State of Our Ocean 2019 EDITION Davos, Switzerland SOA Leadership Daniela V. Fernandez, Founder & CEO, Sustainable Ocean Alliance Advisor and Editor Nishan Degnarain Scientific partner Professor Doug McCauley, University of California Santa Barbara State of Our Ocean 2019 Edition Davos, Switzerland The State of Our Ocean Inaugural Report 2019 is Published by Sustainable Ocean Alliance. About Sustainable Ocean Alliance Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) is a global non-profit organization that advances the impact of startups, social enterprises, and ocean leader initiatives, which are developing solutions to preserve the health and sustainability of our ocean. SOA’s Ocean Leadership Program and Ocean Solutions Accelerator empower the next generation to become leaders and create a measurable impact on our ocean by providing them with education, resources, and opportunities to become an integral force of change. © 2019 – Copyright by Sustainable Ocean Alliance. All U.S. and international rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any informational storage and retrieval system, without the express written consent of Sustainable Ocean Alliance. Sustainable Ocean Alliance team • Daniela V. Fernandez – Founder and CEO • Craig Dudenhoeffer – Chief Innovation Officer • Michael Skinner – Chief Operating Officer • Brandon Levy – Program Director • Kate Dos Santos – Events and Communications Manager • Alisa Futritski – Special Projects Coordinator • Audrey Reisdorffer – Marketing Manager Edited by Nishan Degnarain Additional edits by Ben Hourigan Graphics by Lori Silva – Mt. Burdell Marketing Developing Leaders. Cultivating Ideas. Accelerating Solutions. TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 PREFACE 04 02 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 05 03 OCEAN RISKS DASHBOARD 08 04 MILESTONES AND INITIATIVES 2018 20 05 REGIONAL OCEAN THEMES 22 OA VOICES FROM 06 S AROUND THE WORLD 30 CEAN TECHNOLOGY STARTUPS 07 O 32 REAKTHROUGHS IN OCEAN SCIENCE, 08 B TECHNOLOGY & EXPLORATION IN 2018 34 09 SPECIAL TRIBUTE 35 10 OCEAN PRIORITIES FOR 2019 36 1. PREFACE T he State of Our Ocean report comes at a time when the fate of our planet is at a crossroads. Last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned us that limiting a drastic temperature increase to our atmosphere would require rapid, far-reaching, and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society. Simultaneously, plastic pollution is flooding our waterways, corals are bleaching at abnormal rates, and criminal activities at sea remain rampant. We require a fundamental and immediate transformation within our governing systems, businesses, and civil society if we, as the last generation capable of making significant strides in protecting our environment, are to rise to this challenge. I founded Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) to offer a new playbook that cultivates leadership and provides a support system to diverse minds that can develop innovative solutions to counter the perils facing humanity’s greatest asset: our ocean. To answer this call, Sustainable Ocean Alliance will accelerate 100 ocean technology companies by 2021, run a global accelerator program, expand its young leader network to represent every country on the planet, and have a young leader’s voice present at key convenings of ocean leadership. This inaugural State of Our Ocean report underscores the urgency with which we need to design new models for collaboration, invest in emerging technologies, and redesign outdated systems that we have inherited. This report has been generated with input from our Ocean Leaders and insights from ocean events over the past year such as The Economist’s World Ocean Summit, the Our Ocean Conference in Bali, and the SOA Ocean Gala. SOA’s Ocean Leaders are under 35 and represent the global population. They have shown their perspectives and views on where they see the need for greater progress at national and international levels. We hope you join us on this journey to protect and sustain the health of our ocean. Sincerely Yours, Daniela V. Fernandez Founder and CEO Sustainable Ocean Alliance 4 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Welcome to Sustainable Ocean Alliance’s inaugural State of Our Ocean report. This is the first in what will become an annual publication series, which will highlight progress on ocean issues over the past year and identify ocean leadership priorities for the upcoming year. It has been compiled by ocean experts as well as by the the Sustainable Ocean Alliance community. Several important themes have been raised for world leaders to focus on for the next 12 months, reflecting on progress made over the past year. Here is a rundown of some of the key issues highlighted by SOA members and ocean experts in this 2019 edition of the report. Awareness raised on ocean issues in 2018 Awareness of ocean challenges heightened in 2018 through the first G7 Declaration on the Ocean, San Francisco’s Global Climate Action Summit, Sustainable Development Goal 14, Norway’s Blue Economy Panel, and climate negotiations at COP24. However, there has been insufficient progress, and environmental challenges are increasing, in particular: Climate change. The IPCC highlights we are on course for 2.7–3.7°C warming by 2100, which would make 99% of our coral reefs extinct, and we have only 12 years to act. Overfishing. The Food and Agriculture Mass extinction. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) has increased the number of marine species on the endangered list. WWF’s Living Planet Index shows wildlife has declined 60% since the 1970s. Pollution. 90% of plastic polluting our ocean is derived from just 10 rivers. Agricultural runoff continues to cause ocean dead zones, and new chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are increasing mortality rates in marine mammals. Failing to address these challenges would be a critical mistake, as they represent a multi-trilliondollar risk to the global economy and to 2 billion people who depend solely on seafood protein. Entire countries are at risk due to climate change, rising sea-levels, and more powerful storms. It is those who are most vulnerable who are at the greatest risk in coastal and small island states. As well as identifying the major ocean issues that SOA Ocean Leaders would like the international community to focus on, we also asked for their feedback regarding the current efforts to restore ocean health and asked them to award a grade to leadership around the world. We recognize that change is hard. However, on average, SOA Ocean Leaders graded their respective national governments with a “D” and international efforts Organization (FAO) states that we continue with a “C”. This is far from resounding confidence to fish beyond sustainable yields. in current efforts. