“Ocean science is the key to understanding and protecting the vast blue world that sustains us. Through exploration and discovery, we uncover the past, navigate the present, and safeguard the future of our planet’s most vital ecosystem.”

At Ocean Missions, we are dedicated to advancing marine research and conservation. Our team is actively involved in diverse scientific fields, focusing on ocean health, marine biodiversity, and the impact of human activities on fragile ecosystems. Through collaborative projects, citizen science, and academic research, we contribute to a greater understanding of the marine environment and advocate for its protection.

• Hope Spot Surveys Report (English, Icelandic)
• Master Thesis – Katie Parker (pdf)

• Validating Citizen Science for Community-Driven Microplastic Monitoring and Marine Protection in Northeast Iceland’s Hope Spot – Belén G. Ovide et al., 2025 (link)
• Assessment of Prevalence and Heterogeneity of Meso- and Microplastic Pollution in Icelandic Waters – Belén G. Ovide et al., 2022 (link)
• Iceland’s Commitment to Clean Beaches – Johanna Frank, 2024 (link)
• Microplastics in Sea Surface Waters of Skjálfandi Bay, Iceland, and Their Potential Impact on Baleen Whales – Eleanor Young, 2023 (link)
• Combining citizen-science with micro- and macroplastic research in Iceland (POSTER for the Arctic Plastic Symposium, in Vienna) – Belén G. Ovide, 2023 (pdf)

• Can Sailing Tourism and Marine Research Benefit Each Other? – Hugo Vancraenenbroeck, 2023 (link)

• Ocean Missions Impact Report 2022-2023 – (pdf)
• Ocean Missions Impact Report 2022-2021 (pdf)
• Pilot Expedition Report 2019 – (pdf)

• Boat Noise and Its Potential Effects on Humpback Whales in Skjálfandi Bay – Belén G. Ovide, 2017 (link)
• First Estimates of Entanglement Rate of Humpback Whales in Coastal Icelandic Waters – Charla Basran et al., 2019 (link)
• First Documented Migration of an Icelandic Humpback Whale Mother and Calf from the West Indies Breeding Grounds – Charla Basran et al., 2023 (link)
• Behavioral Responses of Humpback Whales to Acoustic Deterrent Devices in Northern Feeding Grounds off Iceland – Charla Basran, 2020 (link)

Through these contributions, Ocean Missions continues to expand knowledge, raise awareness, and drive meaningful action for the protection of our oceans. Our work is a testament to the power of science, collaboration, and dedication in ensuring a sustainable future for marine ecosystems.