August unfolded through a mix of progress, recovery, and hands-on action. Across our partner projects, thousands of sea turtle hatchlings reached the ocean, coral restoration accelerated in Bali, rescued marine animals returned to the wild, and researchers continued monitoring dolphins and other vulnerable species. On beaches and beneath the surface, conservation teams remained active wherever their work was needed most.
This month also showed how many forms conservation can take. While some teams planted thousands of corals or removed waste from coastlines, others cared for injured wildlife, studied stranded animals, developed new research tools, or created enrichment activities for animals in rehabilitation centres. Education remained just as important, bringing students, teachers, volunteers, and local communities closer to the species and ecosystems being protected.
Rather than being defined by one single achievement, August was shaped by all these efforts happening at once. Every hatchling reaching the waves, coral returning to a damaged reef, animal completing its rehabilitation, and person becoming involved in conservation represents another step towards healthier oceans and a stronger future for marine wildlife. 🌊
Scaling Up Coral Restoration and Strengthening Field Operations
Ocean Gardener x ClubOcean®
August was a particularly active month for Ocean Gardener, with the team significantly increasing its coral restoration efforts. Across 16 restoration sessions, 7,485 coral fragments were planted, including 6,461 Acropora fragments, alongside several other coral genera. This represents almost twice the number of corals planted in July. Ocean Gardener_Montly Progress Report.docx
Training also remained an important part of the month. 34 people participated in Ocean Gardener’s coral restoration courses, gaining practical knowledge and experience that will help build greater local capacity for reef conservation. Ocean Gardener_Montly Progress Report.docx
At the restoration sites, the team continued maintenance and monitoring activities to reduce pressure from coral-eating species. During August, 101 Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) and 771 Drupella snails were removed, helping protect both restored and surrounding reef areas. Ocean Gardener_Montly Progress Report.docx
Alongside its work underwater, Ocean Gardener continued improving its operational facilities, creating more functional spaces for equipment, staff, and restoration activities. Together, these developments reflect a month focused not only on restoring more coral, but also on strengthening the people and infrastructure needed to support reef conservation over the long term. 🪸🌊🤿💙
Learn more about them here
Protecting Toñi: An Urgent Month for Iberian Orcas
Orcas Iberians x ClubOcean®
August became an especially intense month for Iberian Orca Guardians after the team documented new injuries on Toñi (Tony), the oldest known Iberian orca, during field monitoring. The marks across her dorsal fin and back were considered consistent with shotgun pellet wounds and had not been visible when the team photographed her only weeks earlier.
The discovery was immediately reported to Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition, which opened a preliminary investigation. The case quickly attracted international attention, with Iberian Orca Guardians and WeWhale responding to numerous press enquiries and interviews as Toñi’s story was reported by major media across Europe and beyond.
Much of the team’s work consequently focused on following Toñi’s condition and movements. Field monitoring continued, while efforts expanded into Portuguese waters as teams worked to relocate and observe her. The investigation also crossed borders, with Spanish authorities reporting indications that the incident may have occurred in Portuguese waters.
Alongside this urgent situation, regular monitoring of the Iberian orca population continued. August demonstrated why a constant presence at sea is so important: documenting individual animals can reveal threats, provide evidence for authorities, and give this extremely vulnerable population a stronger voice when protection is needed most. 🐋🌊💙
Creative Enrichment Brings New Adventures for Ganuk and Henry
Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat x ClubOcean®
August was all about aquatic enrichment at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, giving Ganuk and Henry new ways to explore, play, and interact with their lake environment.
After several weeks of work, the animal care team introduced a specially designed floating raft made from donated fire hose. Both bears immediately showed strong interest, swimming underneath it, attempting to climb on top, and exploring its different features. Although their enthusiasm meant the raft lasted only around four hours, the enrichment was considered a great success and the team plans to improve the design for future use.
Henry also received a more robust surprise: a kayak. After carefully investigating it, he carried it into the lake and began diving with it. The trapped air made the kayak repeatedly rise back to the surface whenever Henry tried to push it underwater, creating another opportunity for play and exploration.
These creative activities are an important part of providing a stimulating environment for the bears, encouraging their natural curiosity and giving them new experiences within their habitat. 🐻❄️💦🛶💙
Learn more about them here
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Exploring the Galápagos Through Shark Research and Citizen Science
Shark Guardian x ClubOcean®
August took Shark Guardian’s conservation work to the Galápagos Islands, where the team led a major shark diving expedition from 11–20 August. Participants explored some of the archipelago’s remarkable marine environments, including the waters around Darwin and Wolf Islands, while combining underwater encounters with education, research, and citizen science.
Throughout the expedition, responsible shark diving remained at the heart of the experience. Participants were encouraged to observe marine wildlife without interfering with natural behaviour, while contributing observations that can support a better understanding of sharks and the ecosystems they depend on. The expedition also offered encounters with the Galápagos’ wider marine biodiversity, including rays, sea turtles, sea lions, penguins, and marine iguanas.
The month concluded with International Whale Shark Day on 30 August, providing another opportunity for Shark Guardian to raise awareness about the world’s largest fish. The organization highlighted responsible encounters with whale sharks and encouraged divers and snorkellers to contribute photographs and sightings to citizen-science research.
From field experiences in one of the world’s most extraordinary marine environments to global shark education, August demonstrated how responsible ecotourism, research, and public participation can work together to strengthen shark conservation. 🦈🌊🤿💙
Learn more about them here
80 Volunteers Unite for a Cleaner Sekeh Beach
R.O.L.E Foundation x ClubOcean®
On August 14th, R.O.L.E. Foundation brought together 80 participants for a beach cleanup at Sekeh. The group included R.O.L.E. Foundation staff, Bali WISE students, students from SD 3 Tuban, and volunteers, all working together during the two-hour cleanup.
