Five nominees will then go forward to a public vote, in which anyone can take part online. The winner, as determined by the jury and public vote, will be announced 26 January 2027, the Tuesday of the show in the venerable plenary hall of Düsseldorf City Hall by Lord Mayor Dr Stephan Keller and prominent presenters. The winner will receive €20,000 in prize money for their projects.

Interested marine conservationists can apply for the Ocean Tribute Award 2027 via the link.

By launching the marine conservation award, boot has expanded and consistently continued its long-standing commitment to water protection. Together with the German Ocean Foundation, it supports projects dedicated to the future-oriented protection of the oceans in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Whilst there were three winners in the first two years of the award, since 2020 the award has been presented to a single recipient each year. The list of winners demonstrates the diversity and international reach of the Ocean Tribute.

In 2020, the winners were the Sea Women of Melanesia; in 2021, the NGO ‘Codemar’ from Mexico; in 2022, the French company Heliorec with its environmentally friendly electric charging stations; in 2023, the Austrian Innovation Yachts, in 2024 the African project Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP Africa), in 2025 the European SeaLabs project with its marine data analysis, and in 2026 the Spanish One Ocean Planet Foundation was honoured for its children’s educational programs.

The award’s expert jury is of the highest calibre and comprises marine conservation experts, dedicated enthusiasts and trade fair organisers. The team includes Shamim Wasii Nyanda (founder of the Doors of Hope Foundation), Leonie Beck (open-water swimmer and olympic athlete), Monika Breuch-Moritz (meteorologist, Maritime Ambassador for the IMO – International Maritime Organization), Prof. em. Dr Michael Orbach (anthropologist, leading US advisor on maritime policy), Prof. em. Dr Hartmut Graßl (Chair of the Association of German Scientists, former Director of the MPI for Meteorology), Robert Marx (President of the European Boating Industry – EBI – and boot Düsseldorf) and Marius Berlemann (COO Messe Düsseldorf).

The world’s largest yacht and water sports fair

With more than 200,000 visitors from over 100 countries and nearly 1,500 exhibitors in Halls 1 to 17, boot Düsseldorf is the world’s largest yacht and water sports fair. Sailors and motor yacht enthusiasts will find a wide variety of boats, dinghies, superboats or luxury yachts.

The popular watersports of diving, surfing, kite surfing, stand up paddling, skimboarding or canoeing are available at boot in all facets and with the appropriate equipment.

Attractive stage programs with the stars of the scene, the latest trends and a high-calibre mix of workshops and hands-on activities, both for leisure sports enthusiasts and experts, make the fair unique worldwide. But marine conservation and innovative, sustainable technologies will also be in focus at boot 2027.

In cooperation with the European Boating Industry (EBI), the blue innovation dock offers a unique dialogue format with political, economic, technological and media expertise.

The next edition of boot Düsseldorf will open its doors from 23 to 31 January 2027.

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