The Case For Collaboration To Foster Global Ocean Literacy Frontiers in Marine Science

The development of the definition of ocean literacy—an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean—and the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts (Carley et al., 2013), was a collaborative effort of formal and informal educators, scientists, government professionals, and others interested in defining what everyone should know about the ocean (Cava et al., 2005). Many people involved in the initial effort were and are members of the US-based National Marine Educators Association (NMEA). This commentary highlights the role NMEA plays in fostering international ocean literacy networks, how the networks have supported ocean literacy, and a call for all organizations to work together to champion global ocean literacy for a sustainable future.