Our work
Canada's Ocean Literacy Strategy
Land, Water, Ocean, Us: A Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy was launched on March 16th, 2021. The National Strategy was co-developed by Canadians, for Canadians, through an evidence-based and community-driven engagement process in which over 400 organizations and more than 3,000 Canadians participated.
The National Strategy outlines 9 Action Streams that provide a common framework for action over the course of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The Ocean Decade serves as an important opportunity for all of us to work together to help ensure a healthy, equitable, and sustainable relationship with the global ocean and Canada’s waterways for present and future generations.
Read the Strategy Publications
Click titles below to access the three different publications in English, French, and Inuktitut.
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Discover the 9 Action Streams
Interact with the Strategy Framework by hovering over different parts of the graphic.
Action Streams
1. Develop the digital Canadian Ocean Literacy Map & Community Platform
2. Establish the Canadian Ocean Literacy Community Microgrant Program
3. Strengthen Ocean Education
4. Grow Ocean Week Canada
5. Enhance Ocean Knowledge Sharing Through media Communications, Storytelling & the Arts
6. Amplify and Advance Youth Engagement in Ocean Conservation & Sustainable Blue Economy Opportunities
7. Evaluate and Improve the Current State of Access & Diversity Within Canada’s Blue Spaces & Ocean-related Sectors
8. Improve Government Integration of Water-ocean-climate Literacy in Policy & Public Engagement
9. Build Ocean & Human Health Connections
10. Contribute to Ocean Literacy Leadership & Advocacy (NEW as of 2022)
Get Involved in the Strategy
Several multi-partner, national action projects have been established to directly address one of the Action Streams as identified in the National Strategy. More projects will be co-developed throughout the Ocean Decade. Important work is also taking place in communities, organizations, and regions across Canada through a variety of diverse initiatives. It is essential to celebrate and support these existing efforts to ensure ocean literacy is advanced in meaningful, place-based ways. There is no-one-size-fits all approach. To support these community-led initiatives, COLC launched the Ocean Literacy Community Grants Program in early 2023, providing more accessible and streamlined funding opportunities for community-driven ocean literacy initiatives that are regionally, culturally, and linguistically relevant.
Measuring Impact
COLC’s key initiatives are designed to create positive shifts in ocean knowledge, ocean values, and ocean actions. The National Strategy identified these goals as critical dimensions to building an ocean-literate society. Shifts may occur across all scales, from one individual to an organization, community, or sector. A shift begins with a change within one individual or organization, and longterm impact occurs once a critical mass of people in a community or organizations in a sector are acting upon their shared knowledge and values.
Annual Impact reports collectively provide a snapshot of the state of Ocean Literacy in Canada and help to reveal trends and progress throughout the UN Ocean Decade, and beyond.
Updating the Strategy
Now, four years into implementing the National Strategy, we are reflecting on progress, impact, and lessons learned to date. This effort is leading to the creation of an updated strategy to serve as a blueprint to guide ocean literacy efforts in Canada through the second half of the Ocean Decade (2025 to 2030). The updated Strategy will be released in Fall 2025.