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Marine and fisheries research play a crucial role in addressing complex challenges related to sustainable resource management, climate change, and ecosystem health. To tackle these multifaceted issues, researchers increasingly recognize the need for inter- and transdisciplinary approaches that integrate diverse perspectives from scientific disciplines and knowledge systems (Nyboer et al., 2023). 

Sound is a persistent yet dynamic component of the marine environment, reflecting both physical and biological properties. Whereas light can only travel tens of meters in the ocean, sound is able to travel tens to thousands of kilometers under certain conditions, revealing information at specific times and places. In addition, underwater sound provides opportunities for sustainable development and blue economy growth that aren’t readily available with other technologies. For example, the melting rate of Arctic ice and the health of coral reefs can be estimated from acoustic measurements (Becker et al., 2023). However, underwater acoustics is a complex topic, requiring specialized education and equipment. To expand the capacity of underwater acousticians requires dedicated educational opportunities and low-cost equipment and analysis resources. 

Capacity sharing in the ocean sciences is essential for addressing pressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainable stewardship of marine ecosystems. This article focuses on three important capacity-sharing programs operating in Africa: Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Africa, Citizen Observation of Local Litter in Coastal Ecosystems (COLLECT) (a project of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean), and Mundus Maris Africa. ECOP Africa, a pioneering platform for early career ocean professionals, emphasizes mentorship, training, and knowledge exchange to empower young marine scientists across the continent. Through dynamic programs and events, ECOP Africa is catalyzing interdisciplinary collaboration and inspiring the next generation of ocean leaders. Similarly, COLLECT leverages citizen science to tackle plastic pollution in coastal environments. By training secondary school students as “citizen scientists,” COLLECT has not only generated critical data on the distribution and abundance of coastal debris but also fostered environmental awareness and local engagement. These initiatives demonstrate the power of inclusive, community-driven approaches to capacity sharing in the ocean sciences. They highlight the transformative potential of combining open science, education, and international collaboration to address global challenges such as plastic pollution and climate change while empowering local communities to take active roles in preserving their marine environments. 

The challenges facing the ocean and its resources have become increasingly complex and transboundary, requiring coordinated efforts for effective management and sustainable use. However, this coordination is currently hindered by the uneven distribution of capacity and equipment, particularly in developing regions. This article discusses project-based learning (PBL) as a pathway to transferring and sharing capacity in global ocean sciences. It highlights a successful PBL program, as well as challenges encountered and lessons learned. Addressing these obstacles is crucial for ensuring equity in solving issues that impact the ocean. 

The Coastal Ocean Environment Summer School In Nigeria and Ghana (COESSING; https://coessing.org) has been run for one week every year since 2015. The school, an endorsed project of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), has provided a platform for approximately 1,000 scientists from Africa, the United States, and Europe to exchange scientific knowledge, to network, to learn, and to collaborate. Our interdisciplinary, multicultural, and multi-institutional approach offers a model for knowledge exchange across the globe and across different educational levels.