Ocean Science Communications are Key for Ocean Action

The ubiquitous pollution on land and at sea, the collapse of biodiversity, the acceleration of global warming, and “an ocean world deteriorating at an unprecedented rate”[1] call for strong awareness and are sirens for urgent action.

In light of the current crisis and the challenges posed by the lack of or delayed political action and by the increasing public denigration of scientists, it is crucial that scientific institutions maintain their efforts to inform, alert, and engage with society and political decision-makers. While the scientific evidence is well-established and proven, there is a widening gap between knowledge and action at a time when knowledge is sometimes perceived as militant in the public debate. It is therefore essential that scientists not only maintain their current level of communication and outreach activities but that they consider ways to enhance and intensify them.

It is also crucial that the scientific community continues to address misperceptions and deliberate disinformation. Fake news intentionally introduces errors to obfuscate public opinion, allowing ideology to infiltrate scientific discourse. Since science is increasingly dealing with complex phenomena and systems, be they natural or social, it often appears as too convoluted and nuanced for some to fully comprehend it, increasing the risk of scientific knowledge being perceived as mere opinions rather than factual information. There is thus a need to both improve the clarity of scientific communication and invest in the political, social, and media spheres to improve the general public's access to scientific facts and evidence, and to strengthen the collaboration between policy-makers, civil society and scientists. When science is misunderstood, it is undermined.

These issues are more than true when it comes to ocean science, which is characterized by the intrinsic complexity of the Ocean – Climate – Biodiversity nexus, by the fact that our earthward-looking society often overlooks or underestimates the fact that Ocean Health and maritime activities are vital for mankind. This communication outlines how IFREMER, France's only ocean-focused research institute, addresses these issues. IFREMER is indeed committed to demonstrating the value of ocean science as a driver of transformation. Fulfilling this ambition requires the mobilization of a broad spectrum of means and instruments.

[1] 1 IOC/UNESCO State of the Ocean Report 2024: https://www.ioc.unesco.org/en/stor2024