Heritage in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and Beyond

Georgia Holly; Jon Henderson; Arturo Rey da Silva; Annie Edwards; Hannah Cocks; Athena Trakadas

doi:10.2218/ED.9781836451358

Heritage in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and Beyond

Authors

Georgia Holly, University of Edinburgh; Jon Henderson, University of Edinburgh; Arturo Rey da Silva, University of Edinburgh; Annie Edwards, University of Edinburgh; Hannah Cocks, University of Edinburgh; Athena Trakadas, Ocean Decade Heritage Network

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2218/ED.9781836451358

Keywords:

Marine Cultural Heritage, Maritime Archaeology, Intangible Heritage, Policy, Ocean Governance, SDG 14

Synopsis

This Blue Paper makes the case for putting Ocean Heritage at the heart of ocean science and sustainable development. Often overlooked in ocean governance, Ocean Heritage—both tangible (like shipwrecks) and intangible (like traditional knowledge)—holds vital insights for shaping effective, inclusive, and climate-resilient marine policy. Produced by the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP), the only Ocean Decade programme focused on heritage, the paper shows how cultural perspectives strengthen all 10 Ocean Decade Challenges. Drawing on over 20 global initiatives, it offers practical recommendations to embed heritage in science, planning, and policy. At the Decade’s midpoint, this is a bold call to treat culture not as an accessory—but as a right and a requirement for truly sustainable oceans.