By Dr. Arturo Rey da Silva, Contributing Editor at SeaVoice
The oceans have always been more than just blue horizons; they are bridges for shared experiences, lifelong memories, and regulators of human emotions. They are realms of travel, exploration, and communication. Despite the perceived invisibility of the oceans over the last century, as humanity turned toward airborne and inland modes of travel, we cannot deny that the oceans—plural—are integral to us, influencing how we feel and express emotions. It is in this fluid space where human senses intertwine with nature, shaping our sense of interconnectedness.
As we get to know the Ocean—with a capital "O"—we are invited not only to sense its vastness, whether with curiosity or awe, but also to feel its protection and revelations, approaching it with a sense of reverence for the natural world. The emotions the ocean inspires in human nature, often expressed through cultural and oral traditions, form a universal language that transcends today’s global challenges and communication barriers.
Like a parent seeking to protect their child, the ocean is seen as a guardian by many coastal and seafaring communities. The Ocean inspires a sense of parenthood in and for humanity, encouraging each generation to recognise the sensations that tell timeless stories. From the dwindling breeze of a coastal dawn, the saltiness of stormy seas, the drowsiness from the gentle rocking of a canoe, to the womb-like silence of its depths, the Ocean accompanies, shapes, or mirrors the various stages of our lives. Such moments bring a profound emotional depth that connects generations, awakening a sense of stewardship rooted in the joy of viewing the world through a child’s eyes and fostering an enduring bond with nature.
In the Ocean’s embrace, we celebrate the beauty of our planet and honour the timeless, sensory legacy of connection and love that flows from parents to children, preserving these precious spaces for future generations. After all, we preserve what we understand and value—and understanding and valuing are often deeply embedded in us through sensory and emotional experiences.
The new volume of SeaVoice, Sense, explores specifically this tapestry of feelings and emotions that the relationship with the ocean, its history, and its heritage bring us through our senses. From the icy depths of the Antarctic to the warm, artistic shores of Bali, these articles invite readers to experience the sea’s wonders, challenges, and resilience.
In this volume, we tell the remarkable tale of ‘Endurance’, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic ship, rediscovered over a century after it sank in the Weddell Sea. This beautifully preserved piece of maritime history highlights Shackleton’s heroic leadership and now serves as a research hub for marine biologists studying the unique Antarctic ecosystem.
Shifting from history to art, we meet Sarah Bold on Scotland's west coast. Her project ‘Seaweed, Plastic, and Detritus’ captures the changing coastline—altered by pollution—that new generations may accept as “normal”. Through her work, Sarah spotlights both beauty and debris, urging preservation of these precious landscapes.
We follow Jessica Pita, South Africa’s first blind scuba diver, who explores the underwater world through touch and sound, aided by a dive partner. Jessica’s story demonstrates resilience and adaptability, reminding us that nature’s beauty can be sensed and valued beyond sight.
Exploring further, ‘How to Listen to the Ocean’ reflects on the importance of marine soundscapes for ecosystem health. From whale songs to shrimp clicks, each habitat has a unique “orchestra,” disrupted by human noise. This reflection urges us to listen deeply, protecting the fragile acoustic balance essential to marine life.
In Bali, Reyanne Mustafa’s project shows the transformative power of art in conservation. Collaborating with Rip Curl and 4ocean, she used discarded fishing nets and plastic to create a compelling piece, showing the potential of waste materials and collective action for sustainability.
Looking into how to make data we can 'sense' for sharing science with the public, Letizia Artioli’s article explores the Venice Climate Change Pavilion, a floating installation blending art, science, and ecology to raise awareness of climate change's impact on Venice's Lagoon.
Moving to tasting the ocean, Osman Doğan describes the impact of invasive Lionfish on the Mediterranean, where warming waters have allowed these species to devastate native marine life and threaten local fishers’ livelihoods. In response, Doğan and other fishers have adapted by turning the invasive lionfish into a marketable product, though they stress that sustained support and climate action are crucial to securing a sustainable future for Mediterranean ecosystems and artisanal fishing.
Moving to Scotland, Nc'nean whisky, founded by Annabel Thomas, embodies a sustainable and innovative approach to Scottish whisky, rooted in the coastal Highlands and inspired by the land, sea, and cultural heritage of the area. Located on the Morvern peninsula, the distillery embraces renewable energy, organic barley, and local resources, all while navigating the challenges of a remote setting and pioneering a fresh perspective in the whisky industry.
Making the ocean more accessible, in ‘Virtual Diving with Giants’ Jasmine Corbett from Manta Trust uses virtual reality to connect people with manta rays in the Maldives, bridging ocean experiences for those unable to dive. This VR tool fosters conservation education, inspiring all to protect marine life.
Finally, haikus from the Ocean Acidification Alliance address the invisible threat of ocean acidification. These poems capture the crisis affecting marine life with emotional resonance, translating vast scientific issues into brief, impactful verses.
As we embark on this journey of reflection, I invite readers to let go, sit down, or even float, ready to awaken their senses with each of the ocean stories shared in this volume. This new edition of SeaVoice not only encourages us to appreciate the ocean’s beauty and mystery but also immerses us in a communion with the Big Blue, fostering a profound respect and stewardship for the life it sustains.
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