Ocean science is one of the most relevant and important topics we should learn; yet it is one of the least studied topics during our formative school years. As adults, ocean science is something we may choose to learn about through the Discovery Channel or National Geographic. Perhaps in school we had a teacher who was keen on the ocean and therefore set schools projects in response to their own interest. However, in general, our ocean and the impact it has on our daily lives is little understood by the average person.

The ocean covers the vast majority of our planet and spans a huge 140 million square miles. We are dependent on the ocean for far more than fish and coral, as the ocean provides us with most of our oxygen and water, regulates the weather and climate, shapes our coasts and is the most dominating natural feature in our lives.

How much do you know?

1. How much of the Earth is ocean?
2. How many oceans are there?
3. What are the three different types of sea?
4. How much of the world’s water is salt water?
5. How much fresh water is available as fresh drinking water?
6. How much of the world’s carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean?
7. In the ocean, carbon is absorbed and used by what?
8. Condensation from warm seas provides the energy for what?

So why do we know so little about the ocean? Well, the answer is twofold. Firstly, ocean science is a vast academic topic which is hardly touched upon in most education systems around the world. Although the ocean and certain ocean related educational topics such as the water cycle, weather, tectonic plates, habitats and ecosystems are taught in primary and secondary education, the ocean is hardly ever taught as one, coherent topic. Essentially, the bigger picture is never touched upon whilst we are at school (unless a teacher does so of their own accord). Secondly, the ocean is still somewhat of an enigma - what we know about the ocean is really very little and we are finding out more each day as technology opens up the scope for deep underwater research.

We cannot wait for the scientists to crack all there is to know about the ocean before we start learning about it. Ocean literacy is fairly new terminology and has been put together by the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration and the National Geographic Society, amongst other voluntary organisations, to address the vast topic of ocean science. It also underpins ocean literacy with defined principles and fundamental concepts for educational purposes. The seven principles of ocean literacy help put a focus on the bigger picture, pulling together all the strands related to this topic:

• The Earth has one big ocean with many features
• The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth
• The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate
• The ocean makes Earth habitable
• The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems
• The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected
• The ocean is largely unexplored

Essentially, we have one ocean, which spans over 70% of the Earth’s surface. It is perhaps time we protected the ocean and all the living organisms within it. There is no such thing as local when regarding the ocean and the impact we have on it and it has on us.

Quiz answers:

1. Over 70 per cent
2. There is only one ocean, but there are five ocean divisions: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Antarctic and Arctic
3. Temperate, Tropical and Polar
4. 97 per cent
5. Less than one per cent
6. Half the carbon dioxide
7. Coral Reefs and marine animals with shells
8. Hurricanes and cyclones.

Ocean Literacy Programme:

CCMI is providing support on Ocean Science in schools, as part of their Ocean Literacy Programme, in association with KPMG, CUC and the Rotary Club Grand Cayman. The programme has spanned three years and has provided teacher training, a teacher training manual in Ocean Science and teacher resources. In September 2010, CCMI will be launching a new Ocean Literacy Project for primary schools in the Cayman Islands – giving students the opportunity to study ocean literacy from the bigger picture. See www.reefresearch.org

Ocean Literacy Day:

CCMI will be providing a free activity day, introducing ocean literacy to the young and old, in association with Atlantis Submarines and Books & Books at Camana Bay on the 4 September. Visit www.reefresearch.org  for more information.