The ocean is our life source, producing over 50% of our oxygen, feeding billions, and regulating our climate. Yet, it's under threat from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. We are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. This World Oceans Day (8 June), under the theme " Wonder: Sustaining what sustains us", we are invited to take action, protect the ocean, and be inspired by its beauty, mystery, and vital role on Earth. Let's restore balance together.
Fisheries are crucial for food, employment, and economic well-being globally. As populations and hunger rise, fish has become essential for food security. However, it is estimated that 1 in every 5 fish caught comes from fishing, accounting for a loss of 11–26 million tonnes of fish annually. To help curb this trend, promotes sustainable practices through its voluntary and the binding . On the International Day for the Fight against Illegal Fishing, let’s remember that we all play a part in this effort.
Every year, and a million seabirds, but the is developing innovative, low-cost technologies to tackle plastic pollution at its source, aiming to prevent further environmental damage.
Research has found plastic waste makes up , and microplastics were found in every marine turtle, over half of all whales, and a third of seals.
with human activity starts by bringing together scientists, policymakers, and communities to sustainably share the sea.
with human activity starts by bringing together scientists, policymakers, and communities to sustainably share the sea.
Since the UN designated May 2 as World Tuna Day to highlight the importance of responsible tuna fishing, significant progress has been made. In 2017, only 75% of catch came from sustainable tuna stocks; today, that figure exceeds 90%. This recovery is the result of coordinated efforts by governments, fisheries organizations, scientists, and fishers, supported by the . However, vigilance remains essential. Climate change, bycatch, and other challenges persist. Global cooperation is key to securing truly sustainable tuna fisheries and preparing for what lies ahead.
Over half of our planet lies in the ocean's depths, a vast and mysterious world that remains largely unexplored. As part of the #OceanDecade, scientists worldwide are accelerating efforts to , crucial for its protection and sustainability.
The Mesoamerican Reef, spanning 1,000 km across four countries, is under threat from climate change and pollution, prompting initiatives like , which supports local businesses and conservation efforts to preserve this vital ecosystem.
Understanding the ocean is critical for protecting our climate, sustaining biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of over 3 billion people.
Three-quarters of seafloor remains unmapped, and hundreds of thousands of marine species are yet to be identified, reminding us that the ocean is one of the least understood parts of our planet. Over are deepening our understanding of this vital system and safeguard its future.
Marine biodiversity is vital for a healthy ocean and initiatives like Marine Life 2030 and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs are working to protect and restore it from various threats.
The "" initiative transforms fish waste into valuable livestock feed and soil amendments, supporting local farmers and processors while advancing sustainable development and fisheries policy.
Over 65 million people along the Western Indian Ocean's coastline rely on its marine ecosystem for their livelihoods. In addition, this region is home to between 11,000 and 20,000 marine species, many of which can be found nowhere else on Earth. However, this rich ecosystem is threatened by climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The Eleventh to the Nairobi Convention (August 20-22, Madagascar) is a crucial decision-making forum in enhancing ongoing efforts to protect, manage, and develop the Western Indian Ocean region.
The ocean's challenges are immense and no single nation or sector can tackle them alone. Three years into the , it is time to address key questions about its progress: What have been the main achievements since the launch of the Decade? What should be the key areas for action in the coming years? The , taking place in Barcelona (10-12 April), aims to enhance sustainable ocean management and foster science-driven innovation, with an inclusive approach that ensures no one is left behind.
“I believe fundamentally that nations have to work together to solve these big environmental crises, you cannot solve them on your own.â€
Lewis Pugh was never afraid to take the plunge. Now ocean advocate for the United Nations Environment Programme, the record-breaking cold-water swimmer has completed long distance swims at both of the Earth’s Poles, in the Red Sea, and along the length of the Hudson River, to spread a message of habitat renewal and conservation.
Healthy oceans, seas and rivers are essential to supporting life on Earth - providing food, medicine, and acting as the world’s largest carbon sink. In this episode of Awake at Night, Lewis Pugh reflects on his love for the water, on his breathtaking swims, and onbreaking the diplomatic ice to create the world’s largest marine park.
International shipping transports more than 80% of global trade goods to people and communities all over the world. It is the most efficient and cost-effective method of transporting goods, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples. World Maritime Day's theme for this year, , spotlights the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which covers the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.