Indeed, many funding opportunities in the ocean conservation sector tend to be geared towards providing opportunities for established organizations or entities aligned with the status quo. Compared to the development of human rights sectors, less funding is made available for grass-root movements or solution-based start-ups in the ocean realm, especially in economically developing countries.

The issue of the limited type of funding in the ocean realm extends to innovative technologies as well, as these face significant barriers, including “debilitating start-up capital costs, regulatory constraints and lack of clear revenue streams,” according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development—an intergovernmental organization. According to Ocean Panel Blue Paper: the Technology, Data and New Models for Sustainably Managing Ocean Resource, published in 2020, technological innovation has largely been driven by government and large-scale commercial interest, whilst small markets have often led to “hyper-specific solutions that lack commercial applicability, creating an environment of technology lock.”

As we look to the future, funders that make space for a seed funding model in their portfolios to support smaller-scale and innovative projects within the ocean conservation and management sectors will play a vital role in supporting those at the forefront of innovative solutions for the complex problems facing our oceans, especially in economically developing coastal countries.

One such key stakeholder group which requires more tailored funding is youth groups in the conservation area, which includes young activists, early-career scientists, interns, and all those starting off in their careers or active citizen engagement. Much has been written about engaging the youth, when in fact, most youth-based activists are engaging other youth in evolving and creative ways via social media platforms or in-person. It would be wiser to ask whether imposing outdated information exchange models such as long emails, generic petitions, overly formal Zoom calls on these important future conservation leaders may result in a lack of inspiration, especially against the current backdrop of the increasingly short bandwidth span for information gathering.

Are we ready for a new ocean conservation communication paradigm?

Time will tell if the increased use and reliance on online communication platforms by stakeholders during the pandemic crisis has either contributed to building more bridges with grass-root stakeholders or taken us a few steps back. In economically developing countries, a lack of access to these platforms coupled with poor or unsteady satellite-based communications or internet bandwidth may further marginalize certain voices, which is why relying on online communication platforms alone won’t solve the issue of inclusion and diversity during consultation processes, or replace the need for empowering locally-based actors, peer-to-peer based learning model, and informal interactions for building trust.

Focusing on youth groups, advances in online communication technologies, or increasing gender parity are not silver bullets, especially when singled out as part of a solution-based approach.

Instead, they need to come together through learning networks that integrate those working in different disciplines—referred to as the transdisciplinary approach in academic circles—which is more likely to contribute to effective, ecosystem-based ocean management. 

A study titled Marine-Related Learning Networks: Shifting the Paradigm Toward Collaborative Ocean Governance published in 2020 is the first academic research paper that examines the multifaceted and evolving roles marine-related learning networks play within rapidly evolving ocean governance systems. The findings indicate that these networks not only form in response to knowledge and action gaps but also function to inform policy and improve ocean management (Dalton et al., 2020). They are uniquely positioned to act as “catalyzers and conduits to build capacity and develop solutions in response to governance needs through inclusive and collaborative responses to ongoing and emerging marine issues” (Dalton et al., 2020). However, the study also highlights that “too often, they rely on one-size-fits-all management prescriptions and top-down, mono-disciplinary governance approaches, which fall short in addressing complex, transboundary ocean issues” (Ostrom 2007 as cited by Dalton et al., 2020). 

The in-depth study presents a wide-reaching first look at the general role of marine-related learning networks in ocean governance across many contexts. As it compares the success of marine learning networks rooted in dynamic and inclusive participation over long periods to some of the more static traditional ocean governance structures, “which often fail to adapt or consider the changing needs of local communities,” (Lemos and Agrawal, 2006; Young et al., 2007; Cárcamo et al., 2014; Tschirhart et al., 2016 as cited by Dalton et al., 2020) it defines the hallmarks of success as “having a distinct purpose, building trust and relationships, emphasizing equitable participation, and supporting clear, sustained leadership” (Dalton et al., 2020). 

If marine networks can be successful in tackling issues, is the answer to simply create more of them in more countries?  

According to Dalton et al, the answer is no (2020), “since networks are not immune to external influences, including the agendas of funding entities, political turbulence, and ideological shifts” (Gerhardinger et al., 2018 as cited by Dalton et al., 2020). Instead, the research stresses that marine “learning networks are most effective when they are developed in response to identified needs of marine managers, resource users, governments, resource users, activists or other communities” (Dalton et al., 2020). The study also highlights “bringing people together in inclusive environments to share knowledge with one another and develop trust, effectively building their capacity to inform policy and improve management” (Dalton et al., 2020).