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➼ Main Goal: To preserve any biodiversity and the health of the marine ecosystems.

This ecosystem plays a role in providing resources for millions, helping with global food security, trade, and transportation by water means.

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SDG 14 focuses primarily on the protection and revitalization of the marine life. Marine biodiversity is declining at a alarming rate globally. This decline not only affect the life in the water but also mankind as well. Climate regulation, coastal regulation, recreational activities, food and medical products, livelihood in terms of jobs are all affected with this ecosystem is threatened with extinction. Due to such importance, safeguarding is essential for the projectivity of sea life. Without proper funding and support from other wildlife communities, habitat degeneration, pollution, eutrophication, oxygen depletion, introduced pests, and ocean warming will all occur. To combat this, the implementation of Marine protected areas which limits the amount of processes that involve extraction.

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doi: 10.1007/s11160-022-09700-3.

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

² Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

³ CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

⁴ Adelaide Law School, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia.

⁵ South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Stanley, Falkland Islands.

⁶ Silwood Park Campus, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Berkshire, SL5 7PY UK.

⁷ Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 5050, Saint John,, New Brunswick E2L 4L5 Canada.

⁸ Hereditary Chief, Haida Nation, PO Box 1451, Skidegate, B.C. V0T 1S1 Canada.

⁹ Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

¹⁰ Integrated Fisheries Lab, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada.

¹¹ Tasmanian School of Business & Economics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

¹² Carmabi, Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity, Piscaderabaai z/n, Willemstad, Curaçao.

doi: 10.1007/s11160-022-09700-3.

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

² Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

³ CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

⁴ Adelaide Law School, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia.

⁵ South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Stanley, Falkland Islands.

⁶ Silwood Park Campus, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Berkshire, SL5 7PY UK.

⁷ Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 5050, Saint John,, New Brunswick E2L 4L5 Canada.

⁸ Hereditary Chief, Haida Nation, PO Box 1451, Skidegate, B.C. V0T 1S1 Canada.

⁹ Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

¹⁰ Integrated Fisheries Lab, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada.

¹¹ Tasmanian School of Business & Economics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia.

¹² Carmabi, Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity, Piscaderabaai z/n, Willemstad, Curaçao.

Abstract

Marine ecosystems and their associated biodiversity sustain life on Earth and hold intrinsic value. Critical marine ecosystem services include maintenance of global oxygen and carbon cycles, production of food and energy, and sustenance of human wellbeing. However marine ecosystems are swiftly being degraded due to the unsustainable use of marine environments and a rapidly changing climate. The fundamental challenge for the future is therefore to safeguard marine ecosystem biodiversity, function, and adaptive capacity whilst continuing to provide vital resources for the global population. Here, we use foresighting/hindcasting to consider two plausible futures towards 2030: a business-as-usual trajectory (i.e. continuation of current trends), and a more sustainable but technically achievable future in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We identify key drivers that differentiate these alternative futures and use these to develop an action pathway towards the desirable, more sustainable future. Key to achieving the more sustainable future will be establishing integrative (i.e. across jurisdictions and sectors), adaptive management that supports equitable and sustainable stewardship of marine environments. Conserving marine ecosystems will require recalibrating our social, financial, and industrial relationships with the marine environment. While a sustainable future requires long-term planning and commitment beyond 2030, immediate action is needed to avoid tipping points and avert trajectories of ecosystem decline. By acting now to optimise management and protection of marine ecosystems, building upon existing technologies, and conserving the remaining biodiversity, we can create the best opportunity for a sustainable future in 2030 and beyond.

Keywords: Ecosystem management; Ecosystem services; Foresighting/hindcasting; Indigenous knowledge; Integrated management; Stewardship; Sustainable Development Goals.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestNone.

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national center for biotechnology information

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Safeguarding marine life: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems - PubMed

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Marine ecosystems and their associated biodiversity sustain life on Earth and hold intrinsic value. Critical marine ecosystem services include maintenance of global oxygen and carbon cycles, production of food and energy, and sustenance of human wellbeing. However marine ecosystems are swiftly being ...

