The nomination and selection process

Nominations for the Blue Water Heroes awards will open until 11.59pm UTC+8 on August 28, 2023.

Ten finalists will be selected among the applicants and invited to participate in a pitch competition, where they will present their vision, impact and plans to a judging panel comprising marine and conservation experts as well as business executives.

The judges include Dr Toh Tai Chong, senior lecturer and associate director of studies at the National University of Singapore; Winston Chow, associate professor of Urban Climate at Singapore Management University; Christine Amour-Levar, founder of Her Planet Earth and Women On A Mission; Janet Shum, sustainable investing specialist for APAC at Citi Private Bank; Paul Foster, actor, television personality and environmentalist; Arthur Tay, CEO of SUTL Group of Companies, which owns ONE°15 Marina; and Chong Seow Wei, regional senior editor at Tatler Gen.T.

Read more: The conservationist who is protecting Malaysia’s marine mammals

The pitch competition will take place on October 10, 2023. Finalists based in Singapore will pitch in person at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore, while those based outside of Singapore will do so virtually.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner held at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore on November 3.

The criteria

An individual is eligible to apply for the Blue Water Heroes Awards if the following applies to them:

• They have made a positive impact in advocating for and protecting coastal and marine life and environments in the last 24 months.
• They are primarily based in Southeast Asia or have made a significant impact in the region.
• They are an individual advocate or leader of a non-profit or NGO advancing society’s awareness of ocean conservation through education or community to create scalable impact.
• They are the founder, co-founder or head of a social enterprise that is improving marine health and sustainability using technology-enabled solutions.

The prize

• Cash prizes of S$25,000 (1st place), S$15,000 (2nd place) and S$10,000 (3rd place).
• Access to collaboration, mentorship, speaking and networking opportunities with industry leaders and experts within ONE°15 Marina and Gen.T’s networks across the region.
• PR and marketing support through ONE°15 Marina and Gen.T.

Read more: Who are the youngest honourees on the Gen.T List 2023?

A pledge to protect the environment

Research and scientific evidence warn us that climate change and unchecked marine pollution pose significant threats to the health of our oceans, their biodiversity and the coastal populations that depend on them.

ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore launched the Blue Water EduFest in 2022 with the objective of raising awareness about the pressing need to accelerate conservation efforts in Southeast Asia. Its mission, says Tay, is to garner support and advance the “Blue Water movement” across the region through partnerships with governments and industry partners. 

The event aims to bring together conservationists, environmental experts and key stakeholders, all united by a shared purpose: To protect our oceans and chart out a plan for the future of our planet.

Aside from the awards, the ticketed Blue Water EduFest also features The Ocean Collective Summit on November 2 and 3. Acclaimed oceanographer and environmentalist Fabien Cousteau will be a guest speaker. A series of talks and panels will also discuss the latest research and developments addressing two key issues: Plastics and climate change.

Last year’s Blue Water Heroes award recipients will also share insights about their missions and causes during the summit.

On November 4, a beach clean-up activity is scheduled.

The Blue Water EduFest is organised by ONE°15 Events Management, in partnership with The International SeaKeepers Society Asia and Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, supported by Sentosa Development Corporation. For more information, visit the Blue Water EduFest website.

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