Call for Input – Response to EU Ocean Pact
The European Union has recently launched the Ocean Pact, with the Ocean Act to follow. Together, these initiatives mark a significant shift: from fragmented ocean-related actions towards a strategic, long-term vision for Europe’s ocean future.
As the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA), our community operates at a critical interface between science, education and society. Ocean literacy is no longer a peripheral activity — it is increasingly recognised as a foundational condition for effective ocean governance, a skilled blue workforce, strong research and innovation, and informed public decision-making.
In the coming months, EMSEA has been invited to contribute to this discussion at European level during the following events:
- EU Ocean Days, 2 March 2026, Brussels, Belgium
- Transformative Ocean Science - The Ocean Pact in Action, 24-27 March 2026, Venice, Italy
- All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Forum, 15–16 April 2026 , Salvador, Brazil
We warmly encourage participation from across the EMSEA community — across regions, roles, and levels of experience. Your perspective helps ensure that ocean literacy is recognised not as an add-on, but as a strategic enabler for Europe’s ocean future.
How to contribute
To ensure our messages genuinely reflect the collective expertise and experience of the EMSEA community, we invite practitioners, researchers, educators and communicators to share their perspectives on:
Blue Skills & Blue Schools
What should European decision-makers understand about the role of ocean literacy in education systems, skills agendas, and future-proofing Europe’s blue workforce?
Research, Innovation & Public Trust
How does ocean literacy contribute to keeping marine research understandable, credible, and fundable — and what are the risks if this link is weak?
Moreover, we are inviting your input on the following questions:
1. Where are we now?
How would you describe the current state of ocean literacy in Europe?
(Think of strengths, gaps, fragmentation, structural barriers, or progress that matters at system level.)
2. Where do we need to go?
What should ocean literacy enable over the next 5–10 years?
(For example in relation to education, skills, workforce development, research–society connections, policy uptake, or societal resilience.)
3. What needs to change at policy level?
Which policy shifts are needed to move from projects and pilots towards sustained, structural impact?
Practical guidance
Contributions can be short and focused (maximum ±300 words).
Please prioritise messages you would want European policymakers or research funders to hear.
Input will be synthesised; selected insights may be quoted (with attribution where agreed).
How your input will be used
Your contributions will inform:
- EMSEA’s messages at European-level keynote interventions
- a consolidated EMSEA narrative on ocean literacy in the context of the Ocean Pact and Ocean Act
- follow-up dialogue with policymakers, research actors, and partner networks
How to contribute
SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVES HERE