Healthy oceans and marine ecosystem services underpin the ocean economy, and provide critical support functions upon which human health and well-being depend. They cover 70 per cent of the planet and provide food, energy and water. The ocean absorbs around one quarter of the world’s annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, thereby mitigating climate change and alleviating its impacts.

Ocean and marine resources are under severe pressure from human activities, notably over-exploitation of fish and other marine resources, habitat destruction, invasive alien species, pollution and climate change. Making it essential to conserve and sustainably use them.