FILM: Understanding "marine identity" can restore society's relationship with the ocean

New research suggests that understanding people's deep connection to the ocean - their "marine identity" - can help us change society's relationship with the ocean.

A diverse, international group of marine scientists and professionals worked together to define marine identity - based on testimonies and images from multiple countries.

Pamela Buchan from the University of Exeter led the group, which included participants from Europe, Africa, Indonesia, North America and Australasia. Liz Morris-Webb, Senior Research Fellow at Nordland Research Institute , specializes in the relationship between humans and nature, as well as ocean literacy, and was also part of the group.

"Ocean literacy" is a term that does not yet exist in Norwegian. It is characterized by the understanding of how the ocean affects individuals and how individuals affect the ocean.

“Over the past two years, I have been fortunate to work with international marine scientists and professionals to create the first definition of marine identity, an identity rooted in how the ocean as a place supports a sense of self,” says Morris-Webb.

The article draws on theoretical frameworks from different research disciplines and their global experiences working with coastal and inland communities to find common ground on how marine environments shape people's identities. The researchers found many, including traditions and customs, dependence on the ocean for recreation, livelihoods, health and nutrition. They also found differences, such as negative ways in which the ocean can be a part of identity - especially for those whose communities and livelihoods are exposed to extreme weather.

Recognizing different types of marine identities is essential to improving marine citizenship, informing decision-makers on how to protect marine identities, and promoting healthy transitions along the coast and for a changing ocean.

“Across the world, the ocean is a shared resource that most people have some connection to or opinion about. Many feelings are positive, while others are negative. How people identify with an ocean area can influence their behavior towards it, such as how they protect it or support its restoration,” says Morris-Webb.

The group agreed on a broad definition of marine identity: “An identity rooted in how the ocean as a place supports a sense of self.” This is the first time an international, cross-cultural definition of marine identity has been agreed upon. By helping to define and raise awareness of the term, the researchers hope to promote “marine citizenship” – people exercising their right to participate in decision-making processes for the ocean and taking responsibility for it.

“The ocean is the planet’s lifeblood, and it governs climate through complex but fragile oceanographic processes. However, the ocean is threatened by many changing climatic and human stressors. People increasingly need to recognize what the ocean does for us, and how we all – from individuals to industry and governments – can do our part to protect it,” says Morris-Webb.

Dr. Pamela Buchan is RESEARCHER I marine social sciences at the University of Exeter and leader of the group that defined marine identity. She sums up the situation as follows: “Challenge 10 of the UN Decade of Ocean Research for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) requires us to restore society’s relationship with the ocean. We know that identity drives people more than values ​​– and that people respond to threats to their sense of self. Therefore, marine identity can be of great importance in protecting and restoring the ocean.”

The article, published in People and Nature, is entitled: “A transdisciplinary co-conceptualisation of marine identity”. The project is supported by the UN Decade of Ocean Research for Sustainable Development and the EU Mission Ocean & Waters . This is not the first time our researchers have contributed to the UN Decade of Ocean Research. The EmpowerUs and Prep4Blue projects worked together to contribute to Challenge 9 of the Ocean Decade: “Skills, knowledge, technology and participatory decision-making for all”, and you can read about their other contributions here.