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Goal 14 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs

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I love animals and I find marine animals very interesting which is why I picked this SDG. I also love water and seeing the clear water at the beaches.

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SDG 14 aims to increase efforts to conserve and sustainably use the oceans. These efforts are measured and monitored through 10 interrelated targets.

SDG target 14.4 is designed to regulate fishing activities and eliminate overfishing as well as illegal, unreported, unregulated, and destructive fishing. Overfishing occurs when too many fish are caught too quickly, without allowing time for the population to recover. This threatens the marine environment and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

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The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. How we manage this vital resource is essential for humanity as a whole, and to counterbalance the effects of climate change.

Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. However, today we are seeing 30 percent of the world’s fish stocks overexploited, reaching below the level at which they can produce sustainable yields.

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By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

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According to UT at Dallas Sustainable Development Goal 14 is important both for protecting ocean ecosystems and preserving an essential global resource. The ocean ultimately provides and regulates rainwater, drinking water, much of our food, and even our weather.

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Healthy oceans and seas are essential to our existence. They cover 70 percent of our planet and we rely on them for food, energy and water. Yet, we have managed to do tremendous damage to these precious resources. We must protect them by eliminating pollution and overfishing and immediately start to responsibly manage and protect all marine life around the world.

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Target 14.2 really caught my eye and I found it interesting. It states that by 2020, they want to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

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This foundation is a non-governmental organization that takes part in marine conservation and does many projects to help. For example they do beach clean-ups and reef clean-ups. They conduct these projects regularly to ensure a healthy beach and a healthy ocean.

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I saw that the SDG website had beach clean-ups which I was always interested in but never able to do. They are conducted twice every month and are aimed at keeping the Rock Beach in Puducherry clean. They try to do that as well to also spread awareness about marine pollution and how it's affecting life in the oceans.

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• Find a charity that supports SGD #14 and donate anything to help.

• Never buy bottled water

• Reduce Waste

• Run a campaign on the effects of plastic use on the seas and oceans

• Organize a cleanup project for rivers and oceans

• Buy local and certified fish

• Stay informed

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This article talks about how Europe has faced this goal and improved. For instance, "In 2023, the quality of water on coastal bathing sites in the EU was very high with 88.4% of sites rated excellent, which was an increase of 3.4 percentage points (pp) when compared with 2013 (85.4%) and shows stability compared with 2022 (88.9%)."

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The Sustainable Development Goal ’Life below water

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Malaysia has been trying to improve their states that connect to SDG #14. They have many challenges to overcome but for now they are keeping the proportion of fish caught from over-exploited or collapsed stock at sustainable level. Malaysia has also retained close to zero percentage for fish caught which later was discarded. They also have areas of concern that revolve around protection of key biodiversity areas and general marine areas, trawling and cleanliness of the ocean.

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LIFE BELOW WATER The seas and oceans play a vital role in providing and regulating the climate, the food, rainwater and oxygen for this earth. Malaysia has major challenges to overcome before achieving the targets for SDG 14. Malaysia has largely kept the proportion of fish caught from overexploited or collapsed stock at sustainable level.

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In Africa, low levels of funding for ‘life below water’ by governments, the private sector and donors indicate that ‘seablindness’ still prevails. This is despite Africa’s blue economy already generating US$300 billion and supporting about 50 million direct jobs and 12 million in the fisheries sector alone. The continent’s 13 million square kilometres of maritime exclusive economic zones could unlock ample development benefits. These seascapes are home to ecosystems teeming with biodiversity that form the foundation of Africa’s blue economy and need better protection.

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Lack of funding could sink Africa’s ocean protection efforts | ISS Africa

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Africa must invest in ‘life below water’ – the Sustainable Development Goal that can unlock economic and climate benefits.

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In Chile, research has shown that there are 5,000 pieces of plastic per square kilometre within 1,000 km of the coast, while in the waters of Easter Island these figures reach 50,000 pieces per square kilometre.The Caribbean is home to 26,000 km of coral reefs, representing 7% of these ecosystems worldwide. According to the World Resources Institute, 75% of coral reefs in the Caribbean currently face medium and high threat levels. About 10% of coral reefs are on the verge of collapse and show no live coral cover. Moreover, 70% of beaches in the region are rapidly eroding.

