What is Blue Heritage?

In recent years, society has become increasingly aware of the importance of understanding the world's natural wonders, such as mountains, forests, and our common ocean. However, while many of us are familiar with preserving the ocean, not as many are aware of the cultural importance of the ocean, our Blue Heritage.

So, what exactly is Blue Heritage, and why is it so important?

Defining Blue Heritage

Blue Heritage recognizes the ocean’s deep and enduring connection to human cultural practices and the natural environment. The concept appears in the literature under various terms, including “ocean culture”, “maritime culture”, and “maritime heritage”. Just as certain terrestrial areas are associated with cultural heritage sites and traditions, Blue Heritage emphasizes the historical, spiritual, and practical relationships humans have built with the ocean across diverse societies and cultures. This term brings attention to the ocean’s role as a natural resource and a space rich in stories, knowledge, and cultural identity.

From traditional recipes passed down through generations to marine conservation practices and the stories of ancient trade routes, Blue Heritage captures the rich legacy of humanity’s relationship with the seas. It celebrates not only cultural connections but also the profound bonds between coastal communities and the ocean, highlighting how societies have adapted and thrived alongside marine environments for millennia.

The Ocean's Connection to People

The ocean is, essentially, the Earth's life support system. Beyond our crucial dependence on the ocean, the ocean has also been at the heart of many societies throughout history, serving as a vital highway for trade, commerce, cultural exchanges, and connection across vast distances. Coastal communities have built their identities around the sea—whether it's through fishing, surfing, boat-building, or spiritual practices.

But the connection isn’t just limited to people who live by the shore. Historically, the sea has connected entire continents. The oceans have been responsible for some of the earliest global exchanges of goods, cultures, and ideas, shaping civilizations for thousands of years.

Traditional Austronesian craft being raced, Fiji. Wikimedia.

In 1835, Captain James Edward Alexander left England and encountered surfing in West Africa — a practice that had apparently developed independently of Polynesian influence. Describing what he witnessed, he wrote in his diaries, “They waited for a surf and then came rolling in like a cloud on top of it.” This account suggests that wave-riding traditions were not unique to the Pacific and highlights how ocean-based cultural practices emerged in different parts of the world, shaped by local knowledge and environments. Source: Museum of British Surfing.

Haenyeo fisher in Jeju Island. South Korea.

Consider how civilizations like the Mayas, Polynesians, Egyptians, and Greeks used the ocean not just for survival, but as a means of commercial and cultural exchange. The ocean was (and still is) essential for transporting food, goods, and people across long distances. According to the UNCTAD, even today, over 80% of the volume of international trade in goods is carried by sea, and the percentage is even higher for most developing countries. From ancient mariners to today’s sailors and researchers, the sea continues to unite us, offering new ways of understanding the world.

Why Blue Heritage Matters?

As much as the ocean connects us, many growing challenges continue to threaten its health—and by extension, cultural practices. Cultural heritage can suffer from damage or loss due to climate change or pollution, for example.

The impact of climate change on traditional fishing practices in the Pacific Islands is well-documented. For instance, Conservation International notes that climate change is exacerbating challenges such as overfishing, which threatens local food security, livelihoods, and ecosystems in the Pacific Islands.

Climate change, pollution, and overfishing are taking a toll on marine ecosystems, affecting how humans relate to the environment. Rising sea levels and warmer waters are altering the landscapes that people have depended on and created relationships on for centuries.

For this reason, understanding our common Blue Heritage is vital as it encourages us to think about the ocean not as an endless, untouchable entity but as a living and integral part of human life—one that deserves protection, just like our cultural monuments and natural landscapes.

Living Blue Heritage and Future Generations

Whether it’s advocating for cleaner seas, supporting sustainable fishing practices, or simply spreading awareness about the beauty and importance of marine ecosystems, every effort counts to support the recognition of Blue Heritage. By doing so, we help communities and individuals a sense of identity and continuity, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the rich history, culture, and ecosystems that the ocean provides.

So, the next time you find yourself gazing at the vast expanse of the sea, remember that the ocean’s history is as deep and rich as the waters themselves. It’s not just a resource; it’s part of who we are.

Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elise-Huffer-2/publication/368360361_Blue_Heritage_in_the_Blue_Pacific/links/678dba0e98c4e967fa707818/Blue-Heritage-in-the-Blue-Pacific.pdf#page=56 https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2021 https://www.conservation.org/projects/sustaining-pacific-island-fisheries https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/46212-EN.pdf