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 5 Development pressures continue new satellite tracking of global coral reef health, to rise around the world and scientific discoveries around the twilight At the same time, as environmental challenges zone and seabed in the Pacific. are being addressed, there are growing economic Priorities for 2019 pressures. China’s Belt and Road Initiative now touches 68 countries and a quarter of the world’s exclusive economic zones (EEZs). With 160m+ people joining the middle class each year, and 30m+ in population growth, there will be growing pressures on our ocean over the next decade for seafood, shipping, and coastal development. Current resources and capacity are insufficient to restore our ocean to health Small island developing states (SIDS) remain poor; on current growth paths SIDS would take over 100 years to reach OECD standards of living. As the effects of ocean health collapse are felt first in SIDS, a radical new shift in infrastructure is needed while not further indebting many of these countries. OECD prior commitments to a climate fund of $100 billion a year from 2020 are yet to materialize. There has been insufficient progress to holistically address the risks of a collapsing marine ecosystem, particularly in the effects on long-term capital funds, such as pension, sovereign wealth, and insurance. If these risks are adequately mitigated, we could create an ocean dividend of greater prosperity from a healthier ocean ecosystem. Hence, there is a need for multi-stakeholder partnerships and a commitment on a scale greater than the Marshall Plan in the aftermath of the Second World War. This will entail risk and innovation, engaging the right leaders and talent, unlocking capital resources, and embarking on untried approaches. This is where technology and innovation can transform ocean governance Many exciting breakthroughs in ocean science, technology, and exploration took place in 2018. Highlights include the launch of OceanX, the expansion of Saildrone’s autonomous capabilities, 6 This report highlights several priorities for 2019: 1. Maintain focus on the ocean in global policy debates through media, exploration, and advocacy. 2. C ultivate technological innovations and spur investment in the ocean technology sector. 3. D evelop new multi-stakeholder partnerships around the ocean and engage business leaders and global talent. 4. E nsure progress on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) negotiations in 2019 to ensure ocean life is protected on the high seas (45% of the world’s surface). 5. S et global ecotourism standards for coastal and ocean-based tourism. 6. P ropose a moratorium on seabed mining license allocations until sufficient science has been conducted on the marine biology of these locations. 7. I ncrease marine protected areas (MPAs) to cover 20% of our ocean. Provide more sophisticated regulations and oversight to ensure protection extends to the right locations, depths, equipment, and times of year, and that effective enforcement is incorporated in such efforts. 8. E nsure that sustainable ocean startups comprise at least 5% of the supply chain of major ocean enterprises. 9. E nsure sufficient multilateral funding, transparent spending, and effective disbursement of capital directed toward ocean sustainability. 10. A ddress inequality around the world, between the OECD and SIDS, as well as inequality within countries that affects those whose livelihoods depen on the ocean. www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions “If done well, we could create an ocean dividend of greater prosperity from a healthier ocean ecosystem.” — Nishan Degnarain This report is structured into the following sections: An overview of the major risks to the ocean, as the SOA community. A scan of breakthroughs in identified by scientists and our SOA community. ocean science, technology, and exploration from An acknowledgement of significant milestones 2018. And finally, a list of top priorities for 2019, achieved in 2018. An update on themes affecting as identified by the SOA community. every major ocean basin, including the opinions of Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 7 3. OCEAN RISK DASHBOARD The ocean is vital for life on our planet, and also provides a source of income, nutritious food, and supports the livelihood of billions. Economic assets dependent on a healthy ocean (e.g., tourism, fisheries, shipping, and offshore energy) are estimated at $24 trillion, according to a joint report by the Boston Consulting Group and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). Despite their immense importance, marine ecosystems face dangers that put marine biodiversity at risk: climate change, ocean warming, increased acidification, oxygen depletion, pollution, overfishing, and illegal fishing. The development of effective global policy solutions and disruptive ocean focused technologies could help us navigate toward a cleaner and safer future Climate change’s impact on the ocean The ocean is being hit hard by climate change: effects include ocean warming, ocean acidification, and oxygen depletion. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) described the risks of climate change if temperatures increase by 1.5°C by 2100, saying 99% of coral reefs would become extinct. However, with current efforts, the IPCC forecasts that the world is off-track and will hit 2.7–3.7°C warmer temperatures by 2100. The IPCC has given the world just 12 years to turn around the situation before facing irrevocable damage. for us and our ocean. 8 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions A future ocean that is hotter, more acidic, and our ocean since the 1950s. Since the first a more difficult place for ocean life to breathe industrial revolution, the acidity of the ocean presents serious challenges. The ocean has has increased by roughly 30%, making it more absorbed more than 90% of the heat produced difficult for many organisms to form healthy via greenhouse gas-associated warming since skeletons and shells. According to a study the 1850s. According to the National Oceanic published in 2017 by UNESCO’s World Heritage and Atmospheric Administration in the United Centre, if global emissions continue at current States, the global ocean temperature during levels, all coral-containing World Heritage Sites the first half of 2018 was the fourth-highest will cease to exist by the end of this century. for the period on record. Ocean life is largely Coral reefs are home to more than a million accustomed to stable temperatures. Climate change will reorder the distribution of life in the ocean, as fish and shellfish in cold waters are predicted to shift habitats to escape warming, potentially creating complications for countries that depend on the proximity of these resources for income and food. species, and their disappearance has economic consequences. A 2013 Deloitte study found that the Great Barrier Reef alone generated about $7 billion in revenue for Australia, largely via tourism. Sea-level rise from melting polar ice and more volatile weather from warming surface temperatures may be the Warmer waters result in a lower capacity for most impactful forms of ocean-related climate the ocean to absorb oxygen (a process known change. Scientists predict that half of the as ocean deoxygenation), leading to rapidly population in 25 megacities (those with more expanding dead zones at different depths than 10 million inhabitants) will be affected by of the ocean. Indeed, a 2010 study showed sea-level rise if climate change is not slowed; warming waters had killed off a staggering Miami and Shanghai have already suffered 40% of oxygen-producing phytoplankton in related effects. