Public Ocean Perceptions Research
Public perceptions of the ocean influence the ways people connect with it and the choices they make in their daily lives. COLC conducts periodic public opinion surveys to understand societal perceptions of the ocean and to ensure our work continues to resonate with people in Canada. Insights from these surveys help us to understand what motivates people’s behaviour, what helps them take action, and what barriers might be in their way.
Public perceptions research also recognizes the importance of social and cultural contexts in shaping public attitudes and behaviours towards the ocean. It enables better integration of local knowledge and cultural values into marine conservation initiatives and policy frameworks.
Ocean & Society Survey
The Ocean & Society Survey (OSS) is a collaboratively designed global tool to better understand how people perceive, value, and interact with the ocean. By asking questions about what people know and how they feel about the ocean, the survey helps us to see patterns and changes in public attitudes and behaviours over time.
As data from different countries and regions is collected, the OSS creates a standard way of measuring the impacts of ocean literacy and ocean conservation initiatives on public understanding, empathy, and engagement. This tool is designed to support the interests of a wide range of users, such as: ocean researchers, communicators, educators, business leaders, and policy-makers.
The OSS is part of the larger effort to address Challenge 10 of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)