The Importance of Communicating Lesser-Known Ocean Issues

We believe in the power of proactive communication, especially when it comes to lesser-known ocean threats that could have equally devastating impacts on our blue planet.

As an ocean communications agency, we're often asked to focus on the "hot topics" - plastic pollution, overfishing, or coral reef bleaching.

While these issues undoubtedly deserve attention, our mission extends beyond simply echoing public interests. We believe in the power of proactive communication, especially when it comes to lesser-known ocean threats that could have equally devastating impacts on our blue planet.

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Why It Matters

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Communicating about under-reported ocean issues serves multiple crucial purposes:

It broadens public understanding, creating a more comprehensive picture of ocean health.
It drives research and policy by spurring increased scientific study and targeted responses.
It helps prevent future crises by raising awareness early.
It balances the narrative, ensuring critical issues don't get overshadowed by more "media-friendly" topics.
It fulfills our educational mission to provide a full, nuanced understanding of ocean challenges.

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Examples of Hidden Threats

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Let's look at three under-communicated ocean issues highlighted in the recent UN State of the Ocean Report 2024:

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1. Ocean Deoxygenation: The report states, "The ocean oxygen content is decreasing, resulting in worsening hypoxia and larger low oxygen areas." This silent killer threatens marine life and ecosystem balance, yet it receives far less attention than visible pollutants like plastic.

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2. Changing Ocean Soundscapes: Increased human activity is altering the ocean's natural acoustic environment. This noise pollution disrupts marine animal communication, navigation, and behavior. The lack of specific figures in the report highlights the need for more research and awareness in this area.

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3. Coastal Blue Carbon Loss: According to the report, "20–35% of coastal blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, seagrasses, tidal marshes) have been lost since 1970." These ecosystems are crucial carbon sinks and coastal protectors. Their loss accelerates climate change and increases coastal vulnerability, yet they often fly under the radar in climate discussions.

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How We Do it

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At Meridian, we believe in a balanced communication strategy. While we continue to address well-known ocean issues, we leverage that attention to connect audiences with lesser-known threats. We craft fresh narratives around these complex topics, translating scientific data into engaging content that resonates.

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For instance, we have collaborated with TikTok influencer Liz Blue to create an explainer on the danger of “sand wars”, built a 3D map of the ocean floor to help Seabed 2030 explain the importance of bathymetric data at the World Ocean Summit, and launched a social media photo contest showcasing the beauty and importance of blue carbon ecosystems, paired with stark statistics on their decline.

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Our aim isn't to diminish the importance of well-known ocean issues, but to create a more holistic understanding of ocean health. By diversifying our communication focus, we foster a more informed, engaged public ready to tackle the full spectrum of interconnected challenges facing our oceans.

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Remember, today's under-communicated issue could be tomorrow's global crisis. As ocean communicators, it's our responsibility to stay ahead of the curve, bringing to light the hidden threats that could shape the future of our blue planet.

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