The ocean we want in the decade of ocean science:a four-country pilot survey

The United Nations’ Decade of Ocean Science identifies “Decade Outcomes” intended to represent societal goals of the Ocean Decade. We develop and administer a pilot survey based on quota samples in four countries that represent a quarter of the world’s exclusive economic zones—Australia, France, Japan, and the United States—to understand people’s attitudes towards the ocean as they relate to the Decade Outcomes, priority areas for action, and factors affecting these views. Relationships people have with the ocean, as well as their age and gender, are important factors influencing concern about the ocean and what actions to prioritize. Across all four countries, reducing marine pollution and protecting marine life were the two highest priorities, reflecting the importance of two of the Decade Outcomes, a Clean Ocean and a Healthy and Resilient Ocean. These findings provide insights about public attitudes and priorities toward the ocean that can help inform policy development, messaging, outreach, education, and prioritization in the four countries surveyed.