Our oceans’ health and sustainability are paramount for our planet’s future. This is particularly true for African countries, where the blue economy, specifically aquaculture, plays a critical role in food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. In this context, fostering ocean literacy among the younger generations is not just an educational imperative but a strategic necessity.

The AIR Centre, in the frame of the EU project ASTRAL, leads the task on Social Awareness on “seafood of the future”, developing educational materials and promoting school campaigns and ocean literacy in Atlantic countries.

Thanks to the strong collaboration with NIOMR – Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, ocean literacy campaigns have been carried out in 59 schools across three states in Nigeria (Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo) and more than 2.900 students have been engaged in seafood literacy in the last four years.

Celebration of the School Campaign ‘Children’s day fiesta 2024´at NIOMR Lagos on May 27th, 2024.

Investing in ocean literacy for young generations is a critical step towards promoting sustainable aquaculture in African countries. It ensures a well-informed, responsible, and innovative future workforce capable of balancing economic development needs with the imperative of environmental conservation. As such, it is essential for educational institutions, policymakers, and community leaders to prioritise and promote ocean literacy, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future.

We call upon educational institutions, non-governmental organisations, governments, and international bodies to collaborate in integrating ocean literacy into curricula and community programs. Together, we can empower the next generation to lead towards sustainable aquaculture and a healthier, more resilient ocean.

By prioritising ocean literacy today, we invest in a sustainable tomorrow.

Contact:

Natalia Ospina-Alvarez

natalia.ospina@aircentre.org