As 2021 comes to a close, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is taking some time to reflect on everything we have accomplished this year.
Despite the restrictions imposed by the ongoing pandemic, we have had quite a few things to celebrate. This year we entered into a partnership with NASA to map the world’s reefs, concluded our 10-year Global Reef Expedition, and published a final report of our findings. We also presented our research at two major international conferences: the IUCN World Conservation Congress and the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS), released a report of our research in the Chagos Archipelago, and published several peer-reviewed scientific papers.
Our education and outreach departments also had a remarkable year. This year we launched a new mangrove conservation program with our partners in Jamaica and had students from over 60 countries submit artwork to our Science Without Borders Challenge. Last but certainly not least, we produced an excellent TV show on ocean health, “Our Living Oceans,” which is now playing on EarthxTV.
It’s been an incredible year, and we look forward to the work we will accomplish next year to help protect, preserve, and restore our living oceans.
2021 Photo Gallery
Check out the photos below to see some of our many accomplishments of the year.
“Our Living Oceans” is now playing on EarthxTV 
This year we published the Global Reef Expedition Final Report 
We also published our findings from out research in the Chagos Archipelago 
Amy & Alex with “Our Living Oceans” host Erika Bergman 
Renee sits for an interview for “Our Living Oceans” 
Sam in “Our Living Oceans” 
This year we launched a new mangrove conservation program in Jamaica 
New mangrove conservation program 
Scientists of the Living Oceans Foundation surveyed over 1,000 reefs on the Global Reef Expedition 
“Stop, Let’s Preserve Our Mangroves” by Michelle Yang, Age 16, California, United States of America 
“Shelter” by Dana Chung, Age 13, South Korea 
“The Magic of Mangroves” by Chien-Hui Stella Chuang, Age 16, Taiwan, Province of China 
“The Guardians of the Sea” by Sharon Choi, Age 16, California, United States of America 
The GRE Final Report summarized our findings on the state of coral reefs around the world 
Chagos Archipelago Final Report 
Our research in Chagos documented the mass bleaching event 
KSLOF published several papers from the Chagos Archipelago 
Before the bleaching, Chagos had remarkably healthy reefs. 
KSLOF signed a space-act agreement with NASA-Ames 
We will share our maps from the Global Reef Expedition with NASA, helping them map the world’s reefs. 
KSLOF presented our research at ICRS 
We formally concluded the Global Reef Expedition this year 
The Global Reef Expedition involved hundreds of scientists from around the world 
KSLOF presented our findings from the Global Reef Expedition at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 
H.R.H. Prince Khaled bin Sultan formally announced the conclusion of the Global Reef Expedition at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. 
The Global Reef Expedition assessed the status of coral reefs and reef fish in 16 countries across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans as well as the Red Sea.