SDG 14: Life Below Water
The oceans are fundamental to life as we know it on this planet, covering 70% of Earth’s land area. While many of us associate oceans with beauty and leisure, they actually play many critical planetary functions. Before we dive into the targets, let me go over just a few of these functions (Ocean Conservation Trust):
Plankton and aquatic plants in the ocean provide 50% of the oxygen we use to breathe and live.
The ocean is a crucial part of our global weather, climate and temperature regulations systems. 98% of the heat from the sun is absorbed by the Ocean. This heat is then moved around the earth via currents.
The ocean plays a key role in the water cycle. According to the ocean conversation trust, when the sun shines and the warm currents heat the Ocean, and water evaporates. This not only forms clouds but also increases the air temperature and the humidity, creating weather. The clouds then get blown back over the land where it rains, and this water is used by every living thing on the planet before making its way back to the Ocean. Without this process, most of our planet would be desert.
The ocean is a crucial source of food for people and animals. The Ocean provides protein to nearly 3 billion humans every year.
In addition to these fundamental life systems, the ocean is also a massive part of our global economy. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates oceans contribute $70 trillion to global gross domestic product (GDP) annually (Reuters).
Target 14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
What it means
To begin understanding marine pollution, let’s look to the two specific elements that are mentioned in the target - marine debris and nutrient pollution.
According to the US National Ocean Service, marine debris refers to any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into a marine environment. Marine debris includes everything from trash like cans and plastic bags to fishing gear or capsized naval vessels. It is associated with a number of environmental, economic, safety, health and cultural issues including injuring and killing marine life, interfering with navigation safety, and posing threats to human health. Marine debris is measured by plastic debris density.
Nutrient pollution is when too many nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, are added to bodies of water and act like fertilizer, causing excessive growth of algae. (NOAA) This happens due to runoff of fertilizers, detergents, and sewage. The primary sources of nutrient pollution are fertilizers, animal manure, sewage treatment plant discharge, detergents, storm water runoff, cars and power plants, failing septic tanks and pet waste. Nutrient pollution causes eutrophication in which fertilizer leads to excess algae growth. Severe algal growth blocks light that is needed for plants, such as seagrasses, to grow. When the algae and seagrass die, they decay. In the process of decay, the oxygen in the water is used up and this leads to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. This leads to a condition called hypoxia which effectively creates dead zones and can kill fish, crabs, oysters, and other aquatic animals. Nutrient pollution is measured by an index of coastal eutrophication which is based on loads and ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus and silica delivered by rivers to coastal waters.
Where we are currently
Unfortunately, when it comes to marine pollution, it appears that things are progressively getting worse.
80% of marine debris in the ocean comes from plastic pollution. Around 0.5% of the plastic waste we produce ends up in the ocean, this equates to one to two million tonnes of plastic entering our oceans yearly, although I will note that I found a range of figures here, some as high as 8 million tonnes per year (Our World in Data). It is estimated that there are about 50-75 trillion pieces of plastic currently in the ocean (UNESCO) Unfortunately, these rates are not slowing down. Recent studies assert that without urgent policy action, the rate at which plastics enter the oceans could increase by around 2.6 times between now and 2040.
Looking at nutrient pollution, worldwide, the number of coastal areas impacted by eutrophication caused by excess nutrients stands at over 500. Recent coastal surveys by the United States and the European Union found that 78% of U.S coastal waters and 65% of Europe’s Atlantic coastal waters exhibit symptoms of eutrophication (Frontiers). Dead zones in the world’s oceans have increased from 10 cases in 1960 to 405 documented cases in 2008 (169 identified hypoxic areas, 233 areas of concern and 13 systems in recovery (UNEP).
Target 14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
What it means
This target is focused on management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems. Marine conservation is the protection and preservation of ecosystems in oceans and seas through planned management in order to prevent the over-exploitation of these marine resources. It is measured by the share of coastal and marine areas that are protected, specifically looking at the number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas. Ecosystem-based approaches consider the connections within an ecosystem, focusing on the importance of ecological integrity, biodiversity, social and economic factors and overall ecosystem health (Our World in Data).
Where we are currently
There is very little data available about how many countries are using these approaches, Our World in Data has tracked about 15 but notes huge data gaps.
Target 14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
What it means
Ocean acidification is the process of decreasing pH of the ocean due to elevated levels of CO2 in our atmosphere. According to NOAA, the ocean absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide that is released in the atmosphere. As levels of atmospheric CO2 increase from human activity such as burning fossil fuels (e.g., car emissions) and changing land use (e.g., deforestation), the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean also increases, rendering the ocean more acidic (NOAA).
The IAEA explains the threat of this process as a two-fold challenge: higher acidity and lower availability of carbonate ions. Calcifying organisms – such as oysters, crabs, sea urchins, lobsters and coral – need carbonate ions to build and maintain their shells and skeletons. And studies suggest marine shells and skeletons may dissolve more easily as pH decreases. Energy spent by marine organisms overcoming more acidic conditions reduces the energy available for physiological processes, such as reproduction and growth, threatening the stability of food chains.
Where we are currently
Between 1950 and 2020, the average pH of the ocean surface fell from approximately 8.15 to 8.05 (South West Michigan College). This may not seem like a lot but the pH scale is logarithmic, so this change represents approximately a 30 percent increase in acidity.
We are already seeing the tangible impacts of this globally. For example, the world has lost about 14% of its coral reefs since 2009 (Chicago Policy Review).
