Shifting the narrative from "sea-blindness" to a positive, action-oriented movement that empowers societies to understand, value, and protect our ocean.
The concept of "sea-blindness"—a perceived lack of public and policymaker awareness regarding the ocean's importance—has long challenged the maritime community. However, this framing is increasingly recognized as outdated and counterproductive.
"Sea-blindness is negative in outlook, pessimistic in tone, and offers no positivist vision of why the maritime is important."
The solution lies in embracing Ocean Literacy—a positive, holistic framework recognized by UNESCO and international policy bodies. Ocean literacy promotes understanding of how the maritime influences societies and how societies influence the maritime.
An ocean-literate individual understands the ocean's interconnection with all Earth systems
Recognizes human impacts such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Understands the ocean's role in climate regulation and biodiversity.
Extends beyond environmental awareness to encompass the economic, social, and security dimensions of maritime activity—food, medicine, transport, and culture.
Aims to inspire actions toward ocean sustainability. Builds the political and social will necessary for effective ocean governance and conservation.
Integrates indigenous, traditional, and local knowledge. Promotes inclusion of ocean sciences in national and state-standard education systems.
The Global Maritime Accord Academy (GMAA) is uniquely positioned to lead this global shift. With its interdisciplinary faculty of oceanographers, lawyers, environmentalists, diplomats, and naval security experts, the GMAA can develop accessible educational content tailored for policymakers, media, and the public.
Concise briefings and webinars explaining how ocean health underpins food security, trade, climate stability, and national security.
Building the political and social will necessary for ocean governance. Empowering citizens to become ocean stewards.
Webinar series on "Oceans 2026 – Actions to Protect the Deep Ocean" and "Plastics and Overfishing – Key challenges for ocean health."
"Ocean Literacy as a concept and approach is evolving rapidly, moving from a tool applied mainly in formal education and training contexts to one that engages society as a whole, aiming to inspire actions toward ocean sustainability."
— UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Building a comprehensive framework for ocean awareness
Integration of ocean sciences into national and state-standard curricula
Media campaigns, community outreach, and public awareness initiatives
Embedding ocean literacy in policy development and governance frameworks
Involving communities in ocean governance and decision-making processes
An increasing number of stressors—pollution, overfishing, and climate change—are endangering our oceans. Together, these stressors show the urgent need for better knowledge of the ocean and sustainable marine environment management.
One of the most frequent causes of conservation failure is ignoring the human and social aspects of the ocean, underscoring the pressing need for initiatives that improve people's awareness of, connection to, and pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours toward the ocean.
Ocean literacy is guiding us toward a sustainable future. It gives us the ability to comprehend the risks, make connections, and take significant action.
Every action we take to conserve the ocean directly affects human security in the future. This is not only an issue of environmental stewardship but also one of intergenerational justice.
"If people don't know about the ocean, how can they protect it?"
Democratizing access to expert knowledge on ocean governance
Addressing critical challenges including deep-sea protection, fighting the plastics scourge, and ending overfishing.
Examining the impact of plastic pollution and unsustainable fishing practices on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
Become an ocean-literate citizen. Understand the interconnection between ocean health and human security. Take action for a sustainable future.