Surf ecosystems support biodiversity, cultural heritage, and local economies. With over 5,000 mapped surf breaks globally, many are in ecologically rich areas that store carbon and sustain marine life. Surfing generates an estimated US $50 billion annually, providing
jobs and shaping coastal cultures, while also holding deep cultural and spiritual significance. However, these ecosystems face growing threats from overdevelopment, climate change, and biodiversity loss. A global movement is emerging to protect surf ecosystems, recognizing their role in environmental sustainability and coastal resilience.
This document, developed by Save The Waves Coalition (STW), Conservation International (CI), and the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA, for its acronym in Spanish) with Global Environment Facility (GEF) funding, provides key strategies for conservation practitioners, governments, and communities. It covers conceptual foundations for the understanding of surf ecosystems and their benefits, and best practices & implementation strategies for their protection —including mapping, threat assessment, legal frameworks, policy integration, stakeholder engagement, the blue economy, and sustainable financing. The recommendations included in this guidance are accompanied by case studies and examples from around the world— to showcase successes and share lessons learned from surf ecosystem conservation efforts. By combining science, policy, and community action, this initiative aims to ensure surf ecosystems remain resilient and accessible for future generations.
