What is Ocean Literacy?

Despite its immense importance, there is an overwhelming lack of understanding of the ocean’s significance and its impact on our lives. This is where ocean literacy comes into play.

The concept of ocean literacy was first introduced in the early 2000s by a team of marine scientists and educators in the United States in response to the observed lack of ocean knowledge in educational institutions. Recognizing the need for a structured approach, they formulated a comprehensive framework to advocate for the integration of marine sciences into formal education. The essence of ocean literacy lies in the understanding of the influence the ocean has on us and the influence we have on the ocean.  

To better illustrate the need for ocean literacy, I like to refer to prochlorococcus, the smallest photosynthetic organism on the planet that produces 20% of the oxygen in the biosphere. Did you learn about it in school? I did not.

Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean

Ocean Literacy: Understanding the Ocean, Our Lifeline 

Ocean literacy isn’t just about memorizing facts about marine ecosystems or understanding ocean currents. It’s about developing a comprehensive understanding of the ocean’s significance to our planet and our lives. It’s about recognizing the ocean as our lifeblood, a source of food, transportation, oxygen, and climate regulation.  

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines an ocean-literate person as one who “understands the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts about the ocean, can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way, is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.

The 7 Essential Principles of Ocean Sciences are:

10 Dimensions of Ocean Literacy

While the 7 principles of ocean science present a solid foundation for strengthening ocean literacy, the concept has evolved in recent years from a knowledge-based approach to a more holistic approach, one that takes into consideration the active participation and engagement in ocean matters across audiences, as well as the emotional connection and a multiple other level of ocean literacy.  

Here is an overview of the 10 dimensions of ocean literacy that redefine the concept and go beyond simply having knowledge and understanding the principles:

1. Knowledge

What a person knows about an ocean-related topic and the links between topics. It also refers to the knowledge a person has about ocean decision-making, opportunities to participate and engage in ocean decisions, and access to information on ocean issues.

2. Awareness

The basic understanding that a situation, problem, or concept exists, along with knowledge of potential behaviors and solutions that may exist to address these problems, and how these can lead to policy and societal change.

3. Attitude

The level of agreement with, or concern for, a particular position. It also includes consideration of perceptions, values, and views towards an ocean issue, and how these can lead to policy and societal change.

4. Behavior

Decisions, choices, actions, and habits with respect to ocean-related issues made by individuals, sector and policy actors, and institutions, with an intention to bring about whole system change.

5. Activism

The degree to which a person engages in a wide range of activities such as campaigning (social media, attending public rallies, or writing to elected officials) to drive policy, attitude, and behaviour change. One must also consider who gets to participate in activism and what the barriers are.

6. Communication

1. The extent to which a person communicates with others, such as family and peer groups, on ocean-related topics.
2. How and where people get information on ocean issues and what the most effective communication methods are.
3. How institutions and organizations are communicating to different audiences about ocean issues.

7. Emotional Connections

How a person feels and emotionally responds when they think about, are near the ocean, or consider issues related to the ocean, coasts, and seas. Emotions can be positive, negative, or neutral, and all contribute to behaviour change.

8. Access and Experience

A person’s real or artificial (for example, through virtual reality) interaction with the ocean, and the various ways in which they can access these experiences. Barriers to ocean access and experiences should also be considered.

9. Adaptive Capacity

An individual’s capacity to adapt and respond to changing conditions related to the ocean (for example, climate change, change in ocean ecosystems and economies).

10. Trust and Transparency

The level of trust a person places in ocean information sources and their perception of how transparent information and associated platforms are.

It’s crucial to mention that depending on the country and the culture, ocean literacy can have multiple interpretations. Historical, geographic, and societal factors shape people’s perceptions and experiences with the ocean. People who live in landlocked countries may have a more abstract understanding of the ocean, relying on scientific knowledge and storytelling to connect with it, unlike coastal societies that have direct exposure to the ocean, fostering a more personal connection and a greater emphasis on environmental stewardship.

Organizations like EU4Ocean Coalition and IOC UNESCO work on bridging that gap between different societies and fostering change by strengthening the level of ocean literacy across communities contributing to the sustainable management of the ocean.