Our Ocean 2023 Award Winners
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, a group of young scientists in Panama initiated a beach cleanup in the Caribbean Sea and began studying solid waste pollution in the coastal marine system. In 2022, thanks to the funds received from the Our Oceans 2023 award, the use of technology, including marine and underwater drones, was initiated to accelerate deep exploration.
The TEQUINA WAVE team has made significant strides. They mapped part of the seabed in Puerto Lindo Bay, identified submerged marine debris and various species, and explored the human impact on the coastal marine system—covering ocean acidification, pollution, and deforestation. This combined effort in cleanup, research, and education is reshaping how we approach and protect our oceans. Today, we have evolved from being a startup to a digital entrepreneurial society.