The Ocean Decade

By: Leah Robertson

​Scientists and conservationists around the globe did a collective jump for joy when the United Nations declared 2021-2030 to be the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development – the Ocean Decade for short. Now more than ever, we must work together to produce “the science we need for the ocean we want”. The ultimate goal is for scientists to work together fully support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.


The United Nation has a multitude of organizations that have a stake in ocean development and sustainability. From the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), these organizations all oversee unique aspects to managing our world ocean. Together, they work to benefit future generations of humankind.

Currently, global ocean science research is distributed unevenly. Some nations generate very low rates of scientific research compared to others, as shown in the photo below. Globally, ocean science only accounts for between 0.04% - 4% of total government research and expenditure. A goal of the Ocean Decade is to improve scientific capacity in regions which are presently limited in capability, as well as building up the amount of research worldwide. This global way of thinking is especially important, because even for landlocked countries the ocean is important for the health and survival of every person in the world.

Source: “The Decade in a Nutshell” https://www.oceandecade.org

For us at Back to the Sea Society, the Ocean Decade means better science and a continued effort towards ocean conservation. Throughout the year, and especially in the summers, we work to share our scientific knowledge with others. This is in the hopes that the more we know about the ocean, the more we will work to protect it. An Ocean Decade means more science than ever to share. We are excited to follow along in the developments and continue to make our own contributions to ocean literacy and education!
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Photo: The sign outside of our Touch Tank Hut

Want to learn more about the Ocean Decade? Check out this link!

Leah Robertson is excited to be going into the Ocean Decade. She has a BSc in Marine Biology from Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she found her passion for ocean literacy. She has been volunteering and working with the Back to the Sea Society in many capacities since its inception and is so excited for a permanent collect and release aquarium in her home province of Nova Scotia.