Abstract

Globally, the tropics are home to most of the world’s biodiversity and to most of the people whose cultures and livelihoods are closely tied to and depend on healthy marine environments. We call this majority of directly ocean-dependent people the ‘tropical majority’. Despite the important local ocean-specific science, perspectives, and knowledge held by the tropical majority; most funding, governance, and education institutions are in high-income nations outside of the tropics. Unfortunately, this undermines the equity and effectiveness of current solutions to pressing marine environmental challenges and hinders leadership opportunities by the tropical majority. To counter this imbalance and achieve more equitable and effective ocean futures for people and nature, during my talk I will propose and discuss four tangible actions that can influence a vision for more sustainable fisheries: 1. Center equity in ocean governance, 2. Reconnect people and the ocean, 3. Redefine ocean literacy, and 4. Decolonize ocean science (inclusive of social and natural sciences).

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