Francesca founded Love the Oceans (LTO), a marine conservation organisation working to create innovative, community-driven environmental solutions through scalable conservation strategies that can be replicated in coastal regions around the world.
Love The Oceans began in 2014 when Francesca, then a 21-year-old marine biology student, witnessed shark fishing in Jangamo Bay while researching local artisanal fisheries for her master’s degree. Recognising the need to protect the area’s marine ecosystem, she decided to take action.
What began as a fisheries research project grew into a broader conservation organisation that combines scientific research, community education, and local engagement to support sustainable ocean management. Today, Love The Oceans works with the Jangamo Bay communities to develop evidence-based, community-led conservation approaches that can be replicated elsewhere in Mozambique and beyond.
The organisation has monitored over 1,000 hard coral colonies during a four year period to inform their conservation approach, protected 26 turtle nests, and collected over 2 tonnes of trash from the ocean. They have also trained 40 fisherfolk in sustainable fishing and provided ocean literacy training, focused on the intersection of conservation and community wellbeing, to 2,015 people. Love the Oceans has provided an additional 5,000 children with swimming lessons, dramatically reducing the chances of childhood drowning and saving an estimated 4 lives.
After the 2023 Summit in Belfast, One Young World introduced Francesca to The Extreme Hangout, a global climate action and youth empowerment platform who hosted her for a talk at COP26. Francesca has since gone on to public speak at many key events, including COP29 and UNOC in 2025. Most recently, Francesca launched Love The Oceans’ Ripple Network, a platform for grassroots organisations around the world to share knowledge, best practice, and resources to increase collaborative conservation efforts. She hopes to welcome others in the Ambassador Community into her new initiative.
“One Young World introduced me to many people, including putting me forward for Extreme Hangout’s event at COP26, which I spoke at, sharing Love The Oceans’ holistic approach with thousands. This talk opened many constructive conversations and I’m thrilled to continue working with One Young World.”
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