For centuries, oceans have brought cultures together through exploration and exchange. Today, they continue to connect nations through marine ecosystems that transcend borders.

At the 2026 World Ocean Week in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian Province, Ivan Nagelkerken, a professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia, drew a connection between the ocean’s role in cultural exchange and the shared responsibility of protecting marine life. Migratory species such as tuna and sharks cross national waters, making international cooperation essential to their survival. He also warned that overfishing and pollution are putting increasing pressure on ocean resources.