This unique textbook presents an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of marine studies, exploring the dynamic relationship between people and the marine environment.

Emphasizing the human dimension of coastal and ocean issues, the book provides an innovative examination of the complex marine–human environment dynamics by drawing on social science and humanities approaches. Applying these interdisciplinary approaches, the textbook addresses key challenges facing the marine environment, including changing climate, fisheries, aquaculture, marine pollution, energy production, and management of areas beyond national jurisdiction. While leading with a human dimension approach to these challenges, the chapters are all firmly grounded in foundational knowledge about coastal and ocean environments and processes. The textbook also includes examples of professional or academic areas of specialization within marine studies such as social and environmental justice, governance, global perspectives, traditional ecological knowledge and management, entrepreneurship, community development, conservation, and the blue economy. Ultimately, the book provides the first cohesive resource on marine studies to educate students, train interdisciplinary marine leaders, inspire new knowledge about people and the sea, generate innovative solutions for sustainable oceans, and build capacity for a new generation of marine-focused professionals.

Oceans and Society is essential reading for students on marine studies courses, as well as those studying marine governance, policy, conservation, and law more broadly. It will also be of great interest to students, researchers, and professionals interested in applying interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges.

Part I: Setting the Stage

Chapter 1. An Introduction to Marine Studies

K. Spalding

Chapter 2. Human Dimension Approaches to Marine Studies

K. Biedenweg, S. Chisholm Hatfield & A. K. Spalding

Chapter 3. The Ocean: An Introduction to the Marine Environment

K. Grorud-Colvert & M. Ward

　

Part II: Grand Challenges

Chapter 4. Wild Capture Fisheries: Processes, Technology, and Solutions

F. Conway & L. Ciannelli

Chapter 5. Global Marine Aquaculture Development

J. D. Stieglitz, M. Touchton, D. D. Benetti, D. Rothen, A. Clark-Hughes, B. K. Haus,

A. Zangroniz & D. O. Suman

Chapter 6. Marine Pollution: Science, Art, and the Accumulations of Time

S. M. Brander & P. Betjemann

Chapter 7. Oceans and the Changing Climate

D. O. Suman

Chapter 8. Marine Renewable Energy: Policy, People, and Prospects

B. J. Wickizer, D. Brandt, B. Robertson, H. S. Boudet

Chapter 9. Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

H. Harden-Davies

　

Part III: Approaches to the Grand Challenges

Chapter 10. Ocean Governance: Definitions, framework, and implementation

I. Scott & A. K. Spalding

Chapter 11. Stewardship and Conservation of the Marine Environment: Marine Protected Areas

M. P. Shivlani & D. O. Suman

Chapter 12. Social Justice in Coastal Spaces

M. M. Maldonado & B. Boovy

Chapter 13. Truth-Telling: Understanding Historical and Ongoing Impacts to Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)

C. B. LaPorte

Chapter 14. Coastal Community Development

A. N. Doerr, C. Pomeroy & F. Conway

Chapter 15. Marine Entrepreneurship

A. N. Doerr, L. Anderson & J. Scorse

Chapter 16. Measuring Progress Towards a Blue Economy: A Critical Overview of Development Indicators

A. M. Cisneros-Montemayor

Chapter 17. Conclusion: Marine Studies as an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the coupled natural-human Ocean system

D. O. Suman & A. K. Spalding