10 Steps Needed for Ocean Action Now – Time Magazine

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

Introduction

The recent United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, gathered global leaders to address escalating threats to the oceans. Key achievements included commitments to reduce toxic discharges into marine environments 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 in the conference itself but in the actions taken thereafter.

Current Tools and Challenges

Scientific research and extensive experience have identified effective strategies to restore coral reefs, sustainably manage fisheries, and prevent pollutants such as fertilizers and untreated sewage from entering the oceans. The issue is not complexity but rather the execution of these solutions. Broad participation and immediate, actionable steps are essential to translate pledges into tangible outcomes.

Role of Stakeholders

• Government and NGOs: High-level participation from heads of state, ministers, non-governmental organizations, and scientists has been significant.
• Private Sector: Greater involvement of business leaders is necessary, as all companies depend on ocean biodiversity, food systems, and shipping routes. The private sector must act as partners and drivers of scalable solutions.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Initiatives such as Friends of Ocean Action and the Florida Keys Environmental Coalition demonstrate successful collaboration to accelerate ocean solutions and protect marine ecosystems.

Innovation and Finance in the Blue Economy

The rise of ecopreneurs and innovative startups is fostering profitable solutions to ocean challenges. 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 support ventures addressing issues like seaweed farming, microplastic filtration, and wind-powered transport.

Strategic Actions for Ocean Sustainability

Building on a previously outlined blueprint for coral reef recovery, the following ten steps are recommended to advance ocean health and align with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):

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 marine resilience.

2. Solve the Tijuana River Crisis

   Implement floodgates and improve oversight of wastewater treatment to prevent billions of gallons of raw sewage and industrial waste from polluting U.S. waters, safeguarding ecosystems and public health.

3. Make Ocean Polluters Pay

   Adopt strict regulations, transparent reporting, and enforce the “polluter pays” principle to prevent industrial and pharmaceutical waste from entering the ocean.

4. Adopt a Balanced Approach to Marine Protected Areas

   Develop and maintain well-managed ocean parks that support tourism, increase fish stocks, and enhance geopolitical presence, with ongoing investment and public-private partnerships.

5. Extend Marine Debris Programs

   Reauthorize and expand targeted cleanups and pollution reduction efforts to protect fisheries, wildlife, and coastal communities.

6. Restore Coastal Ecosystems

   Invest in the restoration of mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and salt marshes as natural defenses against hurricanes and to protect ocean-front infrastructure.

7. Shrink the Gulf Dead Zone

   Support agricultural practices that reduce nutrient runoff, thereby preventing low-oxygen zones that threaten Gulf fisheries.

8. Leverage American Innovation

   Promote entrepreneurship and technological advancements to decrease reliance on ocean mining for critical minerals, preserving marine ecosystems and national security.

9. Address the Sargassum Crisis

   Coordinate cleanup efforts and reduce nutrient runoff near West Africa and the Amazon to mitigate massive seaweed blooms affecting U.S. coastal regions.

10. Stop Sewage Pollution Killing Coral Reefs

    Upgrade infrastructure and control runoff to prevent contamination of coral reefs, which are vital for tourism, fisheries, and coastal communities.

Conclusion

Focusing on achievable and measurable goals through smart, common-sense actions can secure thriving oceans that support American jobs, coastal communities, and national security. These efforts contribute directly to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), ensuring the restoration and preservation of vital marine ecosystems for future generations.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article focuses extensively on ocean conservation, marine ecosystems, fisheries management, pollution control, and marine protected areas, all central to SDG 14.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Emphasis on reducing pollution, making polluters pay, and managing waste aligns with sustainable consumption and production patterns.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Restoration of coastal ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs as natural defenses against storms relates to climate resilience and adaptation.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights the need for public-private partnerships and multi-sector collaboration to achieve ocean conservation goals.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 14 Targets
   • 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
   • 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • 14.4: Effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
   • 14.5: Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas through marine protected areas.
   • 14.7: Increase economic benefits to small island developing states and least developed countries from sustainable use of marine resources.
2. SDG 12 Targets
   • 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
   • 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
3. SDG 13 Targets
   • 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
4. SDG 17 Targets
   • 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators for SDG 14
   • Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels (14.4.1) – implied through calls to end industrial-scale reduction fishing and manage forage fish sustainably.
   • Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas (14.5.1) – implied through discussion of marine protected areas like Papahānaumokuākea.
   • Concentration of key pollutants in marine ecosystems – implied by the focus on reducing toxins, sewage, and plastic pollution.
2. Indicators for SDG 12
   • Number of companies publishing sustainability reports and pollutant discharge data – implied by calls for transparency and “polluter pays” principles.
   • Amount of waste reduced or cleaned up from marine environments – implied through marine debris cleanup programs.
3. Indicators for SDG 13
   • Area of coastal ecosystems restored (mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds) – implied by restoration efforts mentioned.
   • Reduction in frequency and impact of climate-related hazards on coastal communities – implied through natural hurricane defenses.
4. Indicators for SDG 17
   • Number and effectiveness of public-private partnerships for ocean conservation – implied by references to Friends of Ocean Action and other alliances.
   • Amount of finance mobilized for ocean economy and conservation – implied by $10 billion in blue finance commitments and $4 billion raised by ocean startups.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: time.com