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Ocean Literacy Principles
About
The principles were developed in 2004 through an international community-wide consultation, with agreement with hundreds of scientists, educators and policy makers. The aim is that every human being should understand basic principles about the ocean creating an ‘ocean-literate’ society.
Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean.
Although the Australian population mainly reside in coastal cities and towns, it is safe to say that most Australian citizens are unaware of the importance of the ocean in their lives and are not “ocean literate”.
The ocean covers over 70% of our planet’s surface. Australia’s ocean territory (200 nautical miles) is greater than its landmass. It’s essential that our communities learn about and understand that most of life on earth and our own future is inextricably linked to the health of the ocean.
An ocean-literate person:
understands the essential principles and fundamental concepts about the ocean; can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.
A IOC-UNESCO target is that “by 2025, schools across the world have access to high-quality Ocean Literacy educational resources in their own language.”
Helping Australians become literate about our ocean revolves around concepts identified within the principles of Ocean Literacy. There are seven Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy comprising 45 Fundamental Concepts.