Marine & Ocean Conservation

Overview

The ocean covers 71% of Earth's surface and is essential for climate regulation, biodiversity, and human economies. Yet marine ecosystems face unprecedented pressures from overfishing, pollution, acidification, and warming. Businesses have both impacts on and responsibilities toward ocean health.

Ocean Health Crisis

Current State

• Overfishing: 90% of large fish populations depleted
• Pollution: 8 million tonnes of plastic annually
• Warming: Ocean absorbing 90% of excess heat
• Acidification: 30% increase in ocean acidity
• Coral bleaching: Global reef decline

Business Impacts

Business Dependencies

Ecosystem Services

• Fisheries: Protein source, jobs
• Climate regulation: Carbon sequestration
• Coastal protection: Storm buffers
• Tourism: Recreation, income
• Medicines: Genetic resources

Material Risks

• Supply chain: Fish stock depletion
• Operational: Sea level rise, storms
• Regulatory: Fishing quotas, marine protected areas
• Reputational: Ocean pollution concerns

Ocean-Positive Strategies

For Companies

1. Sustainable Seafood

• Sourcing: MSC, ASC certified
• Traceability: Origin tracking
• Suppliers: Engage on sustainability
• Alternatives: Plant-based seafood

2. Pollution Prevention

• Plastic reduction: Less packaging
• Microplastics: Filtered effluent
• Chemicals: Reduced use
• Waste: Proper disposal

3. Coastal Protection

• Beach cleanups: Employee engagement
• Mangrove restoration: Blue carbon
• Coral reef: Protection and restoration
• Wetlands: Storm protection

4. Shipping

• Routes: Efficient navigation
• Fuel: Cleaner options
• Ballast water: Treatment
• Ports: Sustainable facilities

Blue Carbon

What Is Blue Carbon?

Carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems:

• Mangroves: 4-5x more carbon than terrestrial forests
• Seagrass meadows: Significant carbon sinks
• Salt marshes: Coastal carbon storage
• Ocean: Dissolved organic carbon

Business Opportunities

• Carbon credits: Blue carbon projects
• Restoration investment: Mangrove, seagrass
• Nature-based solutions: Coastal protection
• Climate mitigation: Carbon sequestration

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Definition

Areas of ocean designated for protection:

• Coverage target: 30% by 2030 (Global Biodiversity Framework)
• Current coverage: ~8% of ocean
• Effectiveness: Depends on enforcement

Business Role

• Compliance: Respect MPA boundaries
• Support: Conservation funding
• Engagement: Stakeholder participation
• Reporting: Disclosure of MPA interactions

Practical Guidance

For Companies

1. Assess ocean impacts: Supply chain and operations
2. Source sustainably: Certified seafood
3. Reduce pollution: Plastic, chemicals, waste
4. Support restoration: Blue carbon projects
5. Disclose: CDP Water, Ocean disclosure

Tools and Resources

• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): Sustainable fishing
• Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC): Responsible aquaculture
• Ocean Disclosure Project: Corporate ocean reporting
• Blue Carbon: Project methodologies

Key Takeaways

• Ocean health is critical for business and planet
• Multiple pressures threatening marine ecosystems
• Sustainable seafood is key opportunity
• Blue carbon offers mitigation and adaptation
• MPAs expanding globally
• Pollution prevention essential
• Ocean-positive is emerging focus

References

• TNFD · SBTN · IPBES · CBD — nature and biodiversity frameworks