Reflections on the past, present, and potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1347494
• Publication Date: 2024-07-11T12:20:37Z
• Authors: Holly J. Niner; David Wilson; Kelly Hoareau; Mia Strand; Jennifer Whittingham; Dylan McGarry; Bolanle Erinosho; Sulley Ibrahim; Sirkka Tshiningay...; Senia Febrica; Alana Malinde S. ...; Milica Prokic
• Keywords: Traditional Knowledge; Transformative Learning

Governance of the ocean and its biodiversity is deeply entangled within social, political cultural histories. The evolution marine science has been subject to similar influences, we (the authors) consider these factors create, embed reinforce knowledge hierarchies in governance processes associated research that set societal patterns prioritisation exclusion. Such have constructed dominant Western-oriented systems as ‘rational’ ‘objective’ approaches environmental contrast non-Western led a dominance natural (normal) sciences over centralised governance. extraction incorporation traditional into scientific canon through myriad historical contemporary often reproduce hierarchies, do not benefit holders are considered incomplete, inappropriate or absent. As address current conservation challenges, researchers must be aware history extraction, impositions assumptions their fields. Researchers also actively acknowledge histories work avoid marginalisation support ethical, empathetic, rigorous production meets needs society. In this paper, development concept explore case studies diverse geography discipline ranging from action Namibia, application arts-based methodologies legal proceedings focused at an international level, literacies, all which located under umbrella project specifically targeting transformative It becomes evident multi-layered, perpetuating, reproduced even when attempting such methods integration ‘bringing together’ systems. Effective change will therefore require sensitive multi-faceted including embracing discomfort, important with, well through. While there continued tensions between it sine qua non need build commitment understanding where powers lie, rather than ignoring imbalances or, similarly, by idealising approaches.