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 9 Credit: Amanda Montañez; Source: “Export of Plastic Debris by Rivers into the Sea,” by Christian Schmidt et al., in Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 51, No. 21; November 7, 2017 Ocean pollution The biggest man-made threat to ocean health is carbon pollution. In the last decade, the ocean has absorbed nearly a third of the carbon dioxide emitted by industry. This has slowed climate change, but at great cost to ocean health. When that by weight, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. Plastic pollution has been documented in the deepest parts of the ocean (e.g., near the Mariana Trench), and in the most remote ocean ecosystems (e.g., Antarctica). Certain forms of plastic can linger for centuries. carbon dioxide is absorbed by seawater, it The United Nations Environmental Program increases acidity levels—threatening ocean life reports that more than 660 species of ocean ranging from the microscopic snails that feed animals are documented to be affected by plastic salmon to the coral reefs that support tourism and pollution. This includes sea turtles, dolphins, one-third of marine biodiversity. whales, seabirds, and manta rays. Plastic pollution Plastics are a particularly insidious form of ocean pollution. According to the non-profit group Ocean Conservancy, coastal countries generate 275 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, and 8 million metric tons of plastic goes into the ocean every year. Just ten rivers carry 90% of this plastic pollution. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicts 10 has also been detected in seafood sold for human consumption. A 2015 study by a team of researchers from the University of California, Davis, and Hasanuddin University found manmade debris in 25% of seafood market fish and 67% of all species sampled in the United States. The ingestion of plastic has grave effects on ocean animal health, and www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions researchers are trying to better understand inhospitable conditions for marine life. As a what impact it has on human health. Potential result, more than 400 ocean “dead zones” solutions for the flow of plastics into the ocean have been documented worldwide. The spread include adopting policies that curb the use of of these areas could be limited with more- single-use plastics like bags or straws, developing responsible fertilizer use. alternative materials, and improving the capture Industrial pollutants such as heavy metals of plastics that leak out of waste systems. and mercury from coal power plants continue Another major source of ocean pollution to affect marine life. Even residual traces of comes from the runoff of fertilizers used in banned chemicals such as PCBs, which were agriculture. These are carried down rivers and once a common coolant, are being blamed for into the ocean, where they create population failed pregnancies and the rapid decline in orca explosions of algae and bacteria. This in turn populations, according to a 2018 Science study. depletes oxygen levels, killing fish and creating Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 11 Loss of Big Fish in the Ocean Source: Myers, R.A. and B Worm, Nature 2003 Overfishing believed to be illegally caught. According to the UN Food and Agriculture In the case of long-living, slow-growing marine Organization, fish provide more than 3.1 billion species like bluefin tuna, a single incident of illegal people with 20% of their animal protein, and fishing can set an entire ocean ecosystem back serve as a critically important source of nutrients by decades. New surveillance technologies and essential to good health, like iron, zinc, and platforms for data-sharing are needed to rein omega-3 fatty acids. Legal overfishing presents a in illegal fishing. The Agreement on Port State major challenge. The FAO’s 2018 report The State Measures, a global treaty that went into force in of World Fisheries and Aquaculture estimated 2016, could curb illegal fishing vessels’ access to that about one-third (33.1%) of global fish stocks ports and help block the flow of illegally caught fish are overfished. Illegal and unreported fishing to markets. Greater transparency is also needed exacerbates overfishing. A study published in 2014 among international fishery regulators (RFMOs) to in Marine Policy found that up to a third of all more effectively regulate legal overfishing. wild seafood imported into the United States was 12 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions “We need to fill 3 empty chairs with their voices when we make decisions: the poor, children, and the other creatures of earth.” — Henrik Grape (World Council of Churches) Big issues continue to exist with the overuse of antibiotics, genetic modification, and the use of wild-caught fish feed for aquaculture. Aquaculture risks In 2014, for the first time, the global population ate more farmed fish than wild fish. This was a development as transformative as our ancestors’ shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture. According to the FAO, the aquaculture industry has grown from producing about 3 million tons of fish in the 1970s to producing 76.6 million tons of fish by 2015, valued at nearly $160 billion. As of 2016, the industry employed about 23 million people worldwide. While growth in aquaculture has been geographically diverse, the vast majority has emanated from Asia. China alone represents more than 60% of global aquaculture production. The industry’s expansion could help meet growing global demand for food from animal sources, which may increase by 80% by 2050—fueled by global population growth and increasing wealth in developing countries. According to the FAO, in 2016 about 68% of ocean farmed fish food was made up of finfish, while about 21% was made up of mollusks, and about 10% was crustaceans. In addition, this has been followed with a rapid expansion in aquaculture sites globally, with the biggest species being salmon, tuna, sea bass, prawns, shrimp, oysters, and scallops. Major risk factors include the overuse of antibiotics, genetic modification of certain species, and inefficient use of fish feed for aquaculture. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 13 Mass extinction Life on land may be rapidly approaching what driven into extinction by human activity. scientists have dubbed the sixth mass extinction, However, a 2016 report in Science projected that as human-caused extinction rates approach levels rates of extinction in the ocean could increase last experienced during the era that saw the end of dramatically. Ocean animals that are under threat many dinosaur lineages. The situation in the ocean include the Hawaiian and Mediterranean monk is a little brighter—for the moment. According to seals; blue whales, which were depleted in the the International Union for Conservation of Nature, early 1900s; and all six species of sea turtle found about 15 ocean animal extinctions have occurred in United States waters. Without a change to in the last 500 years. During the same period, business as usual in ocean management, we could more than 500 land animals have been soon initiate a sixth mass extinction in the ocean. 