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CommOCEAN 2024
An opportunity for Race for Water
Foundation 23 January 2025

CommOCEAN 2024: Reinventing scientific communication to protect the ocean

On 26 and 27 November 2024, the Málaga Oceanography Centre (IEO-CSIC) hosted the sixth edition of CommOCEAN, an international conference dedicated to marine science communication. The event brought together experts in marine science, communication and the media to discuss the challenges and effective strategies for raising awareness of ocean issues.

A rich and inspiring programme

One of the highlights of CommOCEAN 2024 was the round table entitled ‘Bridging Science and Media: What’s Needed for Success?’, which offered a captivating debate on the challenges and tips for successful environmental communication. Moderated by Chantal Menard (IUCN-Med), the discussion brought together experts such as :

Manfred Oepen, IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)
Denis Loctier, Euronews OCEAN programme
Rehab Abdalmohsen, science, environment and health journalist (Egypt)
Xavier Aldekoa and Laura Aragó, La Vanguardia (Spain)

The video of this session explores scientific and media storytelling strategies, with a focus on restoration efforts in the Mediterranean region. Speakers shared practical perspectives and highlighted the importance of the Ten Step Guide for Practitioners developed by the IUCN CEC Commission.

Key moments of the event

CommOCEAN 2024 brought together a host of innovative projects and approaches to raise awareness of ocean issues and promote collaborative initiatives. Among the highlights, several presentations in particular illustrated the diversity and richness of scientific communication practices:

—Citizen science and community involvement

Nancy Fockedey (VLIZ) presented the Beneath the Surface guide, a key resource for initiating and developing marine citizen science projects. She stressed the importance of building engaging stories to motivate participants, while building on inclusive partnerships with schools, local clubs and NGOs. Concrete examples include the Big Seashell Survey, which mobilises thousands of participants every year to collect data on Europe’s beaches.

—The power of storytelling to inspire action

Elsa Vercellino and Emma Verron (Université de Bretagne Occidentale) demonstrated how to structure engaging stories in three stages: posing the problem, explaining why it is crucial and proposing solutions. Their approach was illustrated by projects such as Uncertain Tides, an immersive experience that raises awareness of the link between climate change and marine biodiversity through storytelling.

—Exemplary citizen science projects

The Marine Creatures project, led by Dr Eva Chazinikolaou (HCMR), mobilises volunteers to identify sessile marine organisms from underwater photos taken in harbours, artificial reefs and sea caves. In less than two years, more than 19,000 classifications have been made, demonstrating the effectiveness of this collaboration between citizens and researchers.

LIFE Conceptu Maris has set up a citizen science network involving ferries, passengers and scientists to monitor cetaceans and sea turtles in the Mediterranean. With over 1,400 observations collected, this project highlights the importance of partnerships with shipping companies.

MINKA, an initiative based in Catalonia, has brought together more than 900 contributors to document coastal biodiversity, with more than 270,000 validated observations. This database is a valuable tool for local decision-makers and strengthens the involvement of local communities in environmental management.

—Digital technologies and tools for citizen science

Sonia Liñán (ICM-CSIC) presented how digital tools, such as mobile applications and interactive platforms, make it easier for citizens to get involved in large-scale projects. For example, CoastSnap, a collaborative initiative that allows the public to photograph beaches to monitor erosion, demonstrates how technology can transform data collection.

Practical tips from the event

Among the many lessons learned from CommOCEAN, several strategies stand out for improving scientific communication:

  1. Create accessible and engaging stories
    Simplify scientific concepts with captivating stories and clear visuals. For example, use interactive infographics and simple comparisons to popularise complex subjects.
  2. Engaging audiences through citizen science
    Provide appropriate tools, such as practical guides or digital platforms, to involve citizens in collaborative projects and give them an active role in conservation.
  3. Working with the media
    The round table on the media highlighted the importance of forging partnerships with journalists and developing messages tailored to their audiences. The IUCN Ten Step Guide for Practitioners offers a practical method for improving these interactions.
  4. Use social networks strategically
    Adopt modern formats such as short videos, Reels or podcasts to capture attention and maximise the reach of communication.

The CommOCEAN 2024 conference showed that initiatives like those of Race for Water can benefit from new approaches to science communication. By integrating engaging storytelling, citizen science projects and digital strategies, the foundation can broaden its impact and mobilise more audiences around ocean conservation.

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