Our Shared Seas

The ocean is our lifeline. We need bold ocean action now.

Our Shared Seas provides trusted data and insights to advance decision-making using evidence-based solutions. Read our new Solutions chapters to make informed action for our blue planet.

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Climate policy must harness the power of the ocean

In this decisive decade for climate action, the ocean provides a source of essential solutions. Check out our Ocean-Climate Solutions for an action-oriented toolkit.

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The race for biodiversity protection is on.

As world leaders negotiate a new deal for nature, Our Shared Seas offers a Biodiversity and MPA Hub with science-backed recommendations and expert insights for achieving 30 percent ocean protection by 2030.

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Join the dialogue on ocean solutions.

Stay connected with the marine conservation community. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to learn about new research, expert insights, and relevant ocean events.

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The ocean is an essential source of climate solutions.

As the Earth’s largest heat and carbon sink, the ocean is humankind’s most effective buffer against climate change. Read our Solutions chapter to learn more.

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Make a date for ocean action

Our Shared Seas tracks the calendar of upcoming ocean events. Learn what’s coming next and use our open-access resources to take informed action.

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Data Highlights by topic

Global ocean heat content

Source: Cheng L. et al, 2019

The past five years have been the warmest years in the ocean on record.

The ocean absorbs roughly 90% of the warming caused by human carbon emissions. The past five years (2015 to 2019) have ranked as the five warmest years for ocean heat content, confirming a trend that ocean warming has been accelerating since the 1990s. New research suggests that the ocean is absorbing excess heat 40% faster than previously estimated.

Carbon dioxide (direct measurement)

Note: The satellite data is averaged per year. Source: NASA, 2019

Global CO₂ emissions have risen steadily in recent decades.

As of early 2019, CO₂ emissions had reached 410 parts per million (ppm). A recent IPCC report warned of the impacts of surpassing 1.5°C of warming. At current rates of warming, the world is projected to reach the 1.5°C threshold between 2030 and 2052.

Global wild capture landings

Source: FAO, 2018

Annual production from capture fisheries has remained largely stable or slightly declining for the past 20 years.

Wild capture landings in 2016 followed the same trend as previous years. After peaking in 1996, the trendline for landings has been stable or declining, depending on methodology. Data from FAO indicate that catch was 93 million tons in 2016; catch reconstruction methodologies suggest that landings are about 30 percent higher.

IUU estimate as a portion of total wild capture landings

Source: Watson, Reg A., and A. Tidd, 2018

Illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) catch may account for as much as 25% of wild capture landings.

A recent global study suggests that IUU fishing represented 32 million tons of landings in 2015; this level has been stable in recent years. Estimating the scale of IUU fishing is notoriously difficult and leads to wide confidence intervals, even as advancements in technology and satellite tracking have provided greater transparency recently.

Global aquaculture production (1976–2016)

Source: FAO, 2018

Aquaculture production has grown steadily.

As wild capture landings have plateaued since the mid-1990s, aquaculture has driven continued growth in global seafood production. Aquaculture accounted for 47 percent of total landings in 2016, an increase from 26 percent in 2000.

Scenarios of MPA progress toward global targets

Source: Adapted from MPAtlas, 2018.

Less than 6 percent of the world’s ocean is protected in implemented MPAs.

As of late 2020, 5.7 percent of the world’s ocean was protected in implemented and actively managed MPAs. Approximately half of this amount (2.6%) is highly protected in no-take reserves.

Global plastics production (1950–2015)

Source: Geyer et al, 2017

Roughly half of all plastic ever produced was made in the last 15 years.

Global plastic production has increased nearly 200-fold, from 2 million tonnes in 1950 to 381 million tonnes in 2015. Plastic production has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%, roughly 2.5 times the rate of global GDP during 1950-2015.

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The ocean is our lifeline. We need bold ocean action now.

Climate policy must harness the power of the ocean

The race for biodiversity protection is on.

Join the dialogue on ocean solutions.

The ocean is an essential source of climate solutions.

Make a date for ocean action

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Summaries:

Jump to an issue area:

Summaries:

Jump to an issue area:

Featured Articles

Research Digests

Publications

Upcoming Events

Get the Guide

The ocean is our lifeline. We need bold ocean action now.

Climate policy must harness the power of the ocean

The race for biodiversity protection is on.

Join the dialogue on ocean solutions.

The ocean is an essential source of climate solutions.

Make a date for ocean action

Data Highlights by topic

Global ocean heat content

The past five years have been the warmest years in the ocean on record.

Carbon dioxide (direct measurement)

Global CO2 emissions have risen steadily in recent decades.

Global wild capture landings

Annual production from capture fisheries has remained largely stable or slightly declining for the past 20 years.

IUU estimate as a portion of total wild capture landings

Illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) catch may account for as much as 25% of wild capture landings.

Global aquaculture production (1976–2016)

Aquaculture production has grown steadily.

Scenarios of MPA progress toward global targets

Less than 6 percent of the world’s ocean is protected in implemented MPAs.

Global plastics production (1950–2015)

Roughly half of all plastic ever produced was made in the last 15 years.

Newsletter Signup for Our Shared Seas

Global CO₂ emissions have risen steadily in recent decades.