This story is a part of the GenOcean campaign — an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities to help anyone, anywhere be the change the ocean needs.
In an era where our blue planet’s future depends as much on heritage, culture and human narratives as it does on science and technology, SeaVoice emerges as a vital story-sharing bridge. SeaVoice is anchored in the ethos of its endorsed host programme, the Ocean Decade Heritage Network’s (ODHN) Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP) which, among others, addresses two of the Decade Challenges: 9 – Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all; and 10 – Restore society’s relationship with the ocean. But SeaVoice is not simply a magazine — it is a call to recognize how our stories around water shape the science we need and the ocean we want.
Why SeaVoice?
At its core, SeaVoice invites us to contemplate climate and water: ocean basins, rivers, lakes through both science and the art of storytelling. In a context where marine science often speaks in numbers and data, SeaVoice chooses to amplify lived experiences: the storyteller as much as the scientist; the cultural heritage as much as the physical process.
“SeaVoice is a platform for the voices that shape, and are shaped by our ocean,” says Hannah Cocks, Head of Creative at SeaVoice. “Stories have a way of connecting people to the ocean in ways science alone cannot, especially when data-driven approaches often marginalise or overlook certain voices. Through SeaVoice projects, I’ve seen Niall Moorjani’s queered Scottish sea stories captivate audiences, exploring identity and our relationship to water, and reported on the Coral Catch Superwomen in Indonesia, restoring reefs and redefining what it means to be a woman in their culture. Seeing these stories unfold reminds me that conservation is about community, culture and creativity as much as it is about data.”
“For me, the most exciting work occurs when multiple disciplines collide,” says Nial Moorjani. Professional Storyteller. “To have performance oral storytelling sit alongside deeply scientific practices is just so exciting and I am utterly persuaded that the SeaVoice method of realising their mission, raising ocean awareness, is destined for success.”
“I love that SeaVoice supports ocean-conservation communities and helps amplify each mission to the wider world,” shares Avicenna Wijayanto, Programme Manager and Superwoman of Coral Catch. “We had such a great time showing the SeaVoice team our site, our team and of course, our story!”
Integration with the Ocean Decade and Heritage Network
Stories in SeaVoice are making an impact. Backed by the Ocean Decade and hosted within the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme, SeaVoice sits at the interface of three powerful streams:
- The scientific and policy goals of the Ocean Decade,
- The cultural heritage dimension championed by the ODHN and CHFP, and
- The public-facing realm of narrative, media and community engagement.
SeaVoice was conceptualized and is led by Dr. Georgia Holly, Marine Archeologist at the University of Edinburgh. Her motivation to run the magazine comes from years of experience in marine science and science communication.
“SeaVoice began forming during my work in coastal and marine field seasons where I saw how scientific literature failed to reach or include the people who depend on these environments the most,” she says. “There was no place for these voices alongside science and policy. That absence felt deeply wrong, not only ethically but scientifically. We were missing essential voices; we were missing half the story.
We see this same imbalance today in climate discussions — at the most recent COP, Indigenous voices were the most represented they’ve ever been, but admitted in only small numbers to the rooms where the decisions get made, far outnumbered by oil and gas executives. SeaVoice exists to help correct that imbalance and ensure that the people most connected to the ocean are part of the decisions that shape its future.”
How can you engage with SeaVoice?
The SeaVoice Magazine kicked off in 2024 but it’s already off to a successful start in each of its offerings. Fellow ocean lovers can find their content across many platforms:
- Online quarterly “Sea Stories,” each themed to combine science and culture — Osmosis, Community, Gen Sea.
- A print companion edition: The SeaVoice Annual: Issue 01, which launched on 8 June 2024 for World Ocean Day. This volume features 20 stories, photography and a seaweed-sourced cover, celebrating marine heritage.
- Video stories and interviews of ocean advocates and organizations on their social media channels.
“SeaVoice is committed to amplifying the voices of coastal communities, particularly underrepresented perspectives from young people and Indigenous peoples,” says Annie Edwards, SeaVoice Head of Partnerships and Member of the Ocean Decade Strategic Communications Group. “We include early career ocean professionals and Indigenous voices in each curated volume, in which we bring together unique perspectives surrounding themes from community to heritage. Crucially, the contributor always maintains control over their own narrative, with SeaVoice offering editorial support to elevate authentic voices on an equal platform.”
In fact, through each offering, SeaVoice upholds rigorous ethics. SeaVoice is committed to inclusive, respectful and accessible ocean storytelling. It amplifies diverse and Indigenous voices, ensuring equitable authorship and authentic representation across every publication. Through personalised editing and close collaboration, contributors are supported in sharing their stories in their own words. With open access and free distribution to contributors, SeaVoice ensures that everyone can take part in shaping a sustainable and culturally grounded ocean future.
“Writing my story for SeaVoice was amazing, as I had the time to reflect on my journey with Marine Heritage,” says Cezar Mahumane, Director of the Center of Archaeology, Research and Resources of Mozambique Island. “SeaVoice amplified the message of the work we are doing with community members of Mozambique Island, reaching different types of readers who value the ocean in its various dimensions. The personal connections we have with the sea and our sense of responsibility for marine heritage drive us to push our limits in defending this important heritage for humankind.”
Why this matters for heritage and the ocean
The traditional narrative of ocean action tends to focus on biodiversity, conservation, climate resilience and technology, all important topics but tend toward the technical. SeaVoice reminds us that people, place and culture lie at the heart of sustaining our blue world. The ODHN puts it this way: heritage isn’t a side-issue, but central to the Decade’s success. SeaVoice gives that principle form: telling the stories of communities, activists, researchers whose “blue spaces” are physical and lived.
By bridging science with story, SeaVoice is helping to:
- Engage non-scientific audiences by showing why the ocean matters to culture and identity,
- Reveal hidden or lesser-heard voices in ocean heritage: from lakes, rivers, coastal communities, Indigenous perspectives, art and activism, and
- Amplify how cultural heritage is a driver of sustainable ocean futures, not just a by-product.
Stay engaged, entertained and educated on ocean science and culture
SeaVoice is always working on its next publication, video post or story approach. Choose how you want to get involved: whether that’s through reading and consuming their content or participating in producing some, there’s an avenue for you!
- Dive into the digital quarterly issues, each offering thematic glimpses into culture-water intersections.
- Watch for the next SeaVoice Annual — high-quality print featuring curated stories, photography and heritage-rich content.
- Consider how your own work — whether research, policy, community, art — intersects with water, culture and heritage. SeaVoice is open to all “voices” for whom blue spaces matter.
- Recognize that by supporting and sharing such platforms, you help to widen the definition of ocean action: not only what science can measure, but what stories can move.
“At SeaVoice, we welcome contributions from anyone with a connection to the ocean — scientists, fishers, artists, community members and everyone in between,” says Holly. “Every voice offers something vital, and every perspective helps complete the story. If you have something to share, we want to hear it.”
Stay updated with their stories on their website.
Read more GenOcean stories on our webpage.
