The sea, above all

The chapter presents the book's overall narrative and introduces the reader to the main issues addressed, by offering an interpretative guide of our collective Oceanic explorations. Scientists and activists exposed the irreversible consequences of marine environment deterioration is affecting the global life-supporting system. Several initiatives are emerging, driven by calls to action from international organizations. These mainly consist of monitoring and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at preventing or reducing damaging, predatory, and polluting activities. However, many are framed within a utilitarian conception of the economic and political importance of seas and Oceans for resource extraction, logistics, and leisure activities. On the contrary, the chapter argues that a paradigm shift is only possible by establishing an emotional connection between society and the Ocean. The emergence of new research areas and the growing interest in socio-cultural aspects of the Ocean have led to a greater awareness of the pervasive influence of the Ocean on human society. This has contributed to a widespread sense of belonging and care. Therefore, Ocean literacy, participatory science and policy, creative and artistic elaborations, and marine education have the potential to alter our perspectives and behaviors. Therefore, this chapter situates the collected contributions within the marine social science research context and critical social analysis to disentangle and subvert our material processes and semiotic understandings of what it means to ‘make’ the Ocean.