14 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions Children go through garbage at Flores region sea coast in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia (2012). Human well-being and the ocean The ocean is more than a beautiful home to impressive wildlife: it is a critically important source of nutritious food, income, and stability. The ocean yields $2.5 trillion annually in goods and services, making it equivalent to one of the largest single economies in the world, according to a joint study by BCG and WWF. The ocean also provides millions of jobs in fishing, aquaculture, tourism, energy, transportation, and biotechnology. The value of ocean resources is even more important for impoverished countries. Fishery net exports from developing countries have been valued at $42 billion, more than meat, tobacco, rice, and sugar combined, according to the FAO’s 2016 edition of The State The ocean is a source of highly nutritious food for humanity. Researchers estimate that if current trajectories of fishery decline persist, 845 million people could become at risk of diseases associated with malnutrition. Ocean health and human health intersect in other ways that are important but sometimes less obvious. Fishery declines have also been linked to human trafficking. Child and slave labor have been used to harvest fish in the wild. Some analysts also suggest that piracy in Somalia and West Africa is linked to disenfranchised fishermen turning to violence in order to protect decreasing fish stocks. In situations where overfishing has depleted lucrative species, organized crime has also escalated. of World Fisheries and Aquaculture. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 15 Destruction of mangrove forest by Cyclone Sidr in 2007. Khulna, Bangladesh. Habitat destruction An industrial revolution is beginning in the ocean, with parallels to the industrial revolutions that have taken place on land. This involves a rapid expansion of marine industries such as ocean farming, coastal tourism, and marine transport, and a fivefold increase in deep-sea mining exploration. According to a report published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2018, while mining in international waters is not expected for several years, Seabed Mining Map Clarion Clipper Fracture Zone 29 exploration contracts have already been issued, covering more than 1 million square kilometers of deep ocean. Regulations to manage deep-sea mining under development at the International Seabed Authority would be insufficient to prevent permanent damage to marine ecosystems and a loss of unique species, according to the report. On land, animal extinction rates began accelerating rapidly during the first two industrial revolutions, when there was much less awareness of the link between human Map of Mid-Atlantic Ridge Exploration Areas for Polymetallic Sulphides health and the environment. Now, the ocean presents an exciting opportunity to intelligently move a marine industrial revolution forward without associated spikes in animal extinction—which could compromise the ocean’s nourishing resources. Map of Indian Ocean Exploration Areas for Polymetallic Sulphides and Nodules 16 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions Multiple active exploration activities for seabed mining took place in 2018. Growth of seabed mining licenses, and risk to some of the most sensitive environments (e.g., hydrothermal vents). Source: Deep Sea Mining Watch (Benioff Ocean Initiative) deepseaminingwatch.msi.ucsb.edu Shifting ocean governance The ocean has always been difficult to govern: it covers 90% of the habitable space on earth, creating an immense, supranational domain with Most of the ocean lies outside the jurisdiction of any single country, presenting major challenges when it comes to the responsible management of biodiversity and resources. unique regulatory challenges. Unlike many natural In 2015, the United Nations committed to a new assets on land, many ocean resources (such as kind of legally binding treaty to better manage bluefin tuna) regularly swim across jurisdictional high-seas biodiversity. Fish stocks tend to move boundaries. In addition, damage incurred within toward the planet’s poles as they escape warming one country’s jurisdiction (e.g., plastic pollution) waters. This can create worrisome volatility in can affect countries that are many thousands of low-latitude, often less-developed regions— miles away. as fish resources travel out of the reach of We have deferred developing policies that countries that need them most. properly address these complexities, even as we These are also the same regions where illegal approach or cross tipping points on overfishing, fishing is most intense, ocean governance is pollution, and climate change. weakest, and populations are growing the fastest. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 17 SUMMARIZED SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF INTERNATIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE, SHOWING SECTORAL APPROACH AND PLETHORA OF ORGANIZATIONS Source: Global Ocean Commission Another emerging challenge is that countries at-risk ecosystems and boost fisheries. Based on may lose their economic incentive to responsibly a review of 144 studies, researchers at the manage the health of their fish reserves once University of York concluded that about 30% they realize their assets are migrating beyond of the ocean would need to be placed within their borders. protected areas to meet marine-management One positive development has been the goals. Currently, only about 3% of the ocean is establishment of protected areas, which can aid well protected. Emerging ocean technologies Protecting the vitality of the ocean and the Emerging technologies are changing the way we harvest food, energy, minerals, and data from the ocean. Rapid innovation in marine robotics, artificial intelligence, low-cost sensors, satellite systems, genetics, and methods for collecting and analyzing data may help us create a cleaner and safer future for our ocean. It may also present its own set of problems for ocean health. 