What does it really mean to understand our oceans? Ocean Literacy goes beyond education: it connects research, citizens, and global collaboration, turning knowledge into action. With this spirit in mind, earlier this September, SUBMON quite literally crossed the Atlantic. Juanita Zorrilla, biologist and project manager at SUBMON, travelled to Fortaleza, Brazil, to take part as an invited expert in the 8th Austral Spring School, held from 1–5 September.
Hosted by the Institute of Marine Sciences (LABOMAR, Federal University of Ceará) and funded by MAF World COST Action, the Spring School brought together researchers, students, and practitioners from across the globe. Over five days, participants exchanged ideas, built skills, and explored together the future challenges of Marine Animal Forests, with a specific focus on restoration. Beyond knowledge exchange, it provided a space to strengthen scientific partnerships between Latin American and European researchers, bringing together expertise from both regions to tackle growing environmental challenges.
Juanita’s contribution placed the spotlight on Ocean Literacy, not just as an educational tool, but as a bridge between science and society. She engaged with the attendees on the principles and dimensions of Ocean Literacy, exploring how these can be integrated into marine restoration processes. By doing so, she highlighted how Ocean Literacy, and science communication are essential elements to foster a behaviour change in different domains, ensuring that research goes beyond the laboratory to involve communities, foster citizen participation, support the sustainable management of our oceans, and ultimately foster responsible decision-making.
The Austral Spring School offered a unique opportunity to dive into the ecological, biogeochemical, and conservation roles of Marine Animal Forests. Through lectures, discussions, and collaborative sessions, participants explored strategies for the regeneration of these ecosystems.
Juanita engaged attendees not only on the principles of Ocean Literacy, but also on how these concepts can guide practical restoration efforts. One of the highlights, she recalls, was the visit of Inácio Arruda, Brazil’s Secretary of Science and Technology for Social Development (SEDE), who underlined the importance of Ocean Literacy in formal education to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. “It was a privilege to have him with us, as one of the key advocates of the Blue Curriculum in Brazil. It is, in many ways, the country’s way of turning to the sea,” Juanita explains.
She also stressed that science is essential to deepen our understanding of the ocean and its functioning, but it cannot remain within scientific circles. “Science needs to be understood by everyone, not just scientists, if we want to make real progress in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Ocean Literacy is not just about knowledge, it is also about action. And that includes making responsible decisions, such as when we are called to choose the leaders who will shape the future of our oceans,” she concluded.
The Austral Spring School once again proved the value of international exchange: bridges of knowledge that cross oceans, connect people, and spark new ideas for the future of marine conservation and collaborative research.
