Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean's influence on people--and people's influence on the ocean. The original purpose of the Ocean Literacy Campaign was to address the lack of ocean-related content in state and national science education standards, instructional materials, and assessments. The Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts described in Version 3.2 of this guide represent content that does not always fall neatly within traditional science disciplines, but rather supports a systems science approach. Many Fundamental Concepts illustrate more than one Essential Principle. This demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of ocean sciences. Educators can use the Ocean Literacy Framework to fulfill and go beyond the Next Generation Science Standards. It provides a vision for a coherent progression of learning about the ocean from the earliest grades up through integrated science courses at middle and high school, and even into college. [Numerous individuals, institutions, and organizations have made substantial contributions to the development, review, and promotion of additional components of the Ocean Literacy Framework including the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE), the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA), the College of Exploration, the Lawrence Hall of Science, and Sea Grant.]