18 economic benefit we derive from it will require slowing climate change, and the ocean itself may be part of the solution. The ocean is an enormous storehouse of green energy which we are just beginning to plug into—possibilities include wave, offshore wind, tidal, and thermal energy. A record 4.3 megawatts of new offshore wind power was installed around the world during 2017, increasing the market by 95%, according to the Global Wind Energy Council. www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions Ocean thermal energy conversion technology, Meanwhile, organizations and companies can which exploits the temperature difference now collect and process greater amounts of between shallow tropical waters and the deep data from the ocean, which is being harnessed sea to generate electricity, is being explored. to detect illegal fishing, empower sustainable Remaining hurdles include making the companies to connect with consumers, harvesting of ocean energy more cost-efficient. promote maritime security, and help build Ocean mining is another emerging tech-driven intelligent zoning plans that better balance the industry. Portions of the seafloor are rich in needs of fishermen, marine transportation, and gold, platinum, cobalt, and rare-earth elements, ocean conservation. Other exciting innovations yet these resources have, up until now, lain are also emerging: a robot that swims like a mostly out of reach. New, 300-ton waterproof tuna, underwater data centers, self-driving mining machines have been developed, which ships, coastal sensor systems that text alerts can travel to some of the deepest parts of about sharks in swimming areas, and geodesic the sea. Mining claims have been published spheres that serve as offshore fish farms. on more than 1 million square kilometers Properly embraced, disruptive technologies will of ocean in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian help us successfully take more from the ocean oceans. However, mining the seafloor without while damaging them less. destroying critical deep-sea ecosystems remains a challenge that must be solved. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 19 4. OCEAN MILESTONES AND INITIATIVES IN 2018 In a busy 2018, the ocean community pursued significant milestones and launched many new initiatives. Here are some of the highlights identified by the SOA community. 1 2 3 4 Action on plastics Whaling overturned South African MPAs Shipping emissions Calls from some to resume whaling were overturned. While there is to be no whaling in the high seas, Japan announced it is leaving the International Whaling Commission and will resume commercial whaling in its own waters in 2019. South African marine Although at a less protected areas ambitious rate than (MPAs) increased Paris Agreement twelvefold. commitments, the G7 Ocean Blueprint (the Charlevoix Declaration). For the first time, the G7 group of industrialized countries made a declaration recognizing the importance of the ocean, and committed to reduce plastic pollution. The Ocean Cleanup’s System 001 was launched in San Francisco in a pioneering effort to clean the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 20 shipping industry is taking steps to curb emissions from vessels. www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions “The half of our planet which is high seas is protecting terrestrial life from the worst impacts of climate change. Yet we do too little to safeguard that or to protect the life within the ocean, which is intrinsic to our collective survival. Protecting the biodiversity of the high seas by bringing good governance and law to the whole ocean is the single most important thing we can do to turn the tide for the blue heart of our planet.” — Professor Alex Rogers, Oxford University, UK 5 6 7 The Seabed Global Climate New UN high2030 initiative Action Summit seas treaty 8 Norway’s Blue Economy Panel Seabed 2030, a joint This summit was Efforts are underway This panel was project between held in San Francisco to create a treaty on launched to define GEBCO and the Nippon to raise awareness biodiversity beyond investment principles Foundation with the on climate change national jurisdiction, for a sustainable aim of mapping the and ocean related which is expected ocean economy. global ocean floor, initiatives. However, to be completed by became operational. the IPCC says more 2020. Currently, only 9% action is needed. of the seabed has been mapped in high resolution. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 21 5. REGIONAL OCEAN THEMES 16 17 Fish Pond Development Jiangping town, Dongxing City January, 2003 Fish Pond Development Jiaingping town, Dongxing City October, 2018 19 18 Andersen Airforce Base, Guam Sea Level Rise Suspected Illegal "Whale Jail" Bukhta Srednyaya, Russia September, 2018 China Coal Power Station Huadian Nanxiong Power Station January, 2017 China Coal Power Station Huadian Nanxiong Power Station September, 2018 20 Philippines Boracay Bay Pre Cleanup March, 2018 21 Philippines Boracay Bay Cleanup Impact October, 2018 22 South China Sea Cuarteron Reef April, 2018 22 23 South China Sea Fiery Cross Reef March, 2018 24 South China Sea Gaven Reef March, 2018 25 South China Sea Subi Reef March, 2018 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions South China Sea Woody Island March, 2018 PACIFIC OCEAN 2018 BRIEFING Japan commercial whaling Great Barrier Reef Japan to focus on commercial whaling in its own waters bleaching, other coral losses, and the Adani coal mine Growing maritime security risks (WCPFC) 1 15 in the South China Sea Tuna overfishing Unusual ocean tempratures 2 14 Surface temperature anomalies in 2018 3 3 Ocean dead zones and 13 plastic pollution 18 Growing Great Pacific Garbage Patch 1 from China’s major river estuaries 20 16 13 Hotel construction on Pacific islands 12 14 Growing plastic gyre in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Ocean Cleanup 4 4 10 12 19 25 6 5 17 22 24 21 23 7 8 5 2 8 11 15 Suspected illegal shark fishing 9 11 Category 5 cyclone Gita 6 Vaquita endangered becomes costliest in Tonga’s history 10 Risk of rising sea levels to low-lying Pacific islands 7 9 Rapid expansion of aquaculture 8 Suspected illegal fishing Seabed mining begins 2020 In Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (IIS USCB Seabed Watch) Image Credit: Earthrise Media Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 23 ATLANTIC OCEAN 2018 BRIEFING 11 Artificial Island Development Markermeer Lake, Netherlands September, 2015 Artificial Island Development Markermeer Lake, Netherlands September, 2016 12 14 Artificial Island Development Markermeer Lake, Netherlands September, 2017 13 Port Talbot, Wales Pollution 2018 Istanbul Airport Before Construction November, 2015 15 Tyndall Air Force Base Florida Sea Level Rise 24 Artificial Island Development Markermeer Lake, Netherlands October, 2018 Istanbul Airport After Construction June, 2018 16 Homestead Air Force Base Florida Sea Level Rise www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions Kessler Air Force Base Louisiana Sea Level Rise 2018 hurricane season Growing ocean dead zones one of the costliest. Twenty-five storms and hurricanes - $30 billion in damages Mississippi 2 1 12 11 Expansion of invasive species (e.g., lionfish) 10 2 16 Loss of Caribbean coral reefs 13 10 14 15 1 Growing offshore oil exploration 3 Brazil and Africa 4 9 6 9 8 4 Tuna overfishing (ICCAT) 3 8 5 8 Growing maritime security risks 5 7 Brazil and Nigeria Discovery of new deep-water reefs Brazil 7 Twelvefold increase in MPAs South Africa 6 Seabed mining to begin in 2020 License expansion in Mid-Atlantic Ridge ISA and UCSB Mining Watch Image Credit: Earthrise Media Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 25 INDIAN OCEAN 2018 BRIEFING 11 12 Ghoramara Island, India 2012 Ghoramara Island, India 2018 Ghoramara Island 2018 vs 2009 Thilafushi Trash Island Maldives 2008 Thilafushi Trash Island Maldives 2017 13 Airport Construction in The Maldives Sepember, 2016 Airport Construction in The Maldives March, 2016 Airport Construction in The Maldives July, 2018 Airport Construction in The Maldives September, 2018 Forest City Construction Johor, Malaysia March, 2015 Forest City Construction Johor, Malaysia December, 2015 