In September, The Ocean Cleanup's Interceptor 006 successfully intercepted over 210,000 kilograms of trash before it could reach the Gulf of Honduras. Additionally, an MoU was signed with Barranquilla to implement Interceptor solutions in the Magdalena River and Caribbean, marking Colombia as the 13th country of operation.

The organization also became a Nonprofit Impact Partner of 1% for the Planet, allowing companies to support its mission. Founder Boyan Slat was recognized on The Independent’s Climate 100 list for 2026. For World Cleanup Day, participants from 42 countries shared photos of their efforts to pick up plastic waste.

Pacific sardines are vital for the survival of whales, seabirds, sea lions, and large fish along the U.S. West Coast. As a key species in the ocean food web, their decline significantly affects marine ecosystems.

Unfortunately, their population has plummeted by 97% over the past 20 years due to overfishing and changing ocean conditions. Despite this, the Trump administration is advocating for increased fishing of this vulnerable species. Join us in defending these essential fish and the wildlife that depends on them: https://oceana.ly/47o2nET

September brought significant advancements in ocean conservation, highlighting new discoveries and impactful legislation for marine life.

Stay updated on these inspiring stories that are making a difference for our oceans.

North Atlantic right whales are critically endangered, with only about 380 individuals left. Some members of Congress are attempting to delay essential protections for this species.

These whales urgently need our help. Join us in urging the U.S. Senate to reject this bill and ensure the protections they deserve: oceana.ly/4dGCTpO

We are excited to announce our arrival in Barranquilla, Colombia! 🇨🇴 We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with @alcadiabarranquilla to implement Interceptor solutions in the Magdalena River and Caribbean, protecting vital ecosystems like mangroves and beaches while supporting local fishing and tourism communities.

Barranquilla, along with our recent project in Santa Marta, marks the beginning of our operations in Colombia, our 13th country. This initiative is part of our 30 Cities Program, aiming to reduce up to one-third of global river plastic by 2030. Stay tuned for more updates on Colombia and other projects!

Rizky Oktaviana was lured by the promise of a good job on an industrial fishing vessel, but his experience turned into a nightmare. For 18 months, he faced perilous conditions, witnessed harmful fishing practices, and was trapped at sea without compensation.

Now a human rights advocate in Indonesia, Rizky fights for the rights of fishers, ensuring their voices are heard. Discover his full story and the human cost of seafood by watching here: https://youtu.be/2fit5OPywwg.

Interceptor 011 in Kingston, Jamaica, captures trash in rivers before it reaches the ocean, improving the lives of coastal communities.

While not a solution to upstream challenges, the data collected helps enhance our 30 Cities Program, which aims to reduce global plastic emissions by one-third by 2030. We also collaborate with governments and policymakers to promote upstream change.

🦈 Healthy oceans depend on sharks. These vital predators maintain balance in ocean ecosystems by regulating prey populations and preying on old and sick fish, which promotes overall fish health.

Protecting these iconic ocean animals is crucial now more than ever.

Ocean acidification is weakening sharks' teeth, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems.

This change highlights the broader impact of climate change on ocean life.

Check out the latest catch from Interceptor 006 in the Rio Las Vacas, Guatemala 🇬🇹.

Rizky Oktaviana endured 18 months of unpaid labor as a fisher on a trawling vessel, witnessing illegal fishing practices and harsh conditions. Now, he advocates for the rights of migrant fishers, highlighting that at least 128,000 fishers are currently trapped in forced labor at sea. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing not only exploits workers but also threatens marine ecosystems and global food security, costing between $26 to $50 billion annually.

To combat these abuses, coordinated action is essential, including stronger protections from policymakers and transparency in seafood supply chains. Learn more about fishers' journeys from exploitation to advocacy and how we can work together for a better future for fishers and our oceans: Fishers Speak Out.

Giant Pacific octopuses are known for their intelligence, capable of remembering landmarks, navigating their environment, and using tools.

Discover more about these fascinating cephalopods in our Marine Life Encyclopedia.

Microplastics are pervasive, contaminating our environment, bodies, and food globally. Awareness of this issue has surged in recent years, prompting the need for action.

Discover more about microplastics and Oceana's initiatives to combat the plastic crisis at Oceana. Stay updated by subscribing to Oceana's channel at this link, or become a Wavemaker to support ocean conservation at this link. Follow Oceana on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Ocean evolution has produced fish in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some fish use their pectoral fins to "walk," while others, like ghost sharks, thrive in the dark depths of the ocean.

These unique adaptations make these ocean animals well suited for life beneath the waves.

In 2022, Oceana researchers spent eight days exploring 23 sites around Kodiak Island to study deep-sea corals and seafloor habitats. The expedition revealed a vibrant ocean ecosystem from the surface to the seafloor.

The goal was to enhance understanding of the Gulf of Alaska's seafloor to aid Oceana's campaign against destructive bottom trawling.

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In August, The Ocean Cleanup expanded operations to Colombia, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Santa Marta to deploy Interceptors in the Río Manzanares and Río Gaira. This initiative is part of the 30 Cities Program, aiming to prevent one-third of river plastic from entering the ocean by 2030.

In Panama City, Interceptors 024 and 025 effectively managed trash influx during heavy rains, while in Jamaica, Interceptors 011, 013, and 015 stopped tons of waste from reaching the Caribbean Sea. Additionally, our team tested the Smart Steering Strategy in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and plans to share findings soon. An upgrade for Interceptor 004 in the Dominican Republic will include a new 400-meter barrier to enhance plastic capture.

The deep sea urgently needs protection as corporations rush to mine minerals in fragile habitats, risking the destruction of ecosystems we barely understand. In this video, Oceana Senior Advisor Alexandra Cousteau highlights the detrimental effects of deep-sea mining on marine life.

We must prevent the exploitation of this unique ecosystem. Join us in urging lawmakers to halt the fast-tracking of deep-sea mining: https://oceana.ly/4cm1NdO. Stay updated by subscribing to Oceana: https://oceana.ly/subscribe and become a Wavemaker: https://oceana.ly/4rGhn8Z. Follow Oceana on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

📍 Panama

Check out one of Interceptor 024's latest catches! Stay tuned until the end to see a person for scale.