Resources / Reports

Survey Report: Citizens, Health and the Sea

The SOPHIE survey was developed with the aim of understanding public perceptions of the risks and benefits of marine ecosystems for human health and wellbeing.

We have published a report to summarise the opinions expressed by 14,167 European citizens, from 14 countries, about their interactions with marine environments. They shared their perceptions about a range of marine activities in relation to public health and wellbeing, the health of the marine environment and the economy. Citizens also shared their concerns and priorities related to the marine environment, public health and wellbeing.

Read the Survey Report: Citizens, Health and the Sea.

Data were collected by the international market research company YouGov using representative online panels in each country. The findings described in the report below represent the headline findings from the preliminary analyses of the responses.

More detailed analyses and results will be reported in future peer-reviewed papers and publications, including the preferences of health-related policy interventions and concerns for marine threats.

Full citation

H2020 SOPHIE Consortium (2020) Citizens and the Sea. Public perceptions of Oceans and Human Health: A 14-country pan-European citizen survey. H2020 SOPHIE Project. Ostend, Belgium.

Project partners involved

Seascape Belgium

Seascape Belgium

National University of Ireland, Galway

National University of Ireland, Galway

University of Exeter

University of Exeter

European Marine Board

European Marine Board

Oonagh McMeel

Oonagh McMeel

Seascape Senior Project Officer

Jan-Bart Calewaert

Jan-Bart Calewaert

MD, Seascape Belgium

Nathalie Tonné

Nathalie Tonné

Seascape Project Officer

Sophie Davison

Sophie Davison

PhD Student

Beth Roberts

Beth Roberts

Ecologist

Mathew White

Mathew White

Environmental Psychologist

Lora E Fleming

Lora E Fleming

Professor of Oceans and Human Health

Easkey Britton

Easkey Britton

Marine Social Scientist

Patricia McHugh

Patricia McHugh

Behavioural Change Expert

Christine Domegan

Christine Domegan

Behavioural Change Expert

Paula Kellett

Paula Kellett

Science Officer

Related content

Activities

SOPHIE Survey

This pan-European survey aimed to improve our understanding of the European public’s beliefs about how marine issues affect human health and wellbeing.

Activities

Citizen Science Program

This project has created awareness of Oceans and Human Health issues in the tourism industry.

Resources: Reports

Data Management Plan

The Data Management Plan is a continuously updated ‘living’ document that describes how data generated in the SOPHIE project is handled.

Resources: Leaflets and posters

SOPHIE conference poster

This poster provides a brief overview of the Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe project. It is designed to be used at conferences and events.