5:00 PM — Happy Hour with a View

The evening kicked off with great conversation and vegan bites (so good, I questioned if they were actually vegan). I chatted with awardees about their work while gazing out over the harbor; one of the very places we’re working to protect.

6:30 PM — Aquarium After Hours

We strolled through the National Aquarium and got to enjoy the sharks before circling back for more food, drinks, and mingling with others in the ocean space. It is a stunning location with a great flow, designed to keep you walking through and immerse you in the beauty of the ocean.

8:00 PM — The Awards Begin

Then came the heart of it all: the awards ceremony. Here’s who was honored:

Shalise Leesfield: Christopher Benchley Youth Award

An 18-year-old marine conservationist and scuba diver from rural Australia, Shalise is living proof that age is no barrier to making waves.

She started Shalise’s Ocean Support at just 10 years old, collected marine debris data, led a successful Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant project, and helped designate Fish Rock, just off the coast from the tiny community of South West Rocks, a five hours’ drive north of Sydney, as a protected “Hope Spot.”

Brenda Mallory : Excellence in Policy

As Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, Brenda Mallory is at the helm of U.S. environmental policy. Under her watch, the U.S. rolled out its first Ocean Climate Action Plan and reinstated protections for ocean habitats.

Her work bridges science, community, and government to protect marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them and speaks to the necessity of policy in conservation.

Dr. Fisk Johnson : Excellence in Sustainable Business Solutions

Dr. Johnson is CEO of SC Johnson and a dedicated sustainability advocate. He and SC Johnson have been working hard to reduce plastic waste within the company and pushing for corporate accountability for others.

He supports policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which encourages companies to clean up after themselves. As he put it, cutting plastic use may cost businesses upfront, but it’s worth every penny for the planet. They are currently working on policy to influence other corporations to take the same steps they have to reduce plastic.

Jason Momoa : Ocean Hero

Aquaman himself is an active ocean supporter. Through his company, Mananalu, Momoa is working to replace single-use plastic water bottles with reusable options. He recently teamed up with Boomerang Water, whose machines refill and sanitize up to 3,000 aluminum or glass bottles daily—slashing carbon emissions from transportation alone by 95%. That’s the kind of tech we need and Momoa is using his platform in a truly admirable manner.

The Republic of Chile : Excellence in National Leadership

Chile is leading the way in marine conservation. Their National Ocean Program aims to manage 100% of their ocean territory sustainably—and they’re already protecting 43% of it, way ahead of the global goal of 30% by 2030. They’ve also been trailblazers on the international stage, helping ratify the historic High Seas Treaty.

Netflix’s “Our Oceans”: Excellence in Media

Executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama and narrated by President Obama himself, this stunning series takes viewers through all five of Earth’s oceans. Using cutting-edge underwater tech and storytelling, it reminds us how deeply connected we are to marine life and how much our choices with regard to the oceans, affect our entire world.

Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker: Excellence in Action

Violet Sage Walker, Chair of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, is working to establish the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in honor of her late father, Chief Fred Collins. With 35 years in cultural resource management, her efforts are deeply rooted in protecting her tribe’s legacy, the environment, and sacred marine spaces.

Dr. Dawn Wright: Excellence in Science and Exploration

Known as “Deep Sea Dawn,” Dr. Wright is the Chief Scientist at Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) and led the creation of a 3D digital map of the ocean, known as the Ecological Marine Units (EMUs). It’s helping scientists and policymakers better understand marine environments and plan for a more sustainable future.

It was a magical line up and each awardee was deeply inspirational and reminds us all that we can all make a difference. It reminded me too that it is important to celebrate our wins so that we have the power and energy and inspiration to continue to protect and clean up our earth.

9:30 PM — Dessert & Dancing

We wrapped up with sweet treats and some joyful dancing.

After a night like that, you can’t help but feel hopeful.
As I reflect on World Ocean Day and the spirit of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, I am reminded not only of the wonder and vitality of the seas but also of the tragedies unfolding just beneath the surface. I can’t stop thinking about Wikie and Keijo, the last two captive orcas in France, circling endlessly in their deteriorating concrete tanks at a defunct marine park near the French Riviera. The park is closed. New animal welfare laws are in place. Yet there they remain—cut off from the ocean, alone.

France has pledged to end cetacean captivity by 2026, but so far, no sanctuary has been secured. Failed transfer attempts and worsening conditions are putting these intelligent, social beings at serious risk.

If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll take action. Write to President Emmanuel Macron. Share Wikie and Keijo’s story. Demand that France follow through on its promise to protect marine life—not just in words, but with real, urgent solutions.