Ocean Connect

Léa Breistroff is the Marine Program Manager at Ocean Connect, a Gold Coast-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to connecting people with the ocean through citizen science, education, and conservation initiatives. With over 10 years of experience as a scuba diving instructor and research diving, Léa holds a Master’s degree in Marine Biology and has worked on marine research and conservation projects around the world.

Ocean Connect delivers a range of community-driven programs that get people directly involved in the marine environment, including citizen science projects, ecological monitoring, school and community education, and coastal conservation activities. Through these initiatives, Ocean Connect enables participants to contribute to real data collection, learn about local marine ecosystems, and develop a deeper connection to the ocean. The organisation works closely with local partners to support long-term monitoring efforts and promote stewardship of the Gold Coast’s marine environments.

For this presentation, Léa will be speaking on “Connecting People with the Ocean: How Citizen Science Empowers Ocean Conservation,” exploring how community involvement can play a vital role in protecting marine ecosystems.