A blog by Divan N. Joseph, High Seas Youth Ambassador
When I became a High Seas Youth Ambassador for Tanzania, my biggest motivation was to understand how much people in my community know about the ocean areas beyond national boundaries, the High Seas and why these waters matter for our future. Tanzania is a coastal country with a deep connection to the ocean through culture, livelihoods and identity. Yet, I often wondered whether the global conversation about protecting the High Seas had reached local communities, especially young people and those whose lives depend directly on the ocean. That simple curiosity inspired a community awareness study in Msasani Ward, Dar es Salaam, which ended up becoming a meaningful learning journey.
As a youth ambassador, I wanted to explore levels of community awareness and support for The High Seas Treaty within Tanzania. This study was conducted in July and August in Msasani using both physical questionnaires and an online version shared through Google Forms. I managed to collect responses from 183 participants, including fishers, students, entrepreneurs, community elders, and young professionals (image 1 shows data collection by my teammate). Many people were excited to participate even before learning what the High Seas were, which gave me hope that ocean-related topics can attract local interest when presented in accessible ways.
The results revealed important insights. Only 26% of respondents had heard of the High Seas before the survey. This showed a significant gap in public understanding of international ocean issues, even in coastal communities. Awareness of the High Seas Treaty was even lower, with fewer than 10% of respondents recognizing it by name. However, what surprised and encouraged me was the level of engagement that followed once people received a short explanation of the Treaty’s purpose and goals.
Among the respondents who had a basic understanding of the Treaty, 76% supported Tanzania’s ratification of it. Their reasons were thoughtful and showed a deep connection with ocean sustainability. Many emphasized preventing overfishing, reducing pollution, protecting marine resources for future generations and ensuring sustainable economic benefits for coastal communities. One respondent highlighted the importance of strengthening global cooperation because no single nation can manage the High Seas alone. These responses reminded me how people care about the ocean when given the opportunity to understand the issues.
Interestingly, the survey showed that young people and entrepreneurs demonstrated slightly higher awareness levels than older participants. This suggests that exposure to education, digital platforms and global conversations is shaping how youth engage with ocean governance topics. As a youth ambassador, this finding felt especially motivating. It showed me that young people can be powerful drivers of ocean literacy and advocates for the High Seas Treaty in Tanzania.
The findings also highlighted the need for intentional public awareness initiatives. Tanzania has a strong ocean identity through fishing, tourism, culture and maritime livelihoods. Yet very few people remain aware of how international ocean governance affects them. Despite this limited awareness, those who learned about the Treaty quickly recognized its value and relevance to their lives. This signals a promising opportunity for awareness programs led by youth, NGOs, schools and community groups.
As I reflected on this experience, I realized that advocacy starts with listening, not speaking. Before I could explain the High Seas Treaty, I needed to understand how people relate to the ocean in their daily lives. The more I listened, the more I learned that individuals, even with limited information, have positive perspectives and a desire to protect marine resources.
The way forward involves continuing to build awareness through education, media engagement, collaborations with youth groups, integration of ocean literacy into school programs and partnerships between government ministries and NGOs. By ratifying the High Seas Treaty, Tanzania would join a global commitment to protect marine biodiversity beyond national borders while strengthening its alignment with international conservation goals.
My hope is that this small study becomes the beginning of larger ocean literacy efforts in Tanzania. The High Seas Treaty represents more than an agreement – it represents a promise to future generations, and I believe Tanzania has an important role to play in upholding that promise.
Divan Nyangi Joseph is an ocean conservationist and High Seas Youth ambassador from Tanzania, holding a BSc in Wildlife Science and Conservation. Her work focuses on marine conservation, community engagement, youth empowerment and policy advocacy for sustainable ocean resource use.