Marine ecosystems face growing threats from human activities, including pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. While scientific knowledge about these issues continues to expand, translating that knowledge into effective action remains a challenge. Public outreach and education are essential tools to foster ocean literacy, promote sustainable behavior, and support conservation initiatives. By engaging communities, policymakers, and younger generations, educational efforts play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between science and society. This Research Topic recognizes the need to highlight and advance strategies that empower the public to participate meaningfully in marine conservation.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to showcase and advance public outreach and education as fundamental components of marine conservation. We aim to bring together interdisciplinary contributions that demonstrate how science communication, environmental education, and community engagement contribute to protecting ocean biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of marine resources. This Research Topic Special Issue invites research that critically examines the design, implementation, and impact of educational tools and outreach programs in diverse social, cultural, and geographic contexts. We are particularly interested in evidence-based strategies that foster behavior change, community stewardship, and policy support. Contributions addressing the inclusion of marginalized or Indigenous communities, participatory science models, and art-science collaborations are strongly encouraged. By gathering diverse experiences and innovative methodologies, this Research Topic seeks to provide a platform for best practices in marine education and communication. The ultimate objective is to inspire a global community of practice dedicated to enhancing ocean literacy and empowering people to act for the ocean.

This Research Topic welcomes original research, reviews, case studies, methods, and perspective articles focused on public outreach and education in marine conservation. Topics may include—but are not limited to:

• Science communication campaigns,

• Citizen science initiatives,

• Educational curriculum design for marine conservation,

• Community engagement approaches,

• Development and use of digital tools and social media,

• Interdisciplinary collaborations for education.

We encourage submissions from researchers, educators, NGOs, artists, and practitioners working across formal and informal education settings. All manuscripts should clearly articulate the goals, audience, methodology, and impact of the outreach or education initiative presented. Submissions are accepted through the Frontiers platform and will undergo standard peer review. Join us in sharing impactful practices that help turn marine knowledge into collective conservation action.

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Public Outreach and Education in Marine Conservation