Ocean Literacy has been positioned as a key mechanism for change and central to achieving the goals set out by the UN Ocean Decade’s Ten Challenges. In the UK recent years have seen Ocean Literacy increasingly at the forefront of discussions about Ocean and coastal management, governance and research priorities.
In recent years, Canada and Wales have launched their own National Ocean Literacy Strategies. Both are supported by central government and aim to grow people’s relationship with our coasts and seas, through strategic goals linked to education, accessibility and pro-Ocean behaviour change at all levels of society.
Now it is time for England to begin the process!
Early this year, a series of workshops were held both digitally and in-person in Cornwall and Merseyside that were designed to co-develop an Ocean Literacy strategy for England.
Drawing on the results from the 2022 UK wide Ocean Literacy assessment as well as outputs from the Diverse Marine Values project, these workshops were co-organised by the Diverse Marine Values project, Defra and ourselves at the OCT. Our Head of Ocean Advocacy and Engagement, Nicola Bridge facilitated the workshops lead by Dr Emma McKinley. They began to map existing Ocean Literacy activities and initiatives across England, identifying current gaps and barriers and highlighting opportunities and priorities for the development of a co-designed strategy.
Data from the workshops is now being analysed and there is chance for you to participate!
If you or your organisation is involved in Ocean education, engagement and connection in any way (in England), we would love to hear from you. You can complete this form and the information you provide will help us to build a map of where, what and who is driving Ocean Literacy in England.
Later on in the year, follow up sessions will be held, so if you would like to find out more, please email info@oceanconservationtrust.org .
