The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest, themed “Your Story, Our Ocean,” invites young creatives to explore the many ways the ocean sustains, protects, and inspires life on Earth. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their personal relationship with the ocean—whether living near the coast or far inland—and express how it impacts their lives and communities.
The contest highlights the ocean’s vital role in food production, climate regulation, biodiversity, and artistic inspiration. Through creative expression, students are challenged to advocate for ocean protection and environmental awareness. Since its launch in 2012, Bow Seat’s Ocean Awareness Contest has engaged tens of thousands of students globally, making it one of the largest environmental youth creative platforms in the world.