The program “Marine conservation without borders” was established as an international initiative developed by young marine conservation practitioners – Duke Global Fellows in Marine Conservation 2013 from Brazil, Albania, Russia and India. 

 

The pilot project was agreed to be held in Caravelas, state of Bahia, Brazil with two main goals: to get familiar with Conservation International Brazil activities and share experience gained in participants' home countries with Brazilian colleagues who work with marine conservation.

 

The pilot project was launced in October 2014 and resulted in an increased understanding of the state and main directions of conservation science and practice in Brazil, allowed the participants to exchange ideas and come up with joint solutions for some conservation related issues, agree on the necessity for continuation of cooperation in this sphere. It was full of productive discussions on local conservation efforts and related problems, potential follow-up activities for marine conservation expertise exchange and ways to promote and advertise marine conservation on broader international scale. 

 

The program is meant to be a tool allowing marine conservationists and young scientists to seek funding, support, collaborators, host organizations for events and projects worldwide. Joining the program is a way to share and promote ideas, ask for assistance or professional advice, build up new initiatives and enhance networking opportunities.