Undercurrents: community art, indigenous cultural heritage and ocean governance

Ocean cultural heritage is often overlooked in national and global biodiversity policies and management. Art-based research can provide a transformative way to respectfully engage with Indigenous knowledge, meaningfully connect with unique ocean-human connections, and inform decisions that can ensure biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. In the context of ocean and biodiversity governance, cultural and spiritual connections with the sea that embody ecosystem custodianship and deep knowledge of species and habitats, including those under extreme threat, should be considered just as important as food security and economic benefit. The One Ocean Hub, a transdisciplinary programme of research connecting marine and social sciences, law and arts for more inclusive and integrated decision-making, has adopted novel approaches to support the integration of Indigenous worldviews into boarder debates about ocean stewardship. This paper discusses community-led art projects ranging from film, murals, music and song, to wearable art and tapestry in South Africa, Ghana, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea that explore the profoundly inhabited nature of the ocean, from marine life to spiritual beings and ancestors. The paper concludes by reflecting on the agency of creative practices to influence decision-making processes and legal frameworks in the face of stressors such as over-fishing, climate change, marine pollution and deep-seabed mining.