commitment: to keep protecting, restoring, and learning from the ocean, day after day, season after season. 🌊🐬✨

Restoring Reefs and Building Knowledge Across Indonesia

Ocean Gardener x ClubOcean®

This month, Ocean Gardener continued its reef restoration efforts by combining fieldwork, research, and capacity building. Progress is underway on the development of an Ocean Gardener laboratory, aimed at collecting coral gametes and conducting assisted in vitro fertilisation to grow genetically diverse coral juveniles for future reef restoration.

In the field, 150 giant clams were successfully reintroduced at Nusa Penida, while thousands of corals were transplanted across restoration sites in Tulamben and Lipah, supported by active predator control to protect young colonies. Coral spawning events were monitored across several sites in Bali, providing valuable data to guide future restoration strategies.

Ocean Gardener also strengthened local expertise through hands-on training programs. In Raja Ampat, young Indonesian reef guardians planted over 3,000 coral fragments and gained practical restoration skills, while advanced coral taxonomy training improved species identification and data quality. The organization further shared its field expertise at ICRS 2026, contributing to collaborative, science-based coral restoration efforts across the Coral Triangle 🪸💙

Winter Behaviour & Welfare Update

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat x ClubOcean®

This December brought true winter conditions to Cochrane, with heavy snowfall and strong winds creating deep snowdrifts across the area. Despite challenging conditions, including several days where the team had to snowshoe into work, the dedicated animal care staff remained on site every day to ensure Ganuk and Henry were safe and comfortable.

During the storm, both bears chose to spend most of their time in their indoor dens, sheltered from the harsh weather. Once conditions improved, they eagerly returned outdoors to explore enclosures transformed by thick layers of fresh snow. Although polar bears are well adapted to cold climates, deep snow presents a physical challenge due to their relatively short legs. True to their curious and playful nature, Ganuk and Henry took it in stride, digging up buried enrichment items, sniffing through the snow, and creating deep, cozy day beds to rest in.🐻❄️💙

Empowering the Next Generation of Shark Guardians

Shark Guardian x ClubOcean®

Community Power in Action: Sekeh Beach Cleanup in Bali

R.O.L.E Foundation x ClubOcean®

On December 12th, the R.O.L.E. Foundation organized a new cleanup at Sekeh Beach, bringing together 61 participants, including students from SD 2 Benoa, Bali WISE students, foundation staff, and dedicated volunteers.

From 07:00 to 08:30 AM, the team collected an impressive 876.35 kg of inorganic waste. Residue represented the majority of the debris (75.8%), followed by hard plastics such as cups, bottles, and styrofoam (13%), highlighting the continued impact of single-use materials along the shoreline.

All collected waste was carefully sorted by the R.O.L.E. Foundation team and managed responsibly. Recyclable materials were sent to local Waste Banks, while residue and textile waste were transported to the landfill for proper disposal. This collective effort once again demonstrated the power of community action in protecting coastal environments. 🌊♻️

Educating for Conservation: Inspiring Students and Advancing Sea Turtle Care

Dekafok x ClubOcean®

This month, despite cold weather and an intense end-of-year period, DEKAFOK continued its commitment to environmental education and wildlife protection. Environmental awareness activities remained a priority, helping students better understand the importance of nature conservation.

A 300-kilometer journey was made to a university, where DEKAFOK’s work was presented to students from the Faculty of Fisheries and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. In total, 150 university students were informed about ongoing activities and invited to volunteer during the summer, supporting future wildlife conservation efforts.

Additionally, 500 students who visited the association this month received education on sea turtles and environmental protection.

On the rehabilitation side, DEKAFOK is currently caring for a unique case: the first juvenile green sea turtle in the country to receive a platinum pin in its front flipper. After 140 days of treatment, the turtle continues to show steady improvement, and anticipation remains high for its eventual return to the sea. 🐢💙

Building Knowledge, Even in a Quiet Season

 MORIGNEOS x ClubOcean®

This December, Morigenos experienced a quieter period due to the Christmas holidays, allowing much of the team to enjoy a well-deserved break. Despite the slower pace, regular monitoring of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Trieste continued. Throughout the year, these efforts led to the identification of 26 new bottlenose dolphins, all added to the long-term photo-identification catalogue. With these new individuals, Morigenos’ catalogue now includes over 600 identified dolphins, strengthening ongoing research and conservation efforts in the region. 🐬💙