Ocean literacy – for better decisions

Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you – and your influence on the ocean.

The ocean is a source of life. It provides oxygen, food, jobs and wellbeing.

Half of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean. Much of the protein we eat come from the ocean.

7 Principles of Ocean Literacy

1. The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth.
3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.
4. The ocean makes Earth habitable.
5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
7. The ocean is largely unexplored.

Ocean is vital to economy and wellbeing

• 350 million jobs are linked to fisheries and aquaculture
• 80 percent of global trade is transported by sea
• 1 billion people depend on fish as their primary source of protein

In addition, 10 percent of all jobs around the world are linked to tourism, and quite a big share of all tourism is dependent on the ocean.