Amanda Fine (WCS) with WOAH staff Sara Linanne and Mariana Delgado, who serve as the Secretariat for the WOAH Biological Standards Commission (BSC). The WOAH BSC reviews collaborating centre applications along with the WOAH Council. The designation of WCS as a WOAH Collaborating Centre was ratified by the WOAH Delegates, representing the 183 Member countries, by resolution on Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the WOAH General Session. (Photo taken in the exhibit area at the WOAH General Session) ...

Nice, France (June 13, 2025) – The following statement was issued today by the Wildlife Conservation Society at the closing of the third United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, UNOC3. Said Stacy Jupiter, Executive Director of Global Marine Conservation at WCS:  “This week exceeded our expectations in terms of advancing financial and political commitments for ocean action around inclusive and equitable ocean protection, particularly in climate-sensitive coastal areas...

New York, New York — June 12, 2025 — The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) hosted its annual gala tonight at the iconic Central Park Zoo, in celebration of WCS’s global mission to protect wildlife and wild places and to honor its former President and CEO Dr. Cristián Samper. Samper, an esteemed conservation biologist and environmental leader, helped shape the organization’s legacy and expand WCS’s impact on a global scale. Samper now serves as the Managing...

NICE, FRANCE (JUNE 11, 2025) – At the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, a bold new global commitment was launched to center coastal women as leaders in marine conservation and sustainable livelihoods. The Women Ocean Guardians commitment was signed by leading governments including Costa Rica, Grenada, and the UK as well as a roster of international partners – all pledging to further gender equity in oceans work. “For me, as an Indigenous marine woman, this global commitment ...

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — June 10, 2025 — The sharks are taking center stage at the New York Aquarium this summer during Shark Party, a brand new, multi-week, family-friendly event featuring educational presentations, live entertainment, and hands-on activities dedicated to these remarkable ocean dwellers. Partygoers get to spend the day with 5,000 incredible marine animals and celebrate what makes sharks remarkable. The celebration runs daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 4 through July 14...

New York, New York — June 10, 2025 — The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will host its annual gala on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the iconic Central Park Zoo, in celebration of WCS’s global mission to protect wildlife and wild places through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. This year’s event will honor Dr. Cristián Samper, an esteemed conservation biologist and environmental leader whose decade of leadership as...

Nice, France, June 10, 2025 – At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), a growing coalition of countries and partners today launched and signed a high-level global commitment to protect climate-resilient coral reefs, setting a new bar for ocean action in a warming world. Championed by WCS alongside the Government of Papua New Guinea, WWF, and TNC, this voluntary commitment prioritizes coral reefs with the greatest potential to survive climate change – and to serve...

Images of the “butcher paper” being used by fish markets in New York and New Jersey to spread the word about protecting the underwater Hudson Canyon about 100 miles off the coast of NYC. New York, NY – June 10,  2025 — WCS is launching a new campaign—Petition Paper— to drive awareness and action around the protection of Hudson Canyon, a vital underwater ecosystem located just 100 miles off the coast of New York City i...

Nice, France, June 10, 2025 – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today announced over $40M in active funding commitments for 30x30 action, catalysed by its 30x30 Ocean Accelerator. The Ocean Accelerator is designed to be fast, efficient and flexible—helping governments, local communities, and conservation organizations seize time-sensitive opportunities to protect the ocean in ways that are inclusive, durable, and impactful. “This initiative meets countri...

Nice, France, June 10, 2025 – At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Government of Tanzania announced the designation of two new marine protected areas (MPAs) in the biodiverse waters off Pemba Island, a major step forward for marine conservation in the Western Indian Ocean. The North-East Pemba Conservation Area (837 km²) and the South-East Pemba Conservation Area (468 km²) together span over 1,300 km² and protect vital coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves,...