Marine conservation spaces have traditionally been, and remain, non-diverse environments with many barriers to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. These barriers disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

Overcoming these challenges requires promoting inclusive policies, supporting education and mentorship, fostering diverse research collaborations, advocating for change, creating safe spaces, integrating Indigenous knowledge, and continuously evaluating and adjusting strategies.

Supporting BIPOC entry into conservation spaces is crucial for enhancing innovation, cross-cultural exchange, and effective implementation of marine conservation policies.