People lie at the interface of policy and ocean conservation.

A group of fishermen haul in their nets in Kolkata. Photograph: Shibasish Saha, Climate Visuals
At The Peopled Seas, we explore ocean conservation through a people-centered lens, sharing the stories of coastal communities whose traditions and livelihoods are shaped by the sea.
Through personal narratives, interviews, and deep dives into marine culture, The Peopled Seas uncovers the resilience, challenges, and joys of life connected to the water.
Too often, marine policy is driven by ecological data alone, while the human dimensions—culture, heritage, and well-being—are overlooked or forgotten. When decision-makers focus solely on biological measures, they risk creating policies that are not only ineffective but also unjust, harming both the ocean’s health and the people who depend on it.
Here, we embrace storytelling as a powerful tool to illuminate the deep and complex relationship between people and the sea. By amplifying the voices of those most connected to the marine environment, we unravel these challenges and explore a future where conservation and coastal livelihoods thrive together

“No amount of natural science research will help us manage the oceans if we ignore the need for strategies that lead to evidence-based, participatory, and transparent management”
(Parsons et al., 2014, p1213)
Latest posts
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The Sea Forgets, But We Must Not: On Shifting Baseline Syndrome
How do we know what once was, if we have all forgotten? My grandfather pulled cod the size of toddlers from the water with fingers leathered by salt and grit.Now, his grandson counts mackerel like pearls and calls it a good day. What if the world is disappearing and we don’t even know it,because we…
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New Research Finds That Whales Have ‘Accents’, but Should We Be Eavesdropping On Their Conversations? The Ethics of AI in Whale Communication Studies.
Today’s post is a little less human-focused and a little more ethics-centered. Here, we will discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence to solve today’s environmental problems, discuss ‘whale accents’ and answer some intriguing ethical debates, such as: Do whales have privacy rights? Read on to find out. Humpbacks at Home The waves are dancing today.…
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Blue (In)justice and Marine Protected Areas: The human cost of ocean conservation
Too often, policymakers disregard the human impact of management decisions in the name of conservation. Now, more than ever, we need equitable solutions for a thriving planet and people. When we picture Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) I think it is fair to say that many of us imagine something akin to flourishing seagrass meadows, pristine…
Newquay Habour on b&w film by William Wakefield
Behind the Peopled Seas
The Peopled Seas welcomes guest writers. Please get in touch if you have a story to tell.
Skylar, the lead author and editor, is currently pursuing a PhD in Marine Social Science. If not working on her thesis she can be found in the surf or chasing after her border collie, Frank. Learn more here.

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