Conversations from the Inclusive Coasts and Seas workshop series on equity in marine science
This white paper summarizes the content and key learnings from the six-week "Inclusive Coasts and Seas" workshop series hosted by Minorities in Shark Sciences and Project SIARC, offering insights to help marine scientists, particularly early-career researchers, advance equity and inclusivity in their research and conservation efforts.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
The ocean is often described as a great connector, a blue expanse that links every coast and every person who lives near it. Yet, for much of its history, the science dedicated to studying and protecting that ocean has been built on a foundation that excluded many of the people who live there. Marine conservation has traditionally focused on counting fish and protecting habitats, often making decisions without asking the fishers, the coastal communities, or the diverse groups of scientists who have been left out of the conversation. This approach has created a gap between the people doing the research and the people whose lives depend on the sea. When the people who know the water best are not part of the planning, the rules often fail, and the scientists miss crucial details about how the ecosystem actually works. The question facing the field today is not just how to save the ocean, but how to change the way science is done so that it includes everyone who has a stake in its future.
To answer this, a group of researchers and community organizers recently brought together a diverse team for a six-week series of online workshops called "Inclusive Coasts and Seas." Organized by two groups, Minorities in Shark Sciences and a project based in Wales called SIARC, the gathering brought together 59 participants from nearly twenty different countries. These were not just scientists in labs; the group included fishers, community leaders, and researchers from places as far apart as Brazil, Nigeria, and the United States. The goal was not to teach them new facts about sharks or fish, but to teach them how to work together in a way that respects different voices and shares power more fairly. The result was a collection of stories and lessons that show how the field of marine science is slowly changing, moving away from a top-down style of leadership toward a model where everyone has a seat at the table.
The workshops began by tackling the idea of "allyship," a concept that went beyond simply saying you support diversity. The participants learned that being an ally is not a label you wear, but a set of actions you take every day. It means using your own advantages to help those who face barriers, whether that is speaking up when someone uses hurtful language or making sure a quiet person gets a chance to share their ideas. The group discussed how mistakes are inevitable in this work, but the key is to apologize, learn, and keep moving forward. They realized that true inclusion requires more than just good intentions; it requires a constant, active effort to listen and to change how things are done.
As the series moved into the practical side of running projects, the focus shifted to how research and conservation plans are actually built. The participants explored how to write grant applications and manage projects in a way that includes the people who will be affected by the work from the very beginning. Instead of scientists deciding what a project needs and then asking for money, the new approach suggests starting with the community. This means asking fishers what they see in the water, what problems they face, and what success looks like to them before a single line of a proposal is written. The group found that when communities are treated as partners rather than subjects, the resulting projects are stronger, more trusted, and more likely to succeed.
One of the most powerful moments in the series came when fishers from around the world shared their own stories. These were not just data points on a chart, but real people describing the changes they see in their local waters. A fisher from Sri Lanka spoke about seeing sawfish, a species scientists thought was gone from the area, and shared traditional knowledge about how these animals were once used for fencing. A fisher from Brazil described the frustration of seeing sharks and rays thrown back into the ocean because of strict rules, even though those animals were part of their livelihood. These stories highlighted a vital truth: local knowledge, often called Local Ecological Knowledge, holds answers that scientific surveys alone cannot find. When scientists and fishers work together, combining the numbers from the lab with the experience from the boat, they get a clearer picture of the ocean's health.
The discussions also covered the tools scientists use to understand these complex human and natural systems. The group explored qualitative research, which is a method of gathering stories, feelings, and experiences rather than just counting numbers. They learned that asking the right questions and listening carefully can reveal the "why" and "how" behind the data. This approach helps scientists understand the cultural and social reasons why people act the way they do, which is just as important as knowing how many fish are in the sea. By treating these stories with the same seriousness as a spreadsheet, researchers can build better relationships and design solutions that actually work for the people involved.
Throughout the six weeks, the participants also practiced how to share their work with the public. They learned that science communication is not just about translating complex jargon into simple words, but about connecting with an audience in a way that inspires them to care. Whether it is a short video, a podcast, or a conversation at a local market, the goal is to make the science accessible and relevant. The group realized that when people feel included in the story, they are more likely to support the solutions. This shift in communication is essential for building the trust needed to protect the ocean effectively.
By the end of the series, the participants had a clear sense of what needs to change. They found that the biggest barriers to a fairer future are not a lack of money or technology, but a lack of trust and a failure to share power. The paper they produced is not a list of new scientific discoveries, but a roadmap for how to work differently. It suggests that the future of marine science depends on humility, on the willingness to listen to those who have been ignored, and on the courage to admit when the old ways are not working. The ocean connects us all, but only if we are willing to change the way we study it, ensuring that the people who live by the water are the ones helping to define the questions and shape the answers.
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