Who we are
Sustainable Seas Trust is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that supports and connects communities across Africa through research, education, enterprise development and growing awareness about ocean conservation and plastic pollution. We also build networks, for sharing information and support, focused on waste management. Through our events and projects, the African Marine Waste Network, Hope Spots and Marine Education, we are bringing like-minded and passionate people together, locally and internationally, to manage the issues of plastic waste in Africa.
Why our work is important: Africa has some of the most exquisite, biodiverse and marine-rich coastlines in the world. We need to protect them. Waste-focused studies predict that by 2050 there will be more plastic littering Africa and entering its seas than any other continent. This vast pollution, combined with habitat destruction and over-fishing, stands to collapse the ocean’s ecosystems. That is not only a threat to our environment/ oceans, but also to us humans. In addition, addressing poverty and human health are fundamental in the fight against marine pollution. Healthy communities lead to a healthy environment.
Our mission
To grow a network of stakeholders in the conservation and waste-management sectors to facilitate best practices around conservation of Africa’s seas, and the management of waste at source, before it flows into them.
Our Projects
SST protects Africa’s oceans through education on plastic waste, conservation and fostering enterprise development

African Marine Waste Network
Our AMWN works to develop better waste-management strategies in Africa and foster enterprise development.

Hope Spots
These are marine areas of ecological and biodiversity significance around the world. There are six Hope Spots in South Africa.

Marine Education
Our programmes teach people about the coastal ecosystem and the effects of plastic pollution.
This is all that should be floating in the ocean
Plastic pollution has a huge negative impact on the marine ecosystem. Our programmes work towards tackling plastic pollution at its source: on land.
From our Blog
The Eastern Cape Committee is Leveling Up
Sustainable Seas Trust’s (SST) African Youth Waste Network (AYWN) has a vision: to bring the youth of Africa together in a dynamic network that works Towards Zero Plastics to the Seas of Africa. The AYWN's plan is to create teams – or committees – of passionate youth...
Outdoor Fun with SST Education
To equip kids to be more environmentally conscious and live sustainably, they first need to understand the intrinsic beauty and of value nature, and why every person has the responsibility to protect it. SST’s holiday clubs and coastal excursions aim to do just that:...
OCS Newsletter May 2021
Operation Clean Spot celebrates its launch with the release of the first Operation Clean Spot newsletter.
SST Shares Litter Monitoring Techniques at Training Workshop
Seeing the success of the Towards Zero Plastics to the Seas of Africa project in rolling out the monitoring programme in the Western Indian Ocean countries encouraged the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) to request that the...
Enviro Buddies Celebrate Club Launch with Clean-Up
Meet SST’s first environmental club, the Motherwell High Enviro Buddies! These 14 grade 8 to 10 learners are passionate about the environment. They will soon adopt a spot in their community to keep clean from litter, as part of SST’s Operation Clean Spot project.
Youth of Africa Making Waves to Fight Plastic Pollution
The youth of Africa is a powerful agent for change, giving voice to finding solutions to plastic pollution challenges, including its effect on the oceans. Making waves in South Africa are a number of passionate youth, including Sophia Finestone, creator of her...