January 15th 2026
As part of the Shark Club activities, Mundo Azul Foundation facilitated an educational workshop focused on plastic and microplastic pollution, how it reaches the ocean, and the impacts it has on sharks, rays, and marine ecosystems.
The session began with an initial oral assessment to understand participants’ prior knowledge about plastic pollution. Results showed that only 30% of responses were correct, highlighting a basic level of understanding and allowing facilitators to adapt the workshop content to better support learning and engagement.
Participants learned to distinguish between macroplastics and microplastics, identify their main sources, and understand the pathways through which they enter the ocean—such as urban waste, rivers, beaches, and fishing activities. The workshop also explained how plastics move through the marine food web, eventually reaching top predators like sharks and rays, with negative consequences for their health.
The discussion expanded to examine the impacts of plastic pollution across different marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and the open ocean. Emphasis was placed on physical damage to wildlife, disruption of natural processes, and the accumulation of plastic debris in large oceanic areas.
A hands-on activity allowed participants to collect and sift sand from their local beach, making the presence of macroplastics and microplastics visible. This practical experience encouraged reflection on how everyday waste reaches the sea and affects marine species—as well as humans, who are part of the same food chain.
The workshop concluded by encouraging participants to reflect on the ecological and social consequences of plastic pollution and to take an active role in reducing single-use plastics by applying the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. A final evaluation showed an 80% improvement in knowledge, reinforcing the importance of environmental education in building long-term ocean stewardship.
We are deeply grateful to Rufford Foundation and Luis von Ahn Foundation for their generous support of this project. Their commitment to environmental education and marine conservation has been essential in strengthening awareness among youth and coastal communities about plastic pollution and its impacts on marine ecosystems, including key species such as sharks and rays. With their support, we continue turning knowledge into meaningful action for ocean conservation.
Know. Love. Conserve