From 7:00 to 9:00 AM, participants collected an impressive 198.7 kg of waste. Residual waste represented the largest share at 40.9%, followed by glass bottles at 34.5% and hard plastics at 14.7%, including PET bottles, plastic cutlery, bottle caps, straws, and styrofoam.
After the cleanup, the waste was carefully sorted for responsible disposal. Recyclable materials such as glass, plastics, rubber slippers, and aluminium cans were sent to Waste Banks, while residual waste and ghost nets were transported to landfill by the R.O.L.E. Foundation team.
Beyond removing nearly 200 kg of waste from the coastline, the cleanup once again demonstrated the impact of bringing students, volunteers, and local organizations together to protect Bali’s beaches. 🌊♻️💙
Learn more about them here
15,000 Hatchlings Reach the Sea as Nesting Season Nears Its End
Dekafok x ClubOcean®
August marked an important stage in DEKAFOK’s sea turtle season. As nesting activity began to slow, the team had already observed hatchlings emerging from 290 nests, with an impressive 15,000 baby sea turtles released into the sea.
Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation also continued throughout the month. Of the three injured sea turtles receiving treatment, two recovered successfully and were released back into the wild, while unfortunately one could not be saved. The team also extended its care beyond marine turtles, treating an injured silver gull by removing large fishing hooks from its beak before successfully releasing it.
Education remained a major part of DEKAFOK’s daily work, with an average of 85 people reached every day. This represents more than 2,500 people educated during the month about sea turtles, coastal ecosystems, and the importance of conservation.
Alongside monitoring hatchlings and caring for wildlife, volunteers continued smaller-scale beach cleanups throughout the month, removing 244 kg of waste from nesting beaches. From protecting nests to rescuing wildlife and engaging local communities, August reflected the many different efforts needed to protect an entire coastal ecosystem. 🐢🌊🐣💙
Learn more about them here
Dolphin Monitoring, New Research Tools and Marine Education
MORIGNEOS x ClubOcean®
This August, Morigenos continued its regular monitoring of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Trieste, collecting valuable long-term data on their presence, distribution, and behaviour. The team also responded to several dolphin strandings recorded along the coast, participating in necropsies to gather important information about the animals’ health and potential causes of mortality.
A major milestone this month was the launch of zamorje.si, a new public reporting platform developed with project partners. The platform allows people to report marine mammal sightings and other notable events at sea, creating an additional source of data while encouraging the public to become more involved in marine research and conservation.
Education also remained an important part of Morigenos’ work. The team collaborated with school teachers to develop and deliver a workshop on marine mammals and the marine environment, providing practical resources and knowledge that can be integrated into biology and life science lessons.
By connecting scientific monitoring, citizen participation, and education, Morigenos continues to strengthen both research and public involvement in the protection of dolphins and the Adriatic marine environment. 🐬🌊📚💙
Learn more about them here
Giving African Penguins a Second Chance
SANCCOB x ClubOcean®
SANCCOB continued its intensive seabird rehabilitation work, with 191 seabirds released during August. Among them were African Penguins that had been rescued as eggs, chicks, or injured birds and cared for by the organization’s rehabilitation and nursery teams.
One major milestone was the release of 88 African Penguin chicks at De Hoop Nature Reserve. Each had originally been rescued as an abandoned egg, artificially incubated and hand-reared at SANCCOB’s Pamela Isdell Seabird Nursery before finally making its way into the ocean. Other individual recovery stories continued too, including young penguins requiring treatment for severe injuries and malnutrition.
At the same time, SANCCOB remained alert to growing threats. Its Eastern Cape centre recorded 18 African Penguins with injuries consistent with shark predation in August, while teams continued responding to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Encouragingly, recent monitoring indicated a decrease in positive cases among gulls and terns.
Beyond rehabilitation, education remained central to SANCCOB’s mission. More than 2,500 learners were reached during July, bringing the total number of visitors engaged in 2026 to over 27,000. From raising vulnerable chicks to responding to disease and inspiring future conservationists, SANCCOB continues to protect seabirds at every stage of their lives. 🐧🌊💙
Learn more about them here
Two Rescued Seals Begin Their Journey Back to the Wild
HBSRC x ClubOcean®
This month, HBSRC responded to the rescue of two female Subantarctic fur seals in need of assistance. After being checked by the team, both animals received fluids and initial care before beginning the next stage of their rehabilitation.
Once stabilized, the seals were carefully transported to Bayworld in Port Elizabeth, where they could receive further assessment and specialized care. Their journey then continued to Mossel Bay and Oceans & Earth, with the ultimate goal of preparing them for a return to their natural environment.
Encouragingly, the rehabilitation process led to a successful release, allowing the seals to return to the ocean after the different teams involved worked together to support their recovery.
From rescue and emergency care to transport, rehabilitation, and release, their story highlights the importance of collaboration between wildlife organizations in giving marine animals the best possible chance of returning home. 🦭🌊💙
4000$ donated this month
Thanks you ! Club Ocean® contributed $3,500 this May to fuel the essential work of our incredible partner organizations worldwide. From Bali’s coral gardens to the nesting beaches of Turkey and the dolphin-filled waters of the Adriatic, your support is making a real difference for ocean and polar wildlife. Together, we’re building a brighter, more sustainable future.
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The ClubOcean® team
