The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation has called on the public to share their understanding and experience of the ocean to help them with an important research project.
South Africa (19 May 2023) – What do you feel when you think about the ocean? When last did you visit the ocean? What do you think are some of the biggest threats facing the ocean?
These are some of the questions which researchers want South Africans to answer as part of the Ocean Connections Survey, a research project through Cardiff University, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, and funded by The British Academy.
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is asking South Africans to share their understanding and experience of the ocean by completing the Ocean Connections survey – follow the link here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/OLinSouthAfrica.
“Through this survey, we want to understand how people use, experience and value the marine environment around South Africa. Recent years have seen a growing awareness of how understanding people’s relationship with the ocean can help us to achieve sustainable ocean governance for the future,” said Dr Judy Mann, Executive-Strategic Projects for the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.
“While we are using the term ‘ocean connections’ for the survey, we are interested in exploring ocean literacy as it is referred to internationally. Ocean literacy refers to “an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you – and your influence on the ocean,” explained Dr Mann.
“To ensure a broad contribution of ocean experiences, we especially encourage those who are not necessarily involved ocean work or who hail from inland regions of South Africa to participate. Make your voice heard and become a champion for solutions to the ocean’s most pressing problems” said Dr Mann.
The Ocean Connections Survey is one tool amongst many being developed by the South African Ocean Literacy Network to enable the foundation to truly understand multiple ocean experiences across cultures, geographies, age groups and identities. It aims to inform their way forward in the development of ocean literacy initiatives on the African continent.
Ocean Literacy for Africa Roadmap
With Africa’s coastline stretching over 30 000 kilometres, it is not surprising that those working on growing Africa’s Ocean Literacy believe that “the ocean holds the keys to an equitable and sustainable planet.” Taking up the UN Ocean Decade call to join “the revolution to unlock innovative ocean science”, the Ocean Literacy for South Africa project was developed as part of the Africa Roadmap to the Future.
Prioritising the value of the connection between people and the sea, the project will build on the emerging global ocean literacy research community, identifying a forward-looking research agenda for ocean literacy, specifically in an African context. It will foster a network for collaboration, cooperation, and capacity-building related to ocean literacy and connections. This embodies the Africa Roadmap’s goal of bringing together ocean science and indigenous knowledge to build a more equitable knowledge base, for a sustainable and prosperous future for Africa.
Related Story
by 