Our future ocean needs strengthened marine science communication


Photo: VLIZ | Jan Seys

These are the main conclusions from a survey among 80 European experts, 1861 students and 23 European Marine Board Member organizations. Over the coming decade, marine science communication will become critical to achieve a more Ocean literate and sustainable society. “Knowing and understanding the Ocean’s influence on us, and our influence on the Ocean is crucial to living and acting sustainably. By sharing the world’s Ocean knowledge, we are committed to building a global Ocean movement to protect the planet on which we live”, recalls Jan Seys, spokesperson of the Flanders Marine Institute and coordinating author.

The Future Science Brief ‘Marine Science Communication in Europe: a way forward’, published by the European Marine Board, highlights four main priority actions:
  1. Marine science communicators should stick to the facts but also promote positive stories about the Ocean and highlight the added value of Ocean science to society;
  2. Ocean research institutions and funders need to further acknowledge, value and strengthen their science communication efforts with additional funding and human resources (at least 10% of their staff time);
  3. Connections with communicators in other domains should be enhanced, dedicated training programs need to be further developed and new technologies and approaches to reach the wider public should be stimulated;
  4. Collaboration under the umbrella of the UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and waters, is highly recommended.
The results of the study will be discussed in more detail during thé marine science communication conference CommOCEAN 2022, which will take place in Sète from 30 November to 1 December 2022.

Download the Future Science Brief No. 8 and additional materials from the European Marine Board website: