OOSC Press Release – Nice, France – Thursday 5 June 2024 – Ahead of the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) next week, scientists at the One Ocean Science Congress are calling on Member States to take urgent and decisive action for the Ocean, guided by science.
Their 10 recommendations, developed by an International Scientific Committee over the course of a year, will be delivered to Heads of State and Government on Monday 8 June. Each recommendation features tangible measures which respond directly to the urgent climate and biodiversity crises and maximize the Ocean’s potential to provide climate solutions.
Actionable solutions grounded in Science
The Ocean absorbs 90% of excess heat in the atmosphere generated by human activity and carbon emissions, playing a critical role in regulating the planet’s climate. Rising water temperatures, acidification and oxygen loss, however, are deteriorating the Ocean and its regulation capabilities. This decline, alongside rising sea levels, threatens global infrastructure and life on Earth.
The One Ocean Science Congress gathered scientists in Nice between 3-6 June to deliver a roadmap for global action for the Ocean centered around 10 recommendations:
- Inspire Ocean stewardship through integrated knowledge
- Promote safe and equitable Ocean-based climate solutions
- Protect and restore marine and coastal ecosystems
- Pause harmful seabed uses and expand dee-sea knowledge for sustainability
- Equitably share marine genetic resource benefits.
- End illicit, unreported and unregulated fishing, and boost transparency.
- Build sustainable, equitable and safe Ocean-based food systems.
- End marine plastic pollution.
- Reduce CO2 emissions and impacts of shipping
- Invest in transdisciplinary knowledge for Ocean action
A global vision for a shared resource
Each year, 26 million tons of fish are caught illegally and between 8 and 10 tons of plastic pollution are produced. By enhancing transparency and ensuring countries remain accountable to existing international commitments, the recommendations aim to create a shared global legacy for the Ocean.
Among the urgent measures to be adopted, scientists call for leaders to:
- Effectively and permanently protect at least 30% of the Ocean
- End the implementation of harmful subsidies and support a regenerative blue economy rooted in science
- Eliminate the progressive use of fossil fuels.
Expanding our knowledge to avert irreversible damage
Today, only 1.7% of national research budgets on average are dedicated to Ocean research, despite the role it must play in tackling the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The scientific community stands ready to accelerate Ocean research but warns that where the research remains unclear, decision-makers must proceed with caution. As such, it calls for global leaders to:
- Significantly increase investment into research, monitoring and modelling of the Ocean
- Acknowledge the importance of the deep-ocean and how little is still known about it
- Develop and research new approaches for removing carbon dioxide from the Ocean.
Action for the ocean must benefit us all
Science shows that effective Ocean governance is founded on respect, equality and cooperation. To strengthen the legitimacy of Ocean policies and reduce inequalities, the scientific community calls on global leaders to:
- Recognize human rights in maritime governance, ensure fair and safe working conditions at sea, and support small-scale fishermen
- Involve traditionally excluded voices in decision-making processes, including coastal communities, countries in the Global South and youth
- Ensure equitable access to new technologies and the benefits derived from marine genetic resources.
Reinforcing the world’s collective responsibility for the ocean
François Houllier, CEO of Ifremer and co-chair of the One Ocean Science Congress International Scientific Committee comments:
“Our recommendations are ready: now it’s time for action. The international scientific community is committed to working tirelessly to deliver new data and expand our knowledge to help the Ocean thrive. Ahead of the UN Ocean Conference we are equipping leaders with a solid, scientific basis for their decision-making, because the future of the ocean – and our communities – depend on it.”
Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Director of Research at CNRS and co-chair of the One Ocean Science Congress International Scientific Committee adds:
“The science is clear: we know how to protect the Ocean, yet global implementation of these proven solutions remains woefully inadequate. Today we are calling on global leaders to rise to this global, collective challenge to preserve the Ocean for years to come.”
The One Ocean Science Congress was organised by CNRS and Ifremer.
The full scientific recommendations are published on the Congress’ website (https://one-ocean-science-2025.org/media.html).