Target 14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
What it means
This target looks at fish stocks. It is measured by the proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels. But how do we define a biologically sustainable level? Fish stocks are classified as "within biologically sustainable levels" if their abundance is estimated to be equal to or greater than the level that can produce the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). The MSY is the largest long-term average catch that can be taken from a fish stock under prevailing environmental and fishery conditions. Fish stocks become overexploited when fish are caught at a rate higher than the population can support (Our World in Data).
Where we are currently
The world produces around 200 million tonnes of fish and seafood every year. This comes from a combination of wild fish catch and fish farming. The demand for fish is twice the estimated supply of sustainably caught wild fish. According to the World Bank, almost 90 percent of global marine fish stocks are now fully exploited or overfished. If we want to just look at overfishing,
the number of overfished stocks globally has tripled in half a century and today fully one-third of the world's assessed fisheries are currently pushed beyond their biological limits (WWF). In addition more than one-third of all sharks, rays, and chimaeras are now at risk of extinction because of overfishing, according to the IUCN.
The situation is worse in low-income and middle-income countries, where weak regulation and enforcement have produced above-average declines. Illegal fishing constitutes an additional challenge, as it accounts for around 20 percent of the global catch, undermining the efforts of both small and large fishing enterprises to implement sustainable fishing regimes and making it harder for well-managed fisheries to compete in international markets by undercutting fair pricing (World Bank). We will get into fishery subsidies further in Target 14.6.
Target 14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
What it means
This is one of those targets that is a holdover from the Aichi Biodiversity targets. I have talked about this in previous videos but as a quick refresher, the global community set a group of biodiversity targets in 2010 that are referred to as the Aichi Biodiversity targets (CBD). All of these targets were meant to be met by 2020, so when the SDGs came along, governments decided to incorporate these targets into the SDG framework. That is why there are a few random 2020 focused targets in some of the biodiversity-focused SDGs. Since the SDGs adoption, the global community has also reached another multilateral environmental agreement referred to as the Global Biodiversity Framework or the GBF at the end of 2022 (CBD). The GBF calls for 30% protection of the oceans by 2030.
There are a variety of approaches and theories around good biodiversity conservation. From my research, I found some of the key objectives of the conservation are to: 1) preserve the diversity of species 2) obtain sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems 3) maintain life-supporting systems and essential ecological processes (BYJUS).
Where we are currently
Sadly and unsurprisingly, we did not hit the 10% by 2020 coastal and marine conservation goal. It is estimated that today roughly 7% of the world’s ocean is under some form of marine protection, but according to the Marine Conservation Institute, less than 3% of the ocean is considered “fully” or “highly” protected. However, this number varies greatly depending on the country. Some countries have a great deal of territorial waters that are protected - for example France and Kazakhstan protect about 50% - whereas others are barely protecting any of their territorial waters - for example Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana protect less than 0.1%. There is a great interactive map I will include in the blog post in case you want to have a look at how your country is doing on conservation (Our World in Data).
Target 14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
What it means & Where we are currently
As you can tell by the reference to 2020 in this target, this is another holdover from the Aichi Targets. This target calls for a global agreement that prohibits subsidies for certain harmful forms of fishing by 2020. I am happy to report that the World Trade Organization did in fact reach a fisheries subsidy agreement in June 2022 but unfortunately, it has not yet come into force as it is waiting on the two thirds of WTO member states to adopt it, this would be 109 states and so far only 52 have actually adopted it.
Regardless, this deal was historic. The International Institute for Sustainable Development points out that the fishery subsidies deal is the first WTO agreement focused on sustainability and the second multilateral agreement reached in the organization’s almost 3 decades of existence.
The agreement prohibits subsidies in the situations where concerns about the sustainability of fishing activities are the clearest: (1) when illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities have been identified; (2) when the health of fish stocks is assessed and their biomass is determined to be at alarmingly low levels; and (3) when fishing occurs in unregulated high seas fisheries, meaning that no entity has competence for managing stocks sustainably.
Let’s hope more countries sign on and this comes into force rapidly.
Target 14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
What it means
According to UNCTAD, fish trade contributes between 0.5 and 3 per cent of GDP depending on the country. LDCs and SIDS are the two country groups where the contribution to GDP of fisheries is highest, in some fisheries can contribute as much as 10 per cent or more of GDP and fish consumption accounts for up to 90 per cent of animal protein in their populations’ diet. In addition, coastal and marine tourism accounts for over 50% of the global tourism industry (WRI). These are crucial economic development activities and this target aims to increase the benefits in SIDS and LDCs, and to generally enhance the sustainable management of these activities.
It is measured by sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries, and unfortunately the contribution of sustainable fisheries to GDP is declining worldwide, with the largest drops noted in least developed countries according to the FAO.
Where we are currently
Growing economies and declining fish stocks have led to a lower contribution of sustainable fisheries to GDP at the global level. Having risen slightly between 2015 and 2017, the value fell again by 6 percent in 2019. In SIDS and LDCs, sustainable fisheries’ contribution fell to 0.5 percent and 0.7 percent of GDP, respectively. However, you have to dig into the data to get the full picture. This decline was largely because of economic growth in other sectors, which reduced the relative importance of fisheries. At the same time, the added value of the fisheries sector has increased consistently, by several percentage points year on year. This has led to a positive trend in the contribution of sustainable fisheries in regions such as West Africa.
Means of Implementation
Target 14.A : Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Target 14.B : Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Target 14.C: Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
Keep Learning
Here are a few great resources for further reading and learning:
Goal 14 Overview (2024, United Nations)
SDG Tracker (2024, Our World in Data)
UN Oceans (2024, United Nations)