Ocean literacy: a pillar in achieving a sustainable ocean future

What is Ocean Literacy?

At its most basic, Ocean Literacy is an understanding of the influence the ocean has on you and that you have on the ocean. Recently this definition has evolved to become the process where a society understands, values and cares for the ocean, and the related outcomes that come from that.

Ocean literacy has become a central component of many international frameworks and policy goals, guiding ocean and coastal management. In fact, in April 2024, the Barcelona Statement identified Ocean Literacy as a key and strategic mechanism to ensure the UN Ocean Decade succeeds.

As the field of research on ocean literacy is so rapidly evolving, it's important to take stock of progress so far and create an evidence-base for practitioners and policy-makers.

Researchers from Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform, Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, UNSW Canberra and Mosaic Insights have collated available evidence on ocean literacy to develop a comprehensive understanding of the field to-date and identify gaps in knowledge and directions for future research.