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.