Mediterranean Sea Literacy: When Ocean Literacy becomes region-specific


Published: Oct 1, 2020
Keywords:
Ocean Literacy Mediterranean Sea Literacy Environmental Εducation Sustainable Development Goal 14 Mediterranean Sea.
MELITA MOKOS
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9152-4971
MARIA TH. CHEIMONOPOULOU
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2933-3285
PANAYOTA KOULOURI
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3418-7980
MONICA PREVIATI
GIULIA REALDON
FRANCESCA SANTORO
ATHANASIOS MOGIAS
THEODORA BOUBONARI
MANEL GAZO
ALESSIO SATTA
CHRISTOS IOAKEIMIDIS
ALBA TOJEIRO
CARLA A. CHICOTE
MARTHA PAPATHANASSIOU
THEODOROS KEVREKIDIS
Abstract

Ocean Literacy (OL) has been defined as an understanding of the ocean’s influence on people and their influence on the ocean. The OL movement was born in the US and its framework consisted of seven essential principles and 45 fundamental concepts; it is now largely accepted worldwide for use in both formal (schools and universities) and non-formal (research institutes, aquaria, museums, etc.) education settings. Based on this framework, marine scientists and educators developed the “Mediterranean Sea Literacy” (MSL) guide adapted to the specificities of the Mediterranean region, presented here. The MSL principles (7) and concepts (43), serving as guidance for research, education, informed decision-making, and improved citizens’ lifestyles, aim to contribute to environmental protection, conservation, and restoration of the Mediterranean Sea as well as to help to achieve a blue innovative and sustainable economy.

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