Making Waves - the Boka Bay Edition

As the sun rose over the waters of Montenegro’s iconic Boka Bay, global leaders in ocean science, sustainability, and sport gathered for a powerful morning of dialogue and action at “Making Waves – the Boka Bay Edition”, a high-level roundtable discussion hosted during The Finale of The Ocean Race Europe.

Held on the Sailors Terrace overlooking the Adriatic at the heart of The Finale of The Ocean Race Europe, the event brought together government ministers, sailors, scientists, policy shapers, and regional leaders to explore how the momentum of ocean racing can fuel lasting impact for ocean health particularly in one of Europe’s most ecologically significant and culturally rich marine environments.

Organised by The Ocean Race and Volvo Cars, this fourth edition of the Making Waves Roundtable series focused on the intersection of a sustainable blue economy and the restoration of the Boka Bay and the surrounding Adriatic Sea. It follows previous editions in Alicante (November 2024), Nice during UNOC3 (June 2025), and Kiel, Germany, ahead of the start of The Ocean Race Europe.

The event was hosted by Vanessa Butani, Head of Global Sustainability at Volvo Cars and The Ocean Race Chairman Richard Brisius who co-moderated with Lucy Hunt, Ocean Impact Director at The Ocean Race.

Vanessa Butani, Head of Global Sustainability at Volvo Cars, opened the event with a clear call to action: “Today, we all share a common mission: the safety of our planet. At Volvo Cars, we recognize that we’ve been part of the problem, and now we are committed to being part of the solution. It’s not enough to make small changes; we must challenge ourselves to find real, lasting solutions. Events like this help plant the seeds for meaningful action. My hope for Montenegro is that the country seizes this moment to create a Marine Protected Area, one that sets a powerful example for the region and beyond.”

Montenegro’s Minister of Maritime Affairs, Filip Radulovic, set the stage by outlining Montenegro’s vision for enhancing ocean literacy and marine protection, including the prioritisation of Marine Protected Areas: “There are many opportunities ahead—but also challenges. The ecological state of Boka Bay is not where it should be, and that’s why this event resonated so strongly with me. The combination of world-class sailing and a deep focus on ocean health is something Montenegro has not seen before. This week, hundreds of children have engaged with ocean literacy and sustainability for the first time. That’s powerful and I believe it’s just the beginning. I hope we can inspire new generations and push legislation.

I was deeply inspired by the film “Ocean - with David Attenborough” that I saw during The Ocean Race Europe stopover in Genova, Italy, he added. It reminded me that it’s time to turn plans into action. As a small country, we still have a big role to play. I’m committed to exploring how Montenegro can contribute to the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 and potentially become the first country in the Adriatic Sea to do so. With the support of philanthropy, science, and education, we can lead the way.”

Marian Cano, Regional Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism for Spain’s Valencian Region, home to The Ocean Race’s global headquarters and the start port for the round-the-world race in Alicante, brought a cross-Mediterranean perspective to the conversation, highlighting replicable innovations in sustainable tourism and industry:

“We also have a powerful ally in our efforts to protect the Mediterranean: Posidonia oceanica, a unique marine plant found only in this sea. It forms vast underwater meadows that are vital to the health of our marine ecosystems. Posidonia helps keep our waters clean, protects coastlines from erosion, captures carbon, and produces 20 times more oxygen than any forest on land. It also provides food and shelter for countless marine species—making it not just a plant, but a natural shield against climate change. Protecting it must be a shared priority across the region.”

Fresh from his historic victory in The Ocean Race Europe 2025, Paul Meilhat, Skipper of Team Biotherm, shared insights on how sailing’s competitive spirit can be channelled into the race for ocean restoration.

“Our team went from finishing 4th in the round-the-world race in 2023 to winning The Ocean Race Europe in 2025. In sport, we play by rules and we should approach ocean action the same way: not as a restriction, but as a challenge. We need strong, clear rules to protect our oceans, and sport can help bring that mindset to society. In sport, we respect the rules and that same energy is exactly what we need to take on this challenge."

Milivoj Dukić, four-time Olympic sailor from Montenegro and The Ocean Race Ambassador, reflected on the personal significance of the event: “I grew up here in Herceg Novi. This is where I started dreaming and where many of those dreams came true, right here in Boka Bay. Seeing so many children engaged this week reminds me that everything starts with education and action. I do my best to share my knowledge, my experience, and above all, my passion for the sea, a true jewel of Europe and the world. In the end, it all comes down to commitment and hard work.”

Sébastien Marsset, sailor at Canada Ocean Racing and champion of the team’s “Be Water Positive” mission, shared his personal motivation:

“What first drew me to sailing was a deep passion for the ocean. Before we can enjoy it we must first ensure it is healthy. That’s the foundation. Our team’s theme, Be Water Positive, reflects this belief: water is one of the most valuable resources we have, and we must learn to protect and share it responsibly, especially as global demand continues to grow. As sailors, we have a platform—and a responsibility—to improve, not just through competition, but through the message we carry.”

The science and nature finance perspective was provided by Hannah Skeates, former global head of sustainable investing, who shared her view on the role of seagrass in building a sustainable blue economy for the region.

On marine biodiversity, Dr. Aylin Akkaya, founder of DMAD – Marine Mammals Research Association, and Damian Foxall, Marine Mammal Advisory Group Coordinator and Race veteran, highlighted how sailing and science are combining to amplify marine conservation powered by local expertise from Montenegro’s own DMAD.

Record-holding Saudi freediver Salma Ahmed Shaker spoke movingly about the ocean’s restorative potential, particularly through the lens of coastal tourism development rooted in health, heritage, and harmony with nature.

As The Ocean Race Europe reaches its final milestone, “Making Waves – the Boka Bay Edition” reaffirmed that while the 2025 European race may end in Montenegro, the committed journey toward ocean health at The Ocean Race continues.