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I found out that lionfish are spreading from the Cariabbean to Brazil where they damage coral reefs and other species. According to The Conversation, Brazil’s coastal waters teem with a rich array of species that paint a living tapestry beneath the waves. The southwestern Atlantic is home to 111 endemic reef fish species, each of which plays a crucial role in the intricate web of marine life.New invasion fronts have quickly opened along Brazil’s north and northeast coasts, covering eight states and diverse marine habitats.They are aggressive, persistent hunters that feed on smaller fish, including species that keep coral reefs clean and others that are food for important commercial species like snappers and groupers. In a 2008 study, when lionfish appeared on reefs in the Bahamas, populations of small juvenile reef fish declined by 80% within five weeks.

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Brazil's coastal waters teem with a rich array of species that paint a living tapestry beneath the waves. This underwater world is particularly special because many of its species are endemic - they are found nowhere else on Earth. The southwestern Atlantic is home to 111 endemic reef fish species, each of which plays a crucial role in the intricate web of marine life.

An uninvited guest has arrived in these tropical waters: the Pacific red lionfish ( Pterois volitans). Renowned for its stunning appearance and voracious appetite, the lionfish was first detected off of Florida in 1985 and has spread throughout the Caribbean, killing reef fish in large numbers.

Now it has breached a formidable obstacle: the Amazon-Orinoco river plume, which flows into the Atlantic from northeastern Brazil. This massive discharge of fresh water has long functioned as a barrier separating Caribbean fish species from those farther south along Brazil's coastline.

Scientists and environmental managers widely agree that the lionfish invasion in Brazil is a potential ecological disaster. As a marine ecologist, I believe mitigating the damage will require a comprehensive approach that addresses the ecological, social and economic harms wrought by this predatory fish.

Tracing the lionfish's spread

It's easy to see why lionfish appeal to aquarium enthusiasts. Native to the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean, they are 12 to 15 inches long, with red and white stripes and long, showy fins. They protect themselves with dorsal spines that deliver painful venomous stings.

Lionfish were first detected in the Atlantic Ocean in 1985 off Dania Beach, Florida, probably discarded by a tropical fish collector. Since then they have spread throughout the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and northward as far as Bermuda and North Carolina - one of the most successful marine invasions on record. A close relative, the common lionfish or devil firefish ( Pterois miles), has invaded the Mediterranean Sea and is spreading rapidly there.

Lionfish can be eaten safely if they are properly prepared to remove their venomous spines. In Florida and the Caribbean, lionfish hunting tournaments have become popular as a control method. However, lionfish move to deeper waters as they grow, so hunting alone can't prevent them from spreading.

Marine scientists have anticipated for years that lionfish would someday arrive along the eastern coast of South America. A single sighting in 2014, far removed from the Amazon-Orinoco plume, was likely a result of an aquarium release rather than a natural migration.

Then in December 2020, local fishermen caught a pair of lionfish on coral reefs in the mesophotic, or "twilight," zone several hundred feet below the mighty Amazon River plume. A scuba diver also encountered a lionfish in the oceanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, 220 miles (350 kilometers) off Brazil's tropical coast.

New invasion fronts have quickly opened along Brazil's north and northeast coasts, covering eight states and diverse marine habitats. More than 350 lionfish have been tallied along a 1,720-mile (2,765-kilometer) swath of coastline.

Aggressive predators without natural enemies

Like many introduced species, lionfish in the Atlantic don't face natural population control mechanisms such as predation, disease and parasitism that limit their numbers in the Indo-Pacific. A 2011 study found that lionfish on reefs in the Bahamas were larger and more abundant than their Pacific counterparts.

Lionfish thrive in many marine habitats, from mangroves and seagrass beds to deepwater reefs and shipwrecks. They are aggressive, persistent hunters that feed on smaller fish, including species that keep coral reefs clean and others that are food for important commercial species like snappers and groupers. In a 2008 study, when lionfish appeared on reefs in the Bahamas, populations of small juvenile reef fish declined by 80% within five weeks.

Brazil's northeast coast, with its rich artisanal fishing activity, stands on the front line of this invasive threat. Lionfish are present in coastal mangrove forests and estuaries - brackish water bodies where rivers meet the sea. These areas serve as nurseries for important commercial fish species. Losing them would increase the risk of hunger in a region that is already grappling with substantial social inequality.

Fishers also face the threat of lionfish stings, which are not lethal to humans but can cause painful wounds that may require medical treatment.

