Mundus maris – Sciences and Arts for Sustainability asbl is celebrating its first 10 years. In that time, our activities and projects to protect the oceans and its people have grown. From an initial five larger projects in the first year, we have grown to almost 30 major activities last year. Through these activities, we continue to blend sciences and art to promote the restoration, protection and sustainable use of the ocean and coastal zones.

Combining easy access to the sciences with artistic expressions about the sea and the people of the sea whenever possible, the organisation has been actively pursuing these objectives. In doing so we are attentive to respect local knowledge and honour the cultural heritage of the people of the sea.

Much of our main activities have been focused on raising awareness and sharing knowledge to live sustainably with the ocean. In our activities, we pay special attention to young people and to work for and with the small-scale fishers - men, women and children - who bring much crucial, local knowledge to the table. As part of these efforts, we advocate for implementing the Voluntary Guidelines for Ensuring Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (VGSSF) and connecting the global agenda 2030 for sustainable development with local advances.

Our non-profit organisation is registered in Brussels, Belgium, but has an international membership and network of supporters and collaborations. Our preferred mode of action is in collaboration with other like-minded organisations and initiatives, such as recently with the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) or by contributing to and using FishBase, the global information system on all fish. We participate actively in broad-based initiatives, such as “Make Stewardship Count” to reform the Marine Stewardship Council, “Rise up for the Ocean”, “Stop harmful subsidies to fisheries” and the UN “Community of Ocean Action” with concrete commitments. We regularly contribute to the UN celebrations of World Ocean Day and develop a small-scale fisheries academy as a multi- stakeholder platform to support the implementation of the VGSSF.

The number and type of major activities per year has evolved since the early days. Ten years in, we are proud of what we have achieved as a small organisation. It would not have been possible without you and all our supporters who contributed to our work in so many different ways. Now, it’s time to reflect on where to go next and to grow our impact further. After this first decade and in the light of the corona pandemic which has brought many changes in operations, it is time to think of how to welcome new members, strengthen existing collaborations and create new opportunities in pursuit of the objectives we share with you and many others.

Hoping that you are all safe and well, as our supporter, help us make these choices by answering our survey.