Worldwide, ocean ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented levels of anthropogenic pressure, and as efforts to address the challenges facing the global ocean continue to fall short, there is a growing call for greater consideration of the human dimensions of ocean issues. Further, assessing changes associated with human-focused ocean interventions is fundamental to measuring the extent to which efforts are impacting individuals and communities.

Few if any resources exist for measuring the unique connections humans maintain with ocean spaces. Ocean Identity research seeks to identify the theoretical underpinnings of the ocean identity construct, resulting in a valid and reliable instrument that can be used in academic and professional contexts.

To establish the ocean identity survey we used a three phase process.

• focus group inquiry as well as a panel of expert advisors

• construct validation, and

• survey implementation and confirmation.

The end result of this work is a valid and reliable measure for the construct of ocean identity. The applications of the ocean identity instrument are vast, and we encourage users to pragmatize the theoretical foundations of this work by utilizing it in ways that are useful to them.