Abstract Ocean science education and ocean literacy are overarching components of all Ocean Decade challenges. Educating the next generation of ocean scientists will help achieve Ocean Decade objectives, while increasing public ocean literacy will motivate citizens to engage in the ocean science enterprise. During the UN Ocean Decade, a coordinated flow of information among scientists, educators, policy makers, business leaders, and the public will help guide research priorities in addition to enhancing citizens' ocean literacy. Ocean literacy is about more than the acquisition of ocean science knowledge. It also relates to critical needs for citizens to become responsible in sustainably using the ocean and its resources. Society must gain scientific understanding of the ocean's responses to pressures and make management decisions that are fundamental for sustainable development of its resources. U.S. ocean science education, outreach, and communication initiatives have been greatly expanded since 2002 due to the work of the National Science Foundation-funded, national Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE; now the Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement) network. The infrastructure established by COSEE is well-poised to take on the establishment of a network of networks to forge U.S. leadership in robust international collaborations in support of Ocean Decade objectives.