Life below water
Healthy oceans and seas are essential to our existence. Covering 70 percent of our planet, they provide crucial resources such as food, energy, and water. However, our activities have caused significant damage to these invaluable ecosystems. To safeguard them, we must tackle pollution, halt overfishing, and implement effective management practices to protect marine life globally.
Goal 14 is founded on the principle that oceans are critical to climate regulation, biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods, yet are among the least effectively governed global commons. It addresses overfishing, marine pollution, habitat destruction, and climate-related impacts such as ocean acidification.
Key topics include illegal fishing, plastic pollution, coastal ecosystem protection, sustainable fisheries, and equitable access for small-scale fishers. Structural challenges include weak enforcement, fragmented governance, and competing economic interests.
Institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and UNESCO provide oversight, while NGOs including Sea Shepherd and Oceana contribute monitoring and advocacy.
Marine protected areas have expanded, and the High Seas Treaty has marked a governance milestone. However, biodiversity loss continues. World Oceans Day (8 June) anchors debate.
GSN links ocean degradation to trade, food systems, and international regulation.
Voices of the High Seas for Colombia: youth, ocean governance, and the right to shape our blue future
Plastic Oceans International and the politics of turning film into action
Governing the ocean when the ocean has no owner
Science begins before the laboratory
The continent without youth that shapes the future of all
Young scientist’s hydrogel breakthrough offers hope against microplastic pollution
Youth, innovation, and ocean literacy as the foundation of a regenerative blue economy
Electra and her calf: 239 days that changed the tide
Join Clean Coasts’ Big Beach Clean 2025 and take action against marine litter
Seaweed and shellfish farms: new vision to a regenerative future for coastal communities
Argentine deep-sea expedition captivates millions with live ocean extraordinary discoveries
Marine protected areas: connecting hope
Coral reefs bleaching crisis: scale of the problem
Caribbean marine ecosystems: PROCARIBE+ drives sustainable restoration
Sharks: Turning fear into memory
The funding shortfall threatens marine conservation goals
From the Caribbean to Nice: The school of fish effect of ocean youth
Open letter: A call to celebrate and advance ocean education on 21 May
A global call for the oceans: Leading the campaign for ratification of the High Seas Treaty
The evolution of marine biomass: Past, present, and future of fish in the oceans
The OceanLove Innovation Awards: A global effort towards ocean conservation and sustainability
Illegal fishing and human rights: The dark side of the global fishing industry
Marine biodiversity protection in the atlantic ocean
Catastrophic coral bleaching in the great barrier reef: A global call to action
Whale fall: An essential ecological phenomenon for marine biodiversity
Marine conservation through the High Seas Alliance
Oyster reefs: Nature's unsung marine guardians
Art meets activism: Sea Walls bringing ocean conservation to the streets
Antarctica: Ecosystem at risk from invasive species on debris
Whaling and the sustainable development goals: An ongoing dilemma
Experiencing sustainability: A workshop by the Global Society Institute with Sabrina Förster
Sustainable aquaculture: Akvaplan niva's breakthrough in climate neutral fish feed
The Ocean Matcher: Revolutionizing ocean funding
The SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga whale sanctuary
Celebrating World Oceans Day: The importance of our oceans
Blue whale population rebounds after decades of decline
Companies invest in ecosystem restoration
Marine conservation: Sea Shepherd
Underwater painting: Coral Carnival
Reviving reefs
Honoring marine heroes
Human-gray whale collaboration fosters long-term development.
Ocean plastic goes sunglasses
Regular fishers are sustainable: Blue Ventures' quest to transform coastal conservation
The Ocean Foundation: What do you want to do for the ocean?
Blue Action Fund: a lifeline for the ocean
Emily Penn: a passionate hero fighting for the oceans
Carbon lock-up in the kelp forest
New livestream map revolutionizes ocean conservation efforts
Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing – World Oceans Day 2023
TARGETS
Everyone can contribute to achieving the Global Goals. By focusing on these targets, meaningful action can be taken to create significant impacts across various areas. This approach encourages collaboration and collective efforts to address critical issues, ensuring that no one is left behind.
REDUCE MARINE POLLUTION
By 2025, we aim to prevent and significantly reduce all types of marine pollution, with a particular focus on pollution from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
PROTECT AND RESTORE ECOSYSTEMS
By 2020, we must sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to prevent significant adverse impacts. This includes strengthening their resilience and taking action for their restoration to ensure healthy and productive oceans.
REDUCE OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
Minimise and address the impacts of ocean acidification by enhancing scientific cooperation at all levels.
SUSTAINABLE FISHING
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, as well as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, along with destructive fishing practices. Implement science-based management plans to restore fish stocks to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield, based on their biological characteristics, within the shortest feasible timeframe.
CONSERVE COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS
By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, in accordance with national and international laws and based on the best available scientific information.
END SUBSIDIES CONTRIBUTING TO OVERFISHING
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that promote illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and avoid introducing new subsidies of this nature. Recognise that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization's negotiations on fisheries subsidies.
INCREASE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE RESOURCES
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small island developing states and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources. This includes promoting sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism.
INCREASE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY FOR OCEAN HEALTH
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity, and transfer marine technology, in line with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission's Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology. This aims to improve ocean health and enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, especially small island developing states and least developed countries.
SUPPORT SMALL SCALE FISHERS
Provide small-scale artisanal fishers with access to marine resources and markets.
IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE INTERNATIONAL SEA LAW
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This convention provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as referenced in paragraph 158 of "The Future We Want."