Analyzing initiatives with transformative potential for the oceans and people

This study develops the first comprehensive collection and organization of scientific and traditional knowledge aimed at transforming the uses of the oceans towards ecological sustainability and social equity in Galicia (NW Spain). By developing a new protocol to collect, systematize and analyze initiatives with transformative potential in the oceans, we identify three key dimensions to guide transformative knowledge: practices, institutional structures, and values. The paper analyzes the state of knowledge of these initiatives and how they are able to promote an improvement of the oceanic scientific culture and social well-being. The initiatives include a wide range of ocean activities such as small-scale fisheries, shellfishing activities and aquaculture. Our results suggest that the generation and dissemination of scientific and traditional knowledge can be a necessary but not sufficient factor to generate positive outcomes of the initiatives on environmental sustainability and social equity.