Postcolonial Perspectives in Oceanic Studies

Postcolonial perspectives in oceanic studies examine how histories of empire, commerce and migration have shaped maritime environments, knowledge systems and governance regimes. Researchers draw on history, anthropology, geography and environmental humanities to uncover the legacies of colonial remapping of seas, the displacement of indigenous seafarers and the establishment of extractive industries that often masked local resistance and alternative epistemologies. Critical analyses trace how colonial cartography renamed and partitioned oceanic spaces, while foregrounding indigenous seascapes that embody enduring social, spiritual and ecological relationships with marine environments. Through decolonial methodologies, scholars amplify marginalised voices—from Pacific island communities and West African coastal societies to Arctic Inuit and South Asian fisherfolk—highlighting their marine stewardship and adaptive strategies amid climate change and global capitalism. Oceanic postcolonial research also interrogates modern legal frameworks, such as maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones, as continuations of imperial control that can undermine traditional marine tenure rights. By combining archival analysis, oral histories and participatory fieldwork, the field seeks practical outcomes in sustainable fisheries management, marine conservation and cultural heritage protection. Interdisciplinary collaborations extend beyond critique, proposing research models that centre local knowledge and foster more equitable ocean governance at regional and transnational scales.

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Postcolonial Perspectives in Oceanic Studies publication trend

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Technical terms

Decolonial methodology: Research approaches that prioritise indigenous knowledge, oral histories and local epistemologies to challenge colonial narratives.

Extractive zone: A maritime region defined by resource exploitation, where economic activities intersect with ecological and social systems under imperial or corporate control.

Cartographic imperialism: The practice of using maps and naming conventions to assert colonial authority and reshape perceived spatial hierarchies in maritime contexts.

Seascape: The cultural, ecological and social dimensions of marine environments as lived and experienced by coastal and island communities.

References

1. Maps and the Burdens of Belonging: Identity and Resistance in Gurnah’s By the Sea and Owuor’s The Dragonfly Sea. Open Library of Humanities (2024).
2. Between Whale Teeth and the Moral Uses of the Sea: Considering Religion in the US Whaling Industry’s Extractive Zone. Religions (2024).