Forest City Construction Johor, Malaysia September, 2017 Forest City Construction Johor, Malaysia August, 2018 14 15 16 Constructing Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka January, 2010 26 Constructing Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka December, 2013 Constructing Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka January, 2017 Constructing Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka July, 2018 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions Beach Clean Up Mumbai , India 2018 Growing ocean dead zones Belt and road port construction around major Indian river estuaries 2 1 1 2 10 Coastal destruction for tourism development 10 11 2018 saw the most active cyclone season 16 3 15 14 13 6 since 1992 3 12 Rising piracy 9 and maritime security issues Expanding offshore oil and gas exploration 9 8 4 4 8 (IIOTC) 5 7 Tuna overfishing 5 8 Growing militarization between China and India in the Indian Ocean 7 Coral reef bleaching across Indian Ocean 6 Seabed mining around Rodrigues Box Image Credit: Earthrise Media Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 27 SOUTHERN OCEAN 2018 BRIEFING 6 Largest MPA in Weddell Sea blocked by Norway, China and Russia Impact of expanding krill fisheries 1 2 Loss of Larsen Ice Shelf 2 6 1 5 Increasing risk from invasive species 3 5 4 4 Recent Ross Sea MPAs 28 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions Growing impact of 3 climate change, warming ocean, and strengthening winds ARCTIC OCEAN 2018 BRIEFING 6 7 Loss of summer ice Growing oil and gas exploration First container ship travelled through in 2018 1 2 Americas Most Closest City to the Mine Toxic-Releasing Facility Kotzebue, Alaska Red Dog Mine, Alaska October, 2018 October, 2018 3 2 Loss of Summer ice and impact of polar biodiversity 5 5 7 4 Ten-year moratorium on commercial 3 fishing in the Arctic signed 6 1 4 Growth in invasive species (e.g.,) red king crab in Norway Image Credit: Earthrise Media Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 29 6. SOA VOICES FROM AROUND THE WORLD The most inspirational ocean solutions seen in the past year. Gabby Tan (Malaysia) Marie Le Texier (France) “The discovery of heat-resistant “The most inspirational ocean news corals that may just give us one I saw in 2018 was the Volvo Ocean more shot at saving our beautiful Race Ocean Plastics Sustainability reefs.” Education Programme. It used the power of sports to inspire and educate millions of people on ocean health—2.5m people Marissa Cuevas (Mexico) visited the 12 race villages. Very powerful and inspiring.” “The Ocean Cleanup launch, in particular where they describe the challenge they had with the anchor. They want to place the ‘system’ in the Pacific, which meant that the anchor had to be extremely long and very strong to work. Since no Tzuen Yap (Malaysia) “Several initiatives by Balinese youth leaders to stop single-use straws. Many resorts and restaurants support their cause.” one had attempted this before, it seemed impossible. Finally, they came up with a new model of anchor— one that uses the currents as brakes. The solution is brilliant, but also the message: as ocean entrepreneurs, we face many challenges that seem to be impossible initially, but finally we can always develop new, innovative solutions.” What is needed to increase impact? John Costantino (Norway) “A potential solution is to drive more innovation in the private industry around our ocean, much like SpaceX is revolutionizing how space travel is done by incorporating new tech and reducing cost and waste. I feel there is also a place for this kind of ‘disruption’ in the ocean space.” Annisa Meutia Ratri (Indonesia) “The fishermen’s efforts to create waste banks [bank sampahs] on Selayar Island, Indonesia.” Eugénia Barroca (Portugal) “The biggest roadblock is developing a solution that can be adopted economically. In our economic model [in Portugal], having a good economy doesn’t necessarily mean we will have a sustainable country. I think that change needs to come from all directions: the political and economic mindset should be transformed into efficient and sustainable resource management, together with improving our waste management. Of course, social well-being is needed as its basis. Nature and ecosystem services need to have a bigger value in our economy than what they have now.” 30 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions CHANGE IS HARD! SOA Members grading our Global Leaders on current efforts leading to al ion E E a l ff o rt ff t rNat te D C or N a ti o n Restoration of Ocean Health... in Far from resounding support for current efforts relative to Expectations. What are the biggest roadblocks to restoring ocean health? Alexa Goodman (Canada) “Ocean issues are wicked Janis Argeswara (Indonesia) problems and do not exist in silos. “People want change, but The problems are complicated without concrete regulation, and nested within other issues; they won’t change. Bali is starting the year with some many are related to politics and economics. … Individuals without a connection to the very good news of banning single-use plastics. ocean may not see the value in saving it. This leads to However, a lot of small shops are still using plastic poor political decisions for short-term economic gain, bags and straws because the regulations are not which is usually at the expense of the environment, as being effectively implemented yet.” these choices promote consumerism, which in turn drives climate change, plastic pollution, and overfishing, Matthews Wafula (Kenya) among many other issues." “Despite having a policy Daniel Cáceres Bartra (Peru) document on the ocean, a few “[The biggest issue is] the lack individuals are encroaching of creativity toward sustainable into the ocean and building economic-growth strategies, structures right at the and just copying other countries’ shores of the Indian Ocean … also destroying the strategies of development.” mangrove forests.” Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 31 7. OCEAN TECHNOLOGY STARTUPS Innovative solutions that apply emerging technologies are being used to solve the most critical threats facing the ocean. Listed below are five companies building technologies for generating clean energy, decreasing bycatch, and reducing pollution caused by plastics and fossil fuels. These companies are alumni of SOA’s Ocean Solutions Accelerator, a Silicon Valley based program which provides entrepreneurs with the support needed to transform their innovative ocean solutions into scalable businesses. SOA is committed to accelerating 100 ocean startups by 2021. The following 5 startups participated in SOA's 2018 accelerator program: SafetyNet Technologies is making the fishing industry smarter through the development of user-friendly electro-mechanical devices to reduce bycatch. SafetyNet Technologies is closing a seed investment round in Q1 2019, and launching 4 commercial trials in Europe, the U.S., and Latin America. LOLIWARE is the world’s first edible bioplastics company dedicated to replacing single-use plastics with hyper-compostable materials derived from seaweed. LOLIWARE has finalized their engineering plan to scale LOLISTRAW in 2019. The company forecasts $90 million in revenue across 86 countries and plans to eradicate billions of straws over the next 24 months. 