Short- to mid-term strategies
We suggest two strategies that should be implemented in the short- to
mid-term that broadly relate to building knowledge, capacity and a sense
of responsibility, that will help underpin marine citizenship (first
half of the UN Decade of Ocean Science; Figure 3). First, ‘science and
health communication’ should be up scaled and improved through a broad
range of education and awareness-raising programs. These programs could
range from, for example, formal training initiatives focused on
improving ocean literacy among different stakeholder groups through to
targeted public health programs (Box 3 Case Study 1). Improving ocean
literacy should also include scientists and managers who are currently
involved in the ocean sciences and be extended particularly to include
non-traditional methods of engagements such as the visual and performing
arts. The 2020 global COVID-19 experience may provide some initial
insight into how alternative ways of communicating and interacting could
be harnessed (in the absence of physical exposure). A greater focus on
human health in marine science would seem pertinent in making the
necessary transformations required to improve environmental health, and
can be particularly mobilising in individualistic cultures prior to the
widespread development of social capital. Irrespective of the approach
used, for science and health communication to be improved to the extent
required for achieving the desired pathway it is critical to move beyond
simple knowledge-deficit models as is largely the case at present.
Instead, science and health communication should focus on better
understanding the values, beliefs and worldviews held among society so
as to develop more salient, and thus effective, communication campaigns
that can elicit necessary behavioural responses.
The second strategy involves what is commonly referred to as ‘knowledge
exchange’, which focuses on the two-way exchange of knowledge among
different stakeholders (Cvitanovic et al. 2015) (Box 3 Case Study 2).
Underpinning knowledge exchange efforts are strong relationships and
networks among key stakeholders founded upon mutual trust and respect,
which enhances the flow of information, and increases the likelihood
that it will be beneficially incorporated into decision-making processes
(either at the individual or collective level) (Cvitanovic et al. 2016).
When done successfully, knowledge exchange is linked to social learning
and capacity development across individual and organisational levels,
both of which underpin transformational change in pursuit of desired
outcomes (Cvitanovic et al. 2018).
Actions falling under the ‘science and health communication’ and
‘knowledge exchange’ strategies make up 57% (44% and 13%
respectively) of the total number of actions we propose. This is not
necessarily an indication of the relative importance of marine
stewardship to guide us towards the ‘Living & Connecting’ scenario but
is perhaps an indication that there are many different actions that can
be implemented almost immediately (or at least in the medium term)
related to communication and knowledge exchange. It does, however,
highlight the central role and importance of knowledge for optimal ocean
and human health outcomes.