Elissa Phillips

Elissa Phillips is Director of Incredible Oceans, an ocean defender, and one of the UK’s most compelling voices for the sea. A powerful storyteller and fearless advocate, Elissa has become internationally recognised for her campaign to end commercial whaling and for standing firmly by her convictions.

In 2023, she was arrested for peacefully protesting commercial whaling in Iceland, where she took direct action to challenge the killing of whales. She and fellow activist Anahita Babei have been found guilty of all charges. Their case has since become emblematic of the intersection between ocean protection, civil liberties, and the right to peaceful protest.

Elissa has taken the issue of commercial whaling to the global stage. She was invited to speak at COP29 on the realities of modern whaling, and she brought human rights into sharp focus while moderating a high-profile panel at the UN Ocean Summit. Her work connects environmental defence with freedom of expression and the urgent need for ocean literacy.

Through Incredible Oceans, Elissa tours schools, festivals, and major public events, captivating audiences with strange and wonderful ocean stories, from the secret lives of whales to the hidden systems that keep our blue planet alive. Her approach blends science, storytelling, and activism, making complex marine issues accessible, family-friendly, and inspiring.

Whether speaking in parliament halls, international summits, or muddy festival fields, Elissa Phillips challenges audiences to see the ocean not as a distant wilderness but as the life-support system we all depend on.