32 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions CalWave Power Technologies is developing a Wave Energy Converter to harness the renewable power of ocean waves to produce electricity and fresh water. In January 2019, CalWave received an additional multi-million dollar award by the U.S. Department of Energy to build a commercial scale drive train in parallel to their open water demonstration. Sustainability Cloud is utilizing blockchain technology to divert ocean-bound plastic from waste streams into valuable material supply chains in a trusted, transparent way. In 2019, Sustainability Cloud will be launching in Europe, seeking partners that wish to transform the way they value waste. ETAC designs and produces functional nanomaterials, which can be used to remediate oil spills and wastewater. In 2018, ETAC was selected as a startup finalist of the Cleantech Challenge Mexico and their solution was published in the American Chemical Society. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 33 8. BREAKTHROUGHS IN OCEAN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & EXPLORATION IN 2018 OceanX Dalio Philanthropies launched OceanX, an initiative to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world through captivating media. OceanX combines exploration and engagement to raise ocean awareness and works with leading media, science and philanthropic partners to inspire the general public to love and protect our ocean. OceanX's Alucia2, the most advanced combined exploration and media vessel ever constructed, will set sail in 2019. Saildrone California-based autonomous vessel company Saildrone raised $60m of funding in 2018, and is planning a rapid expansion to create the largest fleet of solarpowered autonomous vessels on our ocean. This will pioneer new approaches in tracking ocean health at a fraction of the cost of existing methods. Ocean Cleanup Boyan Slat, aged 24, launched the Ocean Cleanup’s System 001 from San Francisco in September 2018, to clean up the Great Plastic Garbage Patch. While the system is still in its trial period, it spurs hope that such efforts can help rid the world of existing plastic that continues to harm many marine species. 34 eDNA (environmental DNA) eDNA is a promising new tool that can identify the presence of marine species from ocean water alone. Several leading companies are pioneering the development of this breakthrough technology. Coral-reef Stressors Pioneering research by Stanford professor Stephen Palumbi has revealed new insights into why coral reefs get bleached. This research could become the basis for developing more resilient coral reefs. The race is on to develop resilient coral strains before the impact of climate change eliminates our most fragile reefs. The Twilight Zone Very little is known about the ocean’s twilight zone, a region under 200 meters that’s teeming with over 1m undiscovered species. New technologies and a bold new expedition by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will enable us to understand more about this critical zone of life. www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions 9. SPECIAL TRIBUTE Ruth Gates and Paul Allen This year, we celebrate the lives of two ocean leaders who dedicated their lives to restoring ocean health. Ruth Gates (1962–2018) Ruth Gates was one of the world’s leading coral researchers, based at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology where she had been director since 2015. Her work was recently showcased in the award-winning movie Chasing Coral. She was at the forefront of developing more resilient coral reef strains by incrementally increasing the temperature tolerance of corals. Paul Allen (1953–2018) Paul Allen was the co-founder of Microsoft. Through his investment fund Vulcan, he became a strong supporter of ocean conservation efforts. The fund invested in efforts to preserve coral reefs, protect endangered marine species, and pioneer new ocean exploration techniques using the latest technologies. Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 35 10. OCEAN PRIORITIES FOR 2019 As this report shows, our ocean is facing unprecedented challenges in terms of scale, scope and speed of change. In a complex, multi-stakeholder environment, here are 10 priorities for our ocean that the SOA community believe world business and government leaders can focus on in 2019. 1. Policy attention Raise the attention of the ocean in global policy debates—COP25 negotiations, Blue Economy Panel, etc.—elevating the profile of the ocean on the global agenda. In the 1980s, the world came together to address the complexities of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and the hole in the ozone layer. We need a similar effort to show that multiple actions are leading to the loss of life and protection that our ocean gives us. It is critical to maintain ocean are being excluded from the ocean debate. We need to build new global partnerships alongside very local partnerships that can harness the insights of those who depend daily—and over many generations—on the ocean and wish to influence businesses and government leaders for more effective action. Many of these communities are remote, and a special effort is needed to engage to build such new multi-stakeholder partnerships. 4. BBNJ negotiations Ensure progress on BBNJ health as an important discussion point on the negotiations in 2019 to ensure global agenda. ocean life is protected on the high 2. Ocean tech solutions seas (45% of the world’s surface). Cultivate technological In 2019, it will be crucial for international innovations and spur investment policymakers to create a new legal instrument in the ocean technology sector. to protect biodiversity in the high seas. This is Emerging technologies and a highly significant, international treaty for our business models are opening ocean. SOA calls upon policymakers in each and new possibilities for restoring ocean health. every country to ensure such a legal instrument However, there needs to be a vibrant market for can effectively safeguard biodiversity. such ocean technologies to scale and disrupt 5. Ecotourism existing systems. In 2019, it’s imperative that new ocean technology funds be raised to scale technologies such as clean shipping, sustainable seafood, and the development of a circular economy. 3. Partnerships 36 Set global ecotourism standards for coastal and ocean-based tourism. Tourism can be responsible for the destruction of some of the most fragile parts of our ocean ecosystem. How Develop new multi-stakeholder can we turn tourism into a force for good and partnerships around the ocean not one of coastal destruction and cosmetic and engage business leaders change? Can 2019 be the year we set meaningful and global talent. ecotourism standards that actively contribute to Many voices and value systems restoring ocean health? www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions 6. Seabed mining Propose a moratorium on seabed mining license corporations and governments be a positive, disruptive force in building more sustainable allocations until sufficient business practices to restore ocean health. science has been conducted on 9. Funding the effects on marine biology difference, we would like to see major of these locations. Ensure sufficient multilateral funding, transparent spending, In 2020, the UN’s International Seabed and effective disbursement of Authority votes on allowing commercial seabed capital directed toward ocean mining operations to begin. This means 2019 sustainability. will be a crucial year to muster efforts and declare a moratorium on seabed mining until we have a full scientific assessment of the environmental impact. 