has been defined as “understanding of the ocean’s influence on people and their influence on the ocean”. Ocean Literacy is not only about increasing awareness of the state of the ocean, but also about providing tools to transform ocean knowledge into action. Ocean knowledge should serve as the engine to drive a change in human behaviors to achieve ocean sustainability.
Many people are not fully aware of the intrinsic connection to the ocean, or there is a misconception that the ocean only affects those that are living near the coastal areas. Ocean Literacy is intended as a tool to counteract this lack of awareness, and to promote the use of ocean knowledge in day-to-day actions, with the final aim of supporting informed decisions.
Since its initial formulation, the Ocean Literacy concept has evolved, and from being only used in school it is now contemplated as an educational approach for the whole society, from citizens to the private sectors to the policy makers.
