Deep Ocean Stewardship with Leneka T. Rhoden, SOA Deep-Sea Delegation

Welcome back to Planet & Purpose, a bi-weekly LinkedIn Newsletter featuring professional insights and personal experiences from ocean and climate ecopreneurs, VCs, advocates, and beyond.

If you’re new to my page and this newsletter, I am happy to have you here! I'm Daniela V. Fernandez , Founder & CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA).

Today, I am joined by Leneka T. Scott (née Rhoden) —a Jamaican ocean advocate and academic who holds a Masters in Philosophy of Environmental Biology from The University of the West Indies, Mona , and is actively pursuing a Masters of Law in Energy & Climate Change from Queen Mary University of London as a Chevening Scholar to further her regional ocean advocacy work.

Among her many impressive achievements, Leneka serves as Director of Energy Systems & Conservation for the Government of Jamaica, is the Caribbean Regional Coordinator for the High Seas Alliance , and is an Advisory Board Member for the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI).

With the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in the rearview, Leneka speaks with me after joining SOA’s most recent Deep-Sea Delegation as our delegation’s Strategy Lead for Jamaica.

Dive into this fascinating interview below and stay tuned for upcoming editions focused on innovative methods in marine carbon dioxide removal, a new fund launching at the upcoming COP16, and much more.

Daniela V. Fernandez (DVF): Welcome to Planet & Purpose, Leneka!

I’m thrilled to welcome you to the newsletter as a respected ocean champion in the Caribbean, an ocean scholar, and a member of SOA’s International Seabed Authority (ISA) Deep-Sea Delegation for the 29th Session Council & Assembly Meetings.

Leneka T Rhoden (LTR): Thank you for the introduction and for having me, Daniela. I am excited to dive in and share more about my experience and journey within the deep sea landscape!

DVF: Before we get into deep-sea mining updates, please share your earliest memories of the ocean with readers to help us understand why you’ve dedicated your academic and professional journey to this movement.

LTR: Growing up in Jamaica just ten minutes away from the iconic Bob Marley Beach, I quickly fell in love with the ocean. I was always in the ocean and viewed it not just as a body of water but as a massive, living organism—full of mysteries and surprises.

This upbringing sparked my passion for natural sciences with a particular interest in marine biology, falling further in love with the prospect of deeply understanding the ocean and all its complexities. I was curious about how its vast (and mostly unexplored) ecosystems functioned, the delicate balance that kept coral reefs healthy, and the intricate relationships between marine organisms.

This fascination led me to study Marine Biology & International Relations at The University of the West Indies, Mona—I wanted to explore not just the science of the sea, but also the global policies that impact it.

DVF: My early years in Ecuador similarly inspired my love of natural wonders!Given that services like tourism make up approximately 70% of Jamaica’s GDP, you have a unique, regionally-informed understanding of how managing ocean resources is essential to ensuring economic stability. Please say more on this.

LTR: Correct—and managing ocean resources (even beyond national borders) by guiding policies and practices is a big part of my role on the Advisory Board at DOSI.

I focus on ensuring that these resources are used sustainably and equitably, keeping in mind the broader goals of environmental justice.?

I also currently work across the Caribbean:

• Helping fellow Small Island Developing States (SIDS) complete State of Environment reports as an Environmental Management Specialist?

• Strengthening the capacity and management structure of Environmental NGOs?
• Promoting the ratification of the BBNJ Treaty (commonly known as the High Seas Treaty) in the Caribbean region

DVF: Your work in the Caribbean towards the 30x30 goal and advocating against deep-sea mining is so valuable. We were honored to have you in SOA’s delegation to the ISA this summer!

Aligned with that, please share key updates from your experience this summer at the 29th Session of the ISA with readers.

LTR: Glad to! I greatly appreciated the opportunity to represent SOA as the Strategy Lead for Jamaica at the 29th ISA Session in July. Being that the ISA is headquartered and hosted in my home country of Jamaica, it was an honor to serve as a representative and advocate for protecting the deep sea.

During the meetings, I got to review the deep-sea mining draft regulations (also referred to as the ‘mining code’) and prepare interventions that promoted the focus on protecting this delicate and critical marine ecosystem.

And our delegation’s advocacy efforts resonated greatly in the conference room, with five new member States and many environmental groups joining our call for a moratorium.

Austria, Malta, Tuvalu, Honduras, and Guatemala all emphasized the necessity for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystems, bringing our global efforts to 32 nations publicly standing against this destructive industry. This momentum led to the adoption of stronger language around environmental safeguards within the drafted regulations.

