10 Steps Needed for Ocean Action Now – Time Magazine

Report on the United Nations Ocean Conference and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation

Introduction

The recent United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, gathered global leaders to address escalating threats to marine environments. Key achievements included commitments to reduce toxic discharges into oceans and new financial pledges to support ocean economies. As emphasized by Peter Thomson, the UN Special Envoy for the Ocean, the critical challenge lies not only in conference outcomes but in subsequent actions.

Current Tools and Challenges for Ocean Sustainability

Scientific research and extensive experience provide effective methods to restore coral reefs, manage fisheries sustainably, and prevent harmful runoff such as fertilizers and untreated sewage from polluting marine ecosystems. The primary obstacle is not complexity but the execution of these solutions.

Broad participation and focus on immediate, actionable steps are essential. While heads of state, ministers, NGOs, and scientists actively participated, increased involvement from business leaders is crucial. The ocean supports biodiversity, food systems, and global shipping routes vital to all companies. Failure to protect the ocean threatens all sectors.

Role of the Private Sector and Public-Private Partnerships

The private sector must engage as partners and drivers of scalable solutions, beyond funding and advocacy. Public-private alliances are vital to transform proven ocean solutions into tangible results. Examples include:

• Friends of Ocean Action: A coalition accelerating ocean solutions and monitoring progress on global goals.
• Florida Keys Environmental Coalition: Focused on protecting marine ecosystems and enhancing water quality in vulnerable coastal regions.

Emerging Trends in Ocean Economy and Innovation

A new generation of ecopreneurs is addressing ocean challenges profitably. At the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, investors pledged $10 billion in “blue finance” to expand the ocean economy. The 1000 Ocean Startups coalition has raised over $4 billion to fund ventures tackling issues such as seaweed farming, microplastic filtration, and wind-powered transport.

Strategic Steps Toward Ocean Sustainability (Aligned with SDGs)

Building on a previously outlined blueprint for coral reef recovery, the following ten steps are proposed to advance marine conservation and sustainable use by the next UN Ocean Conference in 2028:

1. Strengthen U.S. Fisheries
   End industrial-scale reduction fishing and midwater trawling for forage fish to protect marine food chains, support fishermen, and enhance ecosystem resilience. (Supports SDG 14: Life Below Water)
2. Solve the Tijuana River Crisis
   Implement floodgates and improve oversight of sewage treatment to prevent billions of gallons of raw sewage and industrial waste from polluting U.S. waters, safeguarding ecosystems and public health. (Supports SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 14)
3. Make Ocean Polluters Pay
   Enforce transparent regulations and the “polluter pays” principle to prevent pollutants from entering oceans, ensuring accountability and reducing industrial and pharmaceutical waste. (Supports SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 14)
4. Adopt a Balanced Approach to Marine Protected Areas
   Develop and maintain ocean parks that support tourism, geopolitical presence, and fish stock recovery, with sustained investment and public-private partnerships for conservation efforts. (Supports SDG 14)
5. Extend Marine Debris Programs
   Reauthorize and expand targeted cleanups to reduce plastic pollution, benefiting fisheries, wildlife, and coastal communities. (Supports SDG 14; SDG 15: Life on Land)
6. Restore Coastal Ecosystems
   Invest in restoration of mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and salt marshes as natural defenses against storms, enhancing biodiversity and climate resilience. (Supports SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 14)
7. Shrink the Gulf Dead Zone
   Support farmers in adopting pollution-reducing techniques to decrease nutrient runoff causing low-oxygen zones that harm fisheries. (Supports SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 14)
8. Leverage American Innovation to Avoid Ocean Mining
   Promote entrepreneurship and technology to reduce reliance on ocean mining for critical minerals, protecting fisheries and seafood safety. (Supports SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 14)
9. Address the Sargassum Crisis
   Coordinate cleanup efforts and reduce nutrient runoff near West Africa and the Amazon to control massive seaweed blooms affecting U.S. coastal regions. (Supports SDG 14)
10. Stop Sewage Pollution Killing Coral Reefs
    Upgrade infrastructure and control runoff to prevent poisoning of coral reefs that sustain tourism, fisheries, and coastal communities. (Supports SDG 6; SDG 14)

Conclusion

Focusing on achievable and measurable actions is essential to secure thriving oceans that support American jobs, coastal communities, and national security. Implementing these steps will restore vital marine ecosystems and contribute significantly to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water, while reinforcing interconnected goals such as clean water, climate action, and sustainable economic growth.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article focuses extensively on ocean health, marine ecosystems, fisheries management, marine pollution, and marine protected areas.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article discusses pollution control, the “polluter pays” principle, and sustainable industrial practices.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action – Restoration of coastal ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs as natural defenses against storms relates to climate resilience.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Emphasis on public-private partnerships, alliances, and multi-sector cooperation to achieve ocean sustainability.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • Target 14.4: Effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing to restore fish stocks.
   • Target 14.5: Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas through marine protected areas.
   • Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, research and technology for ocean health.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes to reduce their release to air, water and soil.
   • Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and sustainability reporting.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 14 Indicators
   • Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density – implied by efforts to reduce nutrient runoff and plastic pollution.
   • Indicator 14.4.1: Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels – linked to managing forage fish and ending industrial-scale reduction fishing.
   • Indicator 14.5.1: Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas – related to establishing and maintaining marine protected areas like Papahānaumokuākea.
   • Indicator 14.a.1: Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology – implied by innovation and scientific efforts mentioned.
2. SDG 12 Indicators
   • Indicator 12.4.2: Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated – related to controlling industrial and pharmaceutical waste discharge.
   • Indicator 12.6.1: Number of companies publishing sustainability reports – implied by calls for transparency and “polluter pays” principles.
3. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Indicator 13.1.2: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies – linked to restoration of coastal ecosystems as natural disaster defenses.
4. SDG 17 Indicators
   • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships – connected to financing commitments and alliances like Friends of Ocean Action.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: time.com