Awarded the Prestigious International Ocean Stewardship Award! – Congratulations Ms. Kathryn Audroing – IMA Researcher
We are bursting with pride! Our very own Kathryn Audroing, Research Officer – Environmental Sociologist, Biodiversity and Ecology Programme, has been selected as one of only three global winners for the prestigious Ocean Stewardship Award!
Congratulations to Ms. Kathryn Audroing!
This prestigious global recognition, founded in honor of the late pioneering ocean lawyer, Dr. Kristina Gjerde, celebrates early-career leaders advancing marine conservation through scientifically rigorous and community-driven work. Ms. Audroing was specifically recognised for her dedication to equitable ocean governance, through uniting communities and bridging the gap between scientific research and local marine conservation, in research with migratory sea turtles and the Institute’s MARIN Tobago Project.
Ms. Audroing’s influence extends beyond Trinidad and Tobago. She has represented Trinidad and Tobago in international negotiations on ocean governance, including the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty. Her participation underscores the growing role of small island states in shaping global environmental policy, particularly as they face disproportionate impacts from rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and declining fish stocks. Her advocacy for the principle of the “Common Heritage of Humankind” reflects a broader shift in governance, one that emphasises the ocean as a shared resource requiring collective responsibility. By combining ecological science with the voices and concerns of local residents, Ms. Audroing exemplifies a new generation of conservationists capable of navigating complex governance systems while maintaining strong community ties.
She continues to play a vital role in the MARIN Tobago Project, led by the Institute of Marine Affairs. Focused on strengthening marine biodiversity, coastal resilience, and community livelihoods, Ms. Audroing combines ecological science with the perspectives of coastal residents to underscore both the urgency of reef conservation and its cultural significance, a responsibility she embraces with unwavering dedication.
Special thanks to Synchronicity Earth and the Ocean Stewardship Award for recognising such vital work from Trinidad and Tobago. This annual award will provide financial support to early-career conservationists as well as mentoring and training from experienced environmentalists and an opportunity to join a global network of awardees as the community grows. The IMA is honoured to work alongside Kathryn in strengthening our marine resilience network.
Read the full announcement:
Synchronicity Earth –
https://www.synchronicityearth.org/inaugural-ocean…/
Ocean Stewardship Awardees and about her journey and why this global win matters for our islands: Ocean Stewardship Award 2026 – https://sweettntmagazine.com/ocean-stewardship-award…/…