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➼ Target 14.1: Reduce Marine Pollution

Reduce the amount and prevent pollutions that negatively impact the ocean.

➼ Target 14.2: Protect and restore ecosystems

Be able to protect and manage marine ecosystems to avoid any adverse impacts. Take restorative action on any damage that is to come.

➼ Target 14.3: Reduce Ocean Acidification

Minimize any ocean acidification by utilizing scientific means to address the issues in this aspect.

➼Target 14.4: Sustainable Fishing

End the overuse of overfishing, illegal, and unreported and unregulated fishing. Create a system that helps to restore the marine life that was lost.

➼ Target 14.5: Conserve coastal and marine areas

Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas by using national and international laws.

➼ Target 14.6: End subsidies contributing to overfishing

Prohibit some fisheries subsidies which can combat overcapacity and overfishing. Also, rid of subsidies that allows for illegal or unreported fishing to occur.

➼ Target 14.7: Increase the economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources

Giving benefits to encourage other states and other countries to uphold the standard of fisheries to protect the ocean.

➼ Target 14.8: Increase scientific knowledge, research, and technology for ocean health

By expanding knowledge, there will be more education on the proper ways to improve the oceans health and incorporating other countries in the contribution of marine life.

➼ Target 14.9: Support small scale fishers

Provide more access to smaller scale fishers for marine resources.

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Due to pollution, overfishing, and climate change the state of marine life is fragile. Many scientists believe that if there is no conservation plans, then by 2050:

All coral reefs will die which house 25% of marine life. This is turn will cause a loss of habitat and more death for certain species.

Coastal fishing industries would collapse due to lessening amount of marine life.

Coastal tourism would shrink which in turn impacts the funds that are used to protect and maintain the wildlife in the sea.

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➼ Aim to protect and ensure appropriate use of the oceans

➼ Reduce the marine pollution and ocean acidification

➼ End overfishing

➼Use science based management

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Individual

1. Conserve water: Using less water prevents runoff and wastewater from running into the ocean

2. Reduce pollutants: Choose nontoxic chemicals and dispose of any chemical products properly

3. Reduce waste: Reduce what is thrown away by using recyclable items.

4. Buy sustainable seafood

5. Reduce vehicle pollution: Use fuel efficient vehicles, carpool, or use a bicycle

Corporations

1. Fish responsibly: Follow catch and release practices to help limit the amount of fish that are dying.

2. Practice Safe Boating: Anchor away from coral and sea grasses to protect species habitat

Community

1. Volunteer: Do cleanups at the beach with community.

2. Fundraisers: Raise money to donate to organizations for the protection of marine life.

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SDG 14: Initiatives for conservation of marine life

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SDG 14: Initiatives for conservation of marine life

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➼ Launching artic community wildlife grants

Allows for the community to be more involved by offering support with conservation, research initiatives, and stewardship.

➼ Using local leaders to lead to community led conservation

Assists community leaders and local organizations to directly oversee the protection and management of oceans and coasts.

➼ Community delegates to safeguard Artic watch

Using other communities such as Alaska native communities, allows for more aid in protecting the marine biodiversity.

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References

1. Barnes, E. (2024, December 19). How coastal communities and WWF advanced conservation in 2024. World Wild Life. https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/how-coastal-communities-and-wwf-advanced-conservation-in-2024

2. Ward, D., Melbourne-Thomas, J., Pecl, G. T., Evans, K., Green, M., McCormack, P. C., Novaglio, C., Trebilco, R., Bax, N., Brasier, M. J., Cavan, E. L., Edgar, G., Hunt, H. L., Jansen, J., Jones, R., Lea, M. A., Makomere, R., Mull, C., Semmens, J. M., Shaw, J., … Layton, C. (2022). Safeguarding marine life: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. Reviews in fish biology and fisheries, 32(1), 65–100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-022-09700-3

3. Goal 14 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal14

4. How can you help our ocean? (n.d.). NOAA's National Ocean Service. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html

5. — SDG Indicators. (n.d.). — SDG Indicators. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2022/goal-14/