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Black History Month: Why an Understanding of Racial Disparities is Important for Marine Management


Black History Month: Why an Understanding of Racial Disparities is Important for Marine Management

Published By: Marine Maritime Organisation

Publication Date: November 2024


By Gurpreet Padda and Victor Owoyomi

We wanted to mark Black History Month, but recognising the achievements of Black people/people of colour in the marine sector is no easy feat. Globally, a general search revealed a number of prominent Black marine advocates located mainly in New Zealand and the United States.

In the US, the International African American Museum holds treasures belonging to Ernesto Everett Just, recognised as the first African-American marine biologist, who pioneered research on cell physiology. He was followed by the first Black woman in the sector, Roger Arliner Young, who earned a doctorate in zoology. More recently, Ayana Johnson Taylor and Diva Amon have made waves by breaking new ground in research and advocacy, expanding access to ocean conservation opportunities for under-represented and under-served groups. Their work has integrated science, policy, and community-based action to protect marine ecosystems, specifically supporting coastal communities of colour, which are disproportionately impacted by climate change and ocean degradation.

Further afield, Indigenous Māori researchers in New Zealand have been recognised for contributing to protect marine biodiversity through practices rooted in traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). This TEK approach focuses on centuries-old, place-based knowledge systems transferred down the generations, providing sustainable practices in managing fisheries and preserving marine habitats. Notably, this local knowledge is now being integrated into scientific marine research, where Western methods are strengthened by Indigenous perspectives on marine resource management, ecosystem connectivity, and conservation ethics.

And then there is Daniel Pauly. Though born in Europe and based in the US, the fisheries biologist could arguably be credited as being one of the greatest fisheries minds in the world. Interestingly, Professor Pauly not only broke through the race and class ceiling but also overcame unimaginable trauma, being trafficked as a child to becoming the most cited fisheries biologist.

In stark contrast, far fewer examples exist closer to home. A report by Ocean and Coastal Futures highlights the need for greater diversity for better ocean governance decisions. To challenge an often unequal and divided sector, access to marine, coastal, and fisheries opportunities has never been more relevant.

Waters around the United Kingdom and European Union are congested with activity, over-heating, over-exploited, and losing biodiversity. With British Overseas Territories facing similar challenges, understanding race, culture and ethnicity cannot be detached from our overseas marine management responsibilities. A burdened ocean is calling for representative engagement to co-design marine space so no group is disproportionately disadvantaged when making decisions related to marine resource management (known as environmental justice). No racial or social group should be overlooked in decisions as ‘persons acquainted with the needs and opinions of the fishing community…and persons with knowledge of, or expertise in, marine environmental [issues}’ (Marine and Coastal Access Act, 2009). Looking around meetings rooms, you’d be forgiven in thinking they are.

Managing access to woefully scarce marine resources comes with a responsibility to ensure all views are represented equally and fairly to ensure no racial or social group is left behind. As intellectual capacity and experience increases, so will a comprehensive understanding of meaningful, sustainable marine management. In the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, the need for greater diversity in the sector has never been more important.

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