PRESS RELEASE: Tackling the Ocean Crisis through Education

Melbourne, Victoria – In a ground breaking step towards ocean conservation, Australia’s first Ocean Literacy Portal launches today, providing teachers, students, and communities with the tools they need to understand, protect, and advocate for our blue planet.

The objective of the Portal is to enhance an understanding of the ocean in the community and Australian schools, leading to knowledgeable individuals being able to take action and make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.

“Building an ocean-literate society in Australia can drive real change in how we protect, conserve, and sustainably interact with the ocean. It’s not just a distant blue backdrop—it’s part of who we are” stated Dr Prue Francis, Deakin University.

Despite Australia being an island nation, the ocean remains largely absent from school curricula and broader community education. This is a global issue, recognised in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 to 2030).

“Most Australian teachers lack the time, training and expertise in marine education topics. Many teachers feel ill-equipped to include ocean themes in their teaching schedules” said Brett Shorthouse, Director of Oceans IQ. “This was revealed in the survey we carried out in 2022” he said.

To help address this gap, Oceans IQ in partnership with Deakin University, the Unico Conservation Foundation and a reference group of experts, have developed the Australia Ocean Literacy Portal. It is a centralised online platform designed to freely share teacher resources and community knowledge.

The portal will help to: develop a greater understanding of the ocean (ocean literacy); increase confidence and participation in educating about the ocean; and consolidate and share ocean literacy resources and activities.

Denise and Geoff Illing from the Unico Conservation Foundation highlight the power of education in driving conservation action. “What if the key to saving Australia’s oceans wasn’t just scientists or politicians—but students, teachers and entire communities?”

Their sentiment underscores the Portal’s mission – to make marine science accessible and engaging for all Australians by connecting teachers and students with marine scientists, ready-to-use lesson plans, and hands-on programs.

The Portal is continually evolving and currently features resources from Victoria, with plans to expand nationwide.

The Australia Ocean Literacy Portal can be found at oceanliteracy.com.au. It’s education that gets your hands wet!

Oceans IQ, in partnership with Deakin University and the Unico Conservation Foundation, has developed Australia’s Ocean Literacy Portal. The Victorian component of the portal was developed with seed funding from Unico Conservation Foundation and the Victorian Government. The remaining States and Northern Territory will be developed and rolled out during 2025 and 2026.

Media Contact:
Claire Perryn – Oceans IQ
Ocean Literacy Portal Project Manager
P: 0451 121 321
E: [email protected]

For Interviews:
Sheree Marris – Director Unico Conservation Foundation (Available until 9 March 2025)
P: 0417 346 963
E: [email protected]

Dr Prue Francis – Deakin University
Ph: 03 5563 3026
E: [email protected]