OPERA Ocean Literacy Materials Set One Release

Developed as part of the OPERA Capacity Development Activities, led by the International Chair in Mathematical Physics and Applications - UNESCO Chair and the Gulf of Guinea Ocean Sciences Summer School, these materials aim to raise awareness on ocean forecasting and its applications for sustainable ocean development. 

These new Ocean Literacy materials are now available: free, accessible resources to better understand the ocean : how it works, how it is observed, and the challenges linked to its protection. The resources comprise of 5 free resources:

  • A video introduction to what is oceanography,
  • Two infographics looking at the main branches of oceanography and the human impacts on the ocean,
  • An article on why monitoring the ocean is essential, sharing regional use cases 
  • A factsheet that looks at how we monitor the ocean today!

Find the Ocean Literacy Set One Materials here!

Alongside the other OPERA Capacity Development activities, the materials have global relevance, working to strengthen and improve accessibility across the entire ocean forecasting value chain, from awareness and education to advanced operational applications. They serve researchers, students, scientists, decision makers, maritime and coastal professionals, science communicators, NGOs, civil society organizations, and the wider community of ocean data users.

In addition to the ocean literacy materials developed, a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) was launched on the fundamentals of ocean forecasting via the FutureLearn platform in July 2026 with more than 1,162 participants from 111 countries with the majority from Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Brazil, and Indonesia.

Taking place over seven weeks and offering approximately 21 hours of content, the course begins with an overview of the ocean forecasting system before moving through the physical principles governing ocean circulation, numerical modelling, observing systems, and data assimilation. It then explores real world applications in fisheries, coastal management, maritime safety, and environmental policy.

The MOOC team brings together Stefania Ciliberti (Nologin Oceanic Weather Systems, Spain); Gaël Alory and Nicholas Hall (University of Toulouse, France); Serena Illig (IRD, France); Emanuela Clementi (CMCC, Italy); Fernand Assene (University of Ebolowa, Cameroon); Frédéric Bonou (ICMPA–UNESCO Chair, Benin); and, in the United States, Ebenezer Nyadjro (Mississippi State University), A. Nathanael Dossa (University of Miami), and Babette C. Tchonang (Florida State University).

 

 

This diverse team reflects the range of backgrounds and expertise needed to support accessible ocean forecasting education. Bringing together perspectives from across regions and disciplines helps provide learners with a well-rounded understanding of ocean forecasting and its applications.

From Benin to Kenya, Cameroon to Namibia, Algeria to Chad, Togo to the Bahamas, learners from diverse backgrounds explored how ocean observation, numerical modelling, and data assimilation come together to predict the ocean’s future state, and why this matters for coastal communities, fisheries, and maritime safety.

Learn more about the MOOC on Futurelearn here: OPERA: Fundamentals of Ocean Forecasting Opera – Online Course – FutureLearn

 

 

These capacity development activities will continue until 2029 developing integrated capacity development activities like integrated suite of educational and training resources, including:

  • Three additional Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) delivered through the FutureLearn platform, each addressing a core component of the OceanPrediction DCC virtuous loop for ocean forecasting and its applications.
  • The development of educational software for Simple Educational Access for Forecast and Warning Developers (SEA-FORWARD), an innovative educational software environment enabling users to experiment with simplified ocean forecasting systems without heavy infrastructure, while remaining aligned with international operational standards.
  • Interactive advanced activities, including technical workshops, didactic materials, hackathons, and webinars, fostering knowledge exchange and practical uptake of ocean forecasting tools.

Stay up to date with all OPERA activities on the OceanPrediction DCC website!

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