They represent the biophysical "engines" of the world, covering 70 percent of its surface.
Dr. Arvind Kumar, President- India Water Foundation
Most of us fear that indeed our oceans are in crisis, at the edge of an ecological and cultural tipping point. The health of the ocean is so deeply related to human well-being in livelihoods, food security, and climate regulation. They represent the biophysical "engines" of the world, covering 70 percent of its surface. They are vital in maintaining life as they generate over 50% of oxygen in the earth through phytoplankton, kelp, and algae. The oceans act as the world's biggest carbon sink: they have more than 93% of the anthropogenically released heat while taking up over 25% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions every year. Indeed, traditions and practices are highly influenced by the oceans that give ecological roles and elements to be consumed by humans, in terms of energy and cultural identity.
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Why a call to action?
When it comes to ocean governance, SDG 14 – life below water – is a watershed moment in history. This goal emphasizes the importance of our oceans and seas globally and outlines principal threats to the marine environment. Protecting and restoring ecosystems, making fishing sustainable, eliminating harmful subsidies and lowering marine pollution and ocean acidification are some of the sub-targets of SDG 14. In addition to that, it is closely linked to other SDGs which depicts how ocean health interlinks with global well-being. However, pollution, overfishing, loss of biodiversity, and acidification pose risks that have not been heard of before in marine environments. Estimated values of marine ecosystem services put it at around USD 29.5 trillion annually, which is more than many nations' gross national product.
Therefore, the overall challenges that still exist in working towards Sustainable Development Goal 14 in 2024 are found in the following: Overfishing threatens food security, with 33.4% of global fish stocks overfished; marine pollution, where about 8 million tons of plastic enter oceans annually; ocean acidification, which has lowered pH by 30% since pre-industrial times, affecting habitats; and climate change, which puts pressure on coral reefs and diversity. Lack of international cooperation is one of the constraints where funding is only 175 billion dollars for ocean conservation and underdeveloped scientific research as well. Regionally, overfishing and pollution in Asia-Pacific, and lack of conservation capacity in Africa while Latin America faces problems regarding deforestation and coastal pollution. The interlinked threat of climate change, contamination, and over-fishings fuel a rise of ocean conservation efforts across the globe.
Navigating progress:
Indicator 14.4.1 denotes the global score in terms of the percentage of fish stocks overfished, as a percentage of maximum sustainable yield-based biomass, and it is headed dangerously south from 5 in 2022 to 4 in 2024. The horrible direction of the trend in global scores shows that there is a serious problem with the management of marine resources since only 54 percent of reporting countries have scored 5 in 2024. Plastic pollution in Asia and the Pacific region remains a concern; indeed, in 2022, Indonesia was the world's second-largest generator of plastic waste. It is acting with the establishment of 22 million hectares as marine protected areas. Europe and North America have shown the most success concerning SDG 14, more so due to effective fisheries management and huge marine protected areas. In regards to the top of the list concerning non-compliance with SDG, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark are at the top of attaining all or nearly all of the targets. The reporting on the least fishery sustainability is still coming from Oceania, but the recent show of interest by the Pacific SIDS marks a step in the right direction toward sustainable practices. Most of Sub-Saharan Africa struggles very greatly to meet the SDG 14 target, the character of which is low rates of reporting and illegal catches.
New initiatives for regional cooperation are promising for further developments. Small island developing states, which depend on sustainable fisheries, have signalled low compliance rates with the targets of SDG 14. However, some SIDS have made tremendous progress in promoting sustainable fishing practices. Such an example is the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Tuvalu. The Samoa pathway also emphasizes international cooperation; nearly 300 partnerships have been identified to support the SIDS efforts.
Should we have priorities within SDG priorities?
SDG 14 comprises the management and conservation of marine and coastal environments while incorporating multiple activities that are primarily carried out by using different management systems and among them, MPAs are most common. By 2024, the entire world's ocean will be protected by MPAs covering approximately 8.1 percent of the total. This is way beneath the international goal of preserving 30% of the ocean areas by 2030. It has to integrate nature-based solutions into economic planning and begin having a dialogue with its stakeholders, and then everyone could react. Scaling up funding in marine conservation and empowerment for local communities and indigenous peoples are in great need. Monitoring and changing things strategically is what is needed. There is alarming speed to increases in marine degradation, but of greater case in point has been the successful initiatives some 15 Small Island Developing States embarked upon and that is best illustrated in the Blue and Green Islands Integrated Programme. Innovation in a financial instrument for this type of project in marine conservation is a 'blue bond' granted by Seychelles, financing in its name private investment through ocean management. This is a success story for such ocean stewardship requiring a collaborative approach.
From innovative finance mechanisms and community involvement to international cooperation, the achievement of Goal 14 requires a holistic approach in order to improve the future of our oceans. Through policies of assimilation that provide both ecological integrity and economic sustainability, the lessons learned from very good case studies will guide the nations into better futures for our oceans.
About Author-
Dr Arvind Kumar, President, Founder of India Water Foundation is a strategist and key-influencer in the development sector with more than 30+ years of experience. He is an author, columnist, Water and Human Rights Pro-activist, and specializes in ecosystem-based adaptation, water-energy-food nexus, with specific emphasis on Transversality approach of inter-linkages between water, environment and SDGs. He is a Climate Policy Expert of Article 6.4 mechanism roster of experts of UNFCCC. He has published over 500+ research articles and is a Ph.D. in Defense Studies.
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