Last December, the MARINA project took part in the Comm’Ocean Conference in Southampton, UK. The Conference hosted the launch of the new participatory exhibition “Let’s talk about the Ocean” developed by the World Ocean Network as part of the MARINA project.

“Let’s talk about the Ocean” is designed to raise awareness on key Ocean issues in a format that is light, easy-to-run and can be displayed in streets, museum hallways or conference venues. In a dynamic and punchy way, the participatory aspect of the MARINA Exhibition shows that the Ocean is important for humankind and raises strong opinions. Everyone has something to share with the Ocean.

As part of the MARINA Exhibition, passers-by are asked a single question about their beliefs and personal relationship to the ocean. A facilitator and facts-and-figures board are present to help people express their ideas and feelings, write them down and pin them up on the wall.

When displayed in Southampton, the question was “The Ocean, what’s the use?” The public showed a great level of ‘ocean literacy’. Besides the basic scientific uses of the Ocean such as the production of oxygen and regulation of climate, most answers focused on what is sometimes called the “blue-gym effect”. The Ocean brings us well-being, leisure and a sense of calm. One participant shared the strong cultural link her community has with the Ocean through folklore stories and local deities.
(To discover more results from Southampton, see the World Ocean Network Twitter thread)

MARINA Exhibition next stops:
– Final scientific conference of MARINA in Boulogne-sur-Mer on March 12th and 13th 2019
– MARINA joint policy event with ResponSEAble project: Ocean Dialogues, March 18th and 19th 2019.

Should you want to host this exhibition to engage with your audiences, don’t hesitate to contact the World Ocean Network Team: info@worldoceannetwork.org

(by Elisa Atger, World Ocean Network)