7. Marine protected areas Increase marine protected areas to cover 20% of our ocean. Several groups are exploring targets of protecting up to 30% of our ocean, and even all international waters, which would comprise 45% of the earth’s surface. However, we also need more sophisticated regulations and oversight of these protected areas to ensure protection extends to the right locations, depths, equipment, and times of the year, and At recent Our Ocean summits, philanthropic pledges of over $8 billion have been made. However, there is very little transparency on the effectiveness of this spend. We call for there to be a greater spending on the ocean, especially from multilateral organizations, (b) greater transparency of where this spend is going and how this contributes to scalable solutions, and (c) greater innovation in how this funding is disbursed to develop radically new and scalable models. This also includes developing innovative new financial instruments using the latest fintech solutions to ensure each dollar spent goes further. 10. Address inequality Address inequality around the that effective enforcement is incorporated in world, especially between the such efforts. OECD and SIDS. 8. Startup supply chain Communities of people Ensure, through engagement, that sustainable ocean startups comprise at least 5% of the supply chain of major ocean enterprises. Most ocean tech startups need markets and supply chains to scale. However, the barriers who depend on the ocean (e.g., coastal fishers and islanders) are often some of the poorest in society. Economically powerful nations must support developing nations to meet challenges posed by declining ocean health and promote solutions that bridge income disparity. to entry remain high. To make a meaningful Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 37 REFERENCES “Reviving the Ocean Economy: The Case for Action,” (2015), World Wide Fund for Nature, accessed at https://www.worldwildlife.org/ publications/reviving-the-oceans-economythe-case-for-action-2015 “Tracking the global footprint of fisheries,” (2018), Vol. 361 Issue 6378, Science. “IPCC Special Report: Understanding Global Warming of 1.5C,” (2018), accessed at https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ “At what price? The economic, social and icon value of the Great Barrier Reef,” (2013), Deloitte Access Economics, accessed at https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/ Deloitte/au/Documents/Economics/deloitteau-economics-great-barrier-reef-230617.pdf “Quantification of ocean heat uptake from changes in atmospheric O2 and CO2 composition,” L. Resplandy, R.F. Keeling et al. (2018), Nature, Volume 563, accessed at https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/researchhighlight-ocean-warming-detectedatmospheric-gas-measurements “NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Monthly Global Climate Report,” (October 2018), accessed at http://www. ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2018/10 “Climate and Biogeochemical Interactions in the Tropical Ocean,” (2018), Global Ocean Oxygen Network (GO2NE), UNESCOIOC accessed at http://sdg.iisd.org/news/ 38 scientists-urge-immediate-decisive-actionto-tackle-deoxygenation-in-oceans/ “Stemming the Tide: Land-based strategies for a plastic-free ocean,” (2017), Ocean Conservancy accessed at https:// oceanconservancy.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/04/full-report-stemming-the. pdf “The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics,” (2016), Ellen MacArthur Foundation and World Economic Forum, accessed at http://www3.weforum.org/docs/ WEF_The_New_Plastics_Economy.pdf “Turning the Tide on Plastics: Clean Seas Campaign,” (2018), UNEP accessed at https://www.unenvironment.org/newsand-stories/story/one-year-after-launchcleanseas-tide-turning “Anthropogenic debris in seafood: Plastic debris and fibers from textiles in fish and bivalves sold for human consumption,” C. Rochman, A, Tahir, et al. (2015), Scientific Reports Volume 5, Article number 14340, accessed at https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/ plastic-dinner-quarter-fish sold-marketscontain-human-made-debris/ “Declining oxygen in the global ocean and coastal waters,” D. Breitburg, L. Levin et al. (2018), Science Magazine Vol 359 issue 6371 accessed at http:// www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/ sciencemagazine/05_january_2018 www.soalliance.org • Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions “Predicting global killer whale population collapse from PCB pollution,” J. Desforges, A. Hall et al. (2018), Science, DOI: 10.1126/ science.aat1953 “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture,” (2018), UN’s FAO, accessed at http://www.fao.org/fishery/sofia/en “Red list research finds 26,000 global species under extinction threat,” The Guardian (5 July 2018), accessed at https:// www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/ jul/05/red-list-research-finds-26000species-under-extinction-threat “Ecological selectivity of the emerging mass extinction in the ocean,” D. McCauley et al. (2018), Science Vol 353, Issue 6305, DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf2416 “Draft mining regulations insufficient to protect the deep sea – IUCN Report,” (2018), accessed at https://www.iucn.org/ news/secretariat/201807/draft-miningregulations-insufficient-protect-deep-sea%E2%80%93-iucn-report “The Future of Our Ocean,” (2016), Global Ocean Commission, accessed at http://www.some.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2016/03/GOC_2016_Report_ FINAL_7_3.low_1.pdf “Protecting 30 percent of the ocean has many benefits,” C. Roberts, B. O’Leary (2016), University of York, accessed at https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/ news/2016/research/oceans-conservationfisheries/ “The Global Wind Report 2017,” Global Wind Energy Council, accessed at https:// gwec.net/policy-research/reports/ “Charlevoix Blueprint for Healthy Oceans, Seas and Resilient Coastal Communities,” (2018), G7, accessed at https://g7.gc.ca/en/ official-documents/charlevoix-blueprinthealthy-oceans-seas-resilient-coastalcommunities/ “2018’s top 10 ocean news stories (commentary),” D. McCauley and F. Joyce (2018), Mongabay, accessed at https:// news.mongabay.com/2018/12/2018s-top10-ocean-news-stories-commentary/ Developing Leaders, Cultivating Ideas, Accelerating Solutions • www.soalliance.org 39 Developing Leaders. Cultivating Ideas. Accelerating Solutions. Sustainable Ocean Alliance has identified the key issues in 2018 and priorities for 2019. If there are issues you think should be included in the 2020 version of State of Our Ocean, please email our Communications Manager at information@soalliance.org.