Music meets marine conservation: Sarah Connor in our workshop for the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation

Last week, we had a very special visitor: Sarah Connor , one of Germany's most well-known voices, was with us at BRACENET Netquarter – not for a concert (a shame, really 😉) , but for a project close to her heart. Together with Janek Andre, she was working on the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation. and our team, she worked on an exclusive collection that is not only stylish, but above all does one thing: protect orcas.

From the stage to the workshop: A creative day with meaning

Sarah Connor didn't just join in—she got involved herself. With a wealth of curiosity, energy, and genuine interest in marine conservation and our mission, she helped Janek Andre sort, cut, and transform old ghost nets —abandoned fishing nets that pose a deadly threat to marine animals—into handmade bracelets and keychains .

Some of these discarded fishing nets were even secured by the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation in southern Spain before they could pose a threat to orcas and other marine animals. These old fishing nets were then picked up by truck and brought to our workshop in Portugal. Each piece thus tells not only a story of upcycling but also of active ocean conservation.

Together, we crafted unique BRACENET bracelets and keychains from these salvaged fishing nets, which are now part of a limited-edition Iberian Orca Guardians collection . During that day in our workshop, we combined clasps, discussed logos, and developed various BRACENET models – with great attention to detail and in close collaboration with Sarah and Janek. In the end, the two chose the exact designs that can now be found in the collection.
We also chose the names of the products together – Spanish coastal regions that are reminiscent of the home of the Iberian orcas.

€6 per bracelet and keychain sold goes directly to conservation and research projects of the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation.

Why ghost nets? Why orcas?

Every year, thousands of tons of ghost nets drift in our oceans. They are particularly dangerous for orcas, which often move in confined coastal waters like the Strait of Gibraltar.

The Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation , founded by Sarah Connor and Janek Andre, is dedicated to the protection and conservation of the critically endangered Iberian orcas. These majestic creatures inhabit the Strait of Gibraltar from April to September, and their population is threatened by human retaliation, illegal fishing practices, and habitat destruction.

Their mission is to protect orcas and raise awareness of the challenges they face.
Through active patrols, reconnaissance and conflict resolution, they ensure that humans and orcas can coexist peacefully – this is exactly where our collaboration begins.

Sarah summed it up herself:

“If we don't act now, we'll lose more than just the orcas—we'll lose a piece of the future.” 🌊

A look behind the scenes

After the day with Sarah Connor, I asked my colleague Madeleine – I was curious about her experience of the encounter and whether anything in particular had stuck with her:

Was there anything Sarah said that particularly stuck in your mind?

Yes. She spoke about her love of the sea with such depth and genuine conviction – it wasn't just a cliché, but a matter of the heart. You can sense from her that this isn't a campaign, this is her life's work.

What was your first impression when Sarah Connor arrived at the workshop?

She was immediately likeable, down-to-earth, and totally attentive. No star-like posturing, just genuine interest. You immediately got the feeling: She's not here because she has to be—she's here because she wants to be.

What surprised you about their appearance or behavior?

That everything was so direct. All communication took place without management—directly with her and Janek André. No intermediaries, no unnecessary effort. Both of them took care of everything themselves, were committed, committed, and consciously made extra time. Sarah even postponed other appointments to be with us longer. And she didn't want a fee—all the proceeds from our collaboration go to her own foundation. That's rare and says a lot about her attitude.

Was there a moment that particularly stuck in your memory?

Yes – a very emotional one. I was overwhelmed at that moment and burst into tears. And Sarah simply took my hand and held me. She was there, without saying much, simply human. The fact that she even remembered our previous email correspondence touched me deeply. I will never forget that closeness and authenticity.

What was it like working directly with her on a product?

It was truly inspiring. She had her own ideas, was open to our suggestions, thought along, empathized, and helped us develop. Janek was also fully involved the entire time. This wasn't a quick photo shoot, but a true collaborative effort – on equal terms and with a lot of heart.

Did the experience motivate you to become even more committed to the issue of orcas?

Absolutely. Sarah is not only a supporter with a wide reach, but also an activist herself. She lives what she says – with her foundation, with her own efforts, with genuine passion. That inspired me greatly. I'm grateful that we were able to do this collaboration – it has encouraged me once again to keep going and to remain vocal for the oceans, for the orcas, and for our shared planet.

From old networks to new meaning

And it was precisely this collaborative effort that left its mark – not only on us, but also on the products that were created that day.
Check out the Iberian Orca Guardians products here. €6 per bracelet and keychain sold goes directly to conservation and research projects of the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation.

🎧 Hear what happened behind the scenes with Ocean Crime

If you want to delve deeper into this day: In our current podcast episode , we talk about the foundation's origins, our impressions of the day with Sarah - and the mission of the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation.

There is exciting background information, honest conversations from the workshop and, of course, a few very special moments that you just have to hear.

We are grateful for this special day, for genuine encounters at eye level – and for the shared vision of protecting our oceans and the orcas.

Many thanks to Sarah and Janek!

written by Vera