Indigenous people, coastal communities, small-scale fishers and island nations are intimately connected to, depend on and claim resources and territories in much of the world’s oceans and coastal environment. The central objective of the People and the Ocean SG is to promote the understanding and integration of the voices, visions, rights, and livelihoods of coastal peoples and island nations into policies and practices related to the conservation and management of the oceans.

The global oceans and coasts are experiencing rapid growth of both economic development and marine conservation.  These accelerating activities in the ocean can impact local populations in a variety of positive and/or negative ways. On the one hand, marine conservation can increase well-being through protecting critical ecosystem services and the blue economy can provide livelihoods to local communities. On the other hand, poorly implemented marine protected areas, fisheries management and development initiatives can exclude local people from decision-making, undermine human rights, or produce few economic benefits for local populations.

It is crucial that local people are allies for marine conservation and ocean sustainability. This necessitates considering and respecting local livelihoods, rights, and well-being in planning and management. Marine conservation efforts should also forefront the governance processes, innate leadership abilities, and stewardship practices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. 

The People and the Oceans Specialist Group is a global network of experts focused on centering people in ocean conservation, management and development. It addresses many of the themes of the Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, such as the Governance, Equity and Rights, Human Well-being and Livelihoods, Gender, Indigenous People’s, and Business, Best Practice and Accountability Thematic Groups.

The People and the Oceans SG connects to the various marine programs situated within the IUCN, including the Marine and Polar Program and the Marine Theme of the World Commission on Protected Areas, and liaises with IUCN member organizations that are engaged in ocean conservation, management and development issues. 

Areas of Focus

The People and the Oceans Specialist Group aims to bring greater attention to the human dimensions in ocean conservation, management and development. It will advance a variety of projects to co-create new knowledge, policy advice or practical recommendations. Strategic areas of focus for the years ahead include:

• Bringing attention to social injustices occurring in the ocean
• Improving governance of marine protected areas
• Advancing Indigenous Peoples and Local Community leadership in marine conservation
• Addressing small-scale fishing rights in fisheries management and ocean governance
• Incorporating social equity into the blue economy
• Mainstreaming gender in ocean sustainability efforts