The Blue Humanities offer an interdisciplinary framework for understanding the ocean as a cultural, political, and ecological space (Newlands & Hansen, 2025; Mentz, 2024). Central to this discourse are ocean identity, marine citizenship, and ocean literacy, which shape governance, policy, and public engagement with marine environments (Steinberg, 2013; DeLoughrey, 2019).
Ocean identity reflects how histories, narratives, and cultural practices construct our relationship with the sea (Hau’ofa, 1994), while marine citizenship extends this to governance, emphasizing rights, responsibilities, and ethical stewardship. Ocean literacy—the ability to understand and engage with ocean systems—is increasingly recognized as critical for shaping effective marine policies.
This paper examines how these concepts inform marine policy and governance in Australia, from Indigenous-led ocean management to contemporary legislative frameworks on marine conservation, blue economies, and climate resilience. By integrating literature, art, and policy analysis, we explore how narratives of the ocean shape decision-making and public consciousness. Through the lens of the Blue Humanities, we argue for a more inclusive and culturally attuned approach to marine governance that acknowledges the ocean’s ecological, historical, and symbolic dimensions.