Dr. Tavis Potts is the principal investigator in ocean governance and policy for Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and is part of Defra’s Marine Science Co-ordination Committee. He will talk to us about translating science into policy, public marine perspectives and marine communication, including insights from a recent UK survey.

1. Communication, Engagement and
Action for our Seas – a UK synopsis
Dr Tavis Potts
Scottish Association for Marine Science

2. Contents
 Perspectives on our relationship to the
sea
 Recent research on social trends
 Science into policy
 Emerging issues in marine social
research

4. (c) Wolcott Henry 2005/Marine Photobank

6. . Marine Photobank.

8. Mohammad Rakibul Hasan/Marine Photobank.

9.  Our relationship to the coast and sea is
complex – its spans individual
experience to collective action.
 Communication is the ‘transition of
information’ and aims to improve
engagement & pro-environmental
behaviour. It is an ongoing process - not
an end point.
 The relationship between communication
and social change is not straight forward.
 We must also reflect on the nature of
society, decision making and power.

10. Information
Marine science?
Communication
- Social media
- Press
- Broadcasting
- Journals
Values
Perceptions
Collective
action?
Resources
Societal
constraints
Culture
Education
Issues?
Policy and
politics

11. The Deficit
ModelThe assumption that good science translates directly into good policy is
flawed.
Identify
Problem
Do science, obtain
results
Improved Policy
1. Abundance of information for decisions
2. Science is ambiguous – uncertainty & variability
3. There is not sufficient public support for solutions
4. Policy has to be formulated for a variety of issues and interests
5. Cost of options is a key factor
6. Varying timescales for ecologists and policy makers
7. Trapped between the options from science and other interest groups

13. How concerned, if at all, are you about each of the following issues? Please
use a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 means you are not at all concerned and 5 means
you are very concerned. (N=7000: UK, Pol, It, Sp, Ger, Fra, Por).

14. 2011 data: Differences between EU countries on
climate & oceans

15. How are the issues perceived in the
UK?

17. Do we have problems with the communication of
marine science?

19. When it comes to managing and protecting the ocean
environment, how competent do you think are each of
the following? (UK 2013 net competent 4-5)

20. Key points from the survey
• While people recognise the importance of the
seas, there is a disconnect between our immediate
welfare and what nature provides.
• It is important to keep communicating and building
understanding over the concept of ecosystem
services
• Science needs to ask itself – is it communicating
effectively?
• What forms of communication work effectively for
different issues and demographics?
• Are we seeing younger generations becoming more
concerned?
• Strong demand for civil engagement in governance.

22. Figure 2. Illustration of the cascade model framed within the natural and socio-economic
context.
Liquete C, Piroddi C, Drakou EG, Gurney L, et al. (2013) Current Status and Future Prospects for the Assessment of Marine and
Coastal Ecosystem Services: A Systematic Review. PLoS ONE 8(7): e67737. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067737
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0067737

23. tourism
Sense of
place
recreatio
n
Sea defence
CO2
sequestratio
n
Waste
absorption
Cultural
heritage
food

25. Landuse
Tourism
Oil &Gas
Coastal
Defence
Ports &
Navigation
Military
Activities
Culture
Conservation
Dredging &
Disposal
Submarine
Cables
Fishing Renewable
Energy
Marine
Recreation
Mineral
Extraction
Mariculture
MSP and the Irish Sea – 1000 cuts?

26. Communication is important for driving
change. It needs to be:
• Constant and consistent
• Creative and innovative
• Targeted and tactical
• Communication should facilitate action
• More communication does not guarantee
outcomes – understand (and work) the
system
• Communicating how we connect to the
sea will be critical to catalyse action.

27. Thank-you for your time!
Tavis.Potts@sams.ac.uk