We also made significant progress toward establishing more stringent science-based regulations and frameworks to guide any future deep-sea mining activities. On the downside, there remains a significant divide regarding the timeline for approving deep-sea mining licenses, if at all.

A key highlight of this meeting was the election of Leticia Carvalho —Brazilian oceanographer and UN diplomat—as the next Secretary General of the ISA, beating the incumbent Michael Lodge.?

Our entire delegation left the meeting feeling hopeful that with her at the helm of the ISA for the next 4 years, we will usher in a new precedent for the Authority to be led by transparency, accountability, and science-based decision-making.?

To say we all had tears of joy at the end of this meeting is an understatement.

DVF: I’m so excited and hopeful as well! Shifting gears, how has your lived experience in Jamaica informed your approach to these negotiations?

LTR: One key realization—and this is my advice—is that it is important to listen deeply and understand each stakeholder's perspective.?

Effective ocean advocacy is not just about environmental protection, but about finding common ground and fostering partnerships for sustainable solutions.?

Recognize that advocacy isn’t just about science—it involves economic, social, and cultural aspects too—and being emotionally intelligent. For this work to be successful, it has to be intersectional.

DVF: I couldn’t agree more on the intersectionality of the ocean and climate movement.?

Speaking to the economic aspect, one concern is that deep-sea mining supporters are making false promises of resulting economic prosperity for Jamaicans and other vulnerable island nations (Papua New Guinea being a prime example of this exact problem coming to fruition).

Disinformation could lead to the approval of this harmful activity when it’s clear it would unequivocally decimate the local environment needlessly since deep sea mining is a financial risk.

Do you have advice for young people in the Caribbean who are eager to advocate for ocean conservation, rather than the extraction of its precious natural resources in the deep?

LTR: Of course! One approach is to write personalized letters to your local representatives encouraging them to take a stance against deep-sea mining as well as advocate for sustainable policies and alternatives. You can ask straightforward questions such as, “Why has our country not yet ratified the BBNJ Treaty?” or “What policies are you considering to encourage investment in clean energy technologies?”

Other actions you can take are to educate others by hosting workshops, webinars, and community events. You can even start or join a local ocean advocacy group like Sustainable Ocean Alliance, or use social media as a tool to spread awareness on critical issues.

DVF: These are all great suggestions, Leneka. We need more young people like you to get involved! Thinking back, what valuable lessons have you learned that you can impart to aspiring young ocean advocates who want to follow in your footsteps?

LTR: A pivotal moment in my early career came while working with the Commonwealth Blue Charter, where I led a dialogue on establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).?

I realized we live in a world where not many people understand the importance of environmental conservation, and that’s why I’m so committed to advocacy and raising regional awareness.?

This experience taught me—and can help readers—understand the importance of balancing diverse interests, from local communities and conservationists to policymakers and businesses.

DVF: Thank you for that insight. So, what’s next for you in your ocean advocacy journey?

LTR: I’m thrilled to announce I’ve been selected to receive the Chevening Scholarship to pursue my Masters of Law in Energy & Climate Change at Queen Mary University of London.?

It is an incredible honor and a significant step forward in my journey as an ocean governance and energy specialist. This opportunity will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of energy and climate change law, which is essential for developing policies that protect our marine ecosystems.?

I plan to use this knowledge to influence regional discussions and promote sustainable practices that benefit our oceans and the people who rely on them.

DVF: Thank you for the work you’re doing to strengthen community understanding of the benefits of ocean conservation policy in the Caribbean and to advocate against deep-sea mining.

I can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings for you! I know it will expand your ocean expertise to benefit the Caribbean, SIDS across the globe, and the ocean at large.

LTR: Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience, Daniela. Together, we will #DefendTheDeep!

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OPPORTUNITIES IN SOA’S NETWORK

SUPPORT SOA’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST DEEP-SEA MINING

Want to support SOA’s efforts from wherever you are in the world? Here is how YOU can take action to prevent deep-sea mining:

• Sign SOA’s Petition Against Deep-Sea Mining and learn more about our global campaign here.
• Encourage your government and representatives to oppose deep-sea mining by contacting your official representative here.

Help spread the word about this issue among your networks with SOA's Deep-Sea Mining Social Media Toolkit with graphics, links, and captions (available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, and Filipino).

DUE SOON: APPLY TO SOA’S ECOPRENEUR NETWORK CLASS OF 2024

The window to apply to join SOA’s Ecopreneur Network Class of 2024 is closing. Learn more and apply here by October 4. Applications received after this date will be considered for the Class of 2025.?

Know the perfect founder or ocean startup? Nominate them here!