One Earth, One Ocean, OneSea

From Costa Rica, a global call to make peace with the ocean

By UNDP Planet

April 9^th, 2024

One morning in the coastal province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Julissa found herself drawn to a humble fisher enthusiastically sharing stories, unfolding the richness of his experience at the sea.

This was not the first time - and would not be the last - when she would witness people’s deep connection with the sea and nature during her work; she always enjoys hearing their stories.

From intern to leader, Julissa Chaves embodies OneSea's mission to protect our oceans. Photo: OneSea

“The ocean isn’t just a resource – it’s a source of life and connection.”

Julissa realized the importance of listening to and immersing oneself in lived experiences. Every fisher's tale, every story from a community member, serves as a reminder that each of us plays a crucial role in preserving and protecting the ocean.

School of fish off of Cocos Islands, Costa Rica. Photo: Amanda Cotton/Ocean Image Bank

Hear to empower and conserve

Julissa Chaves joined Fundación OneSea in 2019 at the age of 20, as part of an internship during her university studies in international relations. She decided to stay on as a founding member.

OneSea is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Costa Rica that aims to protect the marine environment and give everyone a voice in doing so, regardless of gender or age. They focus on policy reforms and involve citizens in decision-making to promote a bottom-up approach. They firmly believe that local communities have a critical role in sustainable ocean management.

Local fisher, Costa Rica. Photo: Samuel Cruz/Unsplash

As a result of their efforts, Fundación OneSea was selected to be part of the first UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) cohort in 2021 to pilot solutions to marine plastic pollution and eutrophication.

Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. Photo: Jake Marsee/Pexels

To Julissa, OneSea is more than just a matter of professional and civic engagement. It is a personal mission to inspire inclusion and listen to local communities as they address environmental, social, and economic challenges.

OneSea volunteers fight plastic pollution on two fronts: cleaning Costa Rica's beaches and advocating for lasting policy change. Photo: Raddhaus.

Julissa is responsible for ensuring OneSea’s environmental campaigns are transparent by promoting and leading open discussions, narrative-building, and community engagement sessions. Her team engages communities to create regulatory proposals that conserve the environment and benefit the local economy, in turn uniting different sectors in formulating sustainable policies that include diverse perspectives.

OneSea champions community-driven ocean and environmental policies. Julissa leads community consultations to ensure an inclusive approach and that every voice is heard in shaping ocean policy in Costa Rica for lasting impact. Photo: OneSea

"In OneSea, I've learned that by actively listening to communities, partners, and beneficiaries, we can craft proposals and solutions that work for everyone. Though this approach may slow us down, it empowers stakeholders and leads to meaningful change. It reminds us that the most effective solutions come from understanding diverse perspectives and working together towards common goals."

OneSea's approach revolutionized the creation and implementation of government policies promoting sustainable development. It has led to an increased consideration and inclusion of a wide range of perspectives and needs, enabling an even more effective and comprehensive approach to tackling environmental, social, and economic challenges in Costa Rica.

OneSea, with the support of UNDP OIC, has worked with various groups to put forward four bills to the Legislative Assembly in Costa Rica. The bills aim to reduce marine pollution caused by cigarette butts, ghost fishing gear and microplastics.

Smoke-free beaches

In collaboration with the Municipal Council of Garabito and the Chamber of Tourism and Sustainable Commerce of the Central Pacific, OneSea reintroduced a smoking ban on Jaco Beach, one of the country’s most famous surfing spots, making it the first beach in the country to be a smoke-free zone.

This success has sparked a smoking ban on over 40 Costa Rican beaches, reducing the likelihood of cigarette butts polluting the seas.

An ocean at peace

By organizing peaceful civic actions, OneSea further highlights Costa Rica's role in global environmental diplomacy and underscores the oceans’ vital importance for biodiversity and human livelihood.

OneSea is currently leading a national campaign and initiative on the Declaration of Peace for the Ocean. With support from the Governments of Costa Rica and France, who are co-chairing the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, OneSea continues to promote the Declaration of Peace for the Ocean to inspire the global community to heal and improve their relationship with the ocean.

The Declaration of Peace for the Ocean serves not only as a call to action but as a global commitment to sustainable practices and policies for marine ecosystems.

"What I like most is knowing that we contribute to improving people's lives through changes that positively impact the country," Julissa replied when asked what she likes most about being part of OneSea.

To accelerate progress on SDG14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, UNDP, through its Ocean Innovation Challenge is identifying, financing, advising and mentoring truly innovative, entrepreneurial and creative approaches to coastal and ocean restoration and protection.

With funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the OIC is actively supporting replicable and scalable approaches, and working to advance the blue economy.