Where does ocean knowledge get lost, and what prevents it from changing decisions?
The ocean is becoming more visible and measurable than ever. Advances in scientific exploration, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, data visualization and immersive media are revealing new information about biodiversity, fisheries, deep-sea habitats, ocean health and the relationship between marine systems and human well-being.
Yet greater visibility does not automatically lead to better decisions.
Ocean knowledge often fails to influence policy, investment and business because it is not designed around the needs of the people expected to use it. The evidence may be scientifically credible, but presented in the wrong format. It may reach decision-makers after the relevant window has passed, or without a clear pathway through which they can act.
Different audiences also require different forms of knowledge. Policymakers need evidence that can inform regulation, planning and public investment. Investors and funders need credible signals of risk, value and measurable impact. Businesses need insight that can shape strategy and operations. Wider audiences need accessible narratives that connect ocean systems to their lives and create support for action.
This session will explore what makes ocean knowledge decision-ready. Through practical case studies, contributors from science, policy, storytelling and capital will examine what information different decision-makers require, how it should be translated and when it must reach them.
Structured audience participation will bring additional perspectives from the room into each case study, helping identify where current approaches succeed, where they fail and what must change for ocean knowledge to support real-world decisions.
