Enhancing the science-society-policy interface through ocean literacy with and for all

The ocean science, society, and policy interface represents a crucial collaboration where transdisciplinary research on ocean ecosystems and climate impacts shapes policies to manage and protect ocean resources. This synergy ensures that societal needs—ranging from economic reliance on fisheries to cultural and recreational values—are integrated into policy-making processes. Essential components include robust communication and public involvement, nurturing a society committed to ocean health. Comprehending human-ocean interactions requires appreciating the ocean in terms of its biophysical, cultural, social, intrinsic and economic value, alongside local and Indigenous knowledge, all connected to global social wellbeing. Consequently, critical ocean literacy empowers communities to make informed choices and champion sustainability. This collaboration supports adaptive management strategies that integrate new scientific findings, ensuring sustainable ocean use, conservation for future generations, and cohabitation with ocean life forms. This synergy enables adaptive management strategies that evolve with new scientific discoveries, ensuring sustainable ocean use and conservation for future generations. This presentation will illustrare how establishing cross-sectorial, national and cross-national partnerships to advocate for governance structures that  prioritize health of both humans and the ocean and that also address underlying political, economic, and ethical causes of planetary crisis will support the creation of effective science-society-policy interfaces