Facing the invasion: Brazil's challenges

Biological invasions are easiest to control in early stages, when the invader population is still growing slowly. However, Brazil has been slow to react to the lionfish incursion.

The equatorial southwestern Atlantic, where the invasion is taking place, has been less thoroughly surveyed than the Caribbean. There has been little high-resolution seabed mapping, which would help scientists identifying potential lionfish habitats and anticipate where lionfish might spread next or concentrate their populations. Understanding of the scale of the invasion is largely based on estimates, which likely underrepresent its true extent.

Moreover, turbid waters along much of Brazil's coast make it hard for scientists to monitor and document the invasion. Despite their distinctive appearance, lionfish are difficult to spot and record in murky water, which makes it challenging for scientists, divers and fishers to keep an accurate record of their spread.

Still another factor is that from 2018 through 2022, under former President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's government sharply cut the national science budget, reducing funding for field surveys. The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced field research because of lockdowns and social distancing measures.

Making up for lost time

Brazil has a history of inadequately monitoring for early detection of marine invasions. The lionfish is no exception. Actions thus far have been reactive and often initiated too late to be fully effective.

As one of many Brazilian scientists who warned repeatedly about a potential lionfish invasion over the past decade, I'm disheartened that my country missed the window to take early action. Now, however, marine researchers and local communities are stepping up.

Given the length of Brazil's coast, traditional monitoring methods are often insufficient. So we've turned to citizen science and information technology to fill the gaps in our knowledge.

In April 2022, a group of academic researchers spearheaded the launch of an online dashboard, which is updated continuously with data from scientific surveys and local community self-reports. This interactive platform is maintained by a research group led by marine scientists Marcelo Soares and Tommaso Giarrizzo from the Federal University of Ceará.

The dashboard allows anyone, from fishers to recreational divers and tourists, to upload data on lionfish observations. This information supports rapid response efforts, strategic planning for preventive measures in areas still free from lionfish, and the development of localized lionfish removal programs.

I believe lionfish are here to stay and will integrate over time into Brazil's marine ecosystems, much as they have in the Caribbean. Given this reality, our most pragmatic and effective strategy is to reduce lionfish populations below levels that cause unacceptable ecological harm.

Regions along the coast that are still lionfish-free might benefit from early and preventive actions. Comprehensive surveillance plans should include environmental education programs about exotic species; early detection approaches, using techniques such as analyzing environmental DNA; citizen science initiatives to monitor and report lionfish sightings, participate in organized culls and help collect research data; and genetic surveys to identify patterns of connectivity among lionfish populations along Brazil's coast and between Brazilian and Caribbean populations.

Brazil missed its initial opportunity to prevent the lionfish invasion, but I believe that with strategic, swift action and international collaboration, it can mitigate the impacts of this invasive species and safeguard its marine ecosystems.
This article has been updated to reflect that the correct number of endemic reef fish species in the southwestern Atlantic is 111.

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Invasive lionfish have spread south from the Caribbean to Brazil, threatening ecosystems and livelihoods

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One of the most damaging invasive species in the oceans has breached a major barrier - the Amazon-Orinoco river plume - and is spreading along Brazil's coast. Scientists are trying to catch up.

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In the case of whales, once ingested, the plastics can accumulate in the stomach, with the mass eventually becoming so big that it obstructs the bowels and the whale starves to death. Sometimes, whales become entangled in fishing nets and rope and die that way.

Pacific Whale Foundation Eco-Adventures Australia, has been running coastal marine clean-ups for many years in Hervey Bay, but since 2019 the aim has been to also record the types and quantity of debris found on the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) database run by Tangaroa Blue.

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SDG 14: Life Below Water - Marine Debris Tracking and Removal

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Life Below Water | Marine Debris Tracking and Removal | UN Sustainability Development Goals

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According to The Conversation, "the water off South Florida is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) in mid-July, and scientists are already seeing signs of coral bleaching off Central and South America. Particularly concerning is how early in the summer we are seeing these high ocean temperatures. If the extreme heat persists, it could have dire consequences for coral reefs. Healthy coral reef ecosystems are important for humans in numerous ways.Coral reefs are hot spots of biodiversity. They are often referred to as the rainforests of the sea because they are home to the highest concentrations of species in the ocean."

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Corals are starting to bleach as global ocean temperatures hit record highs

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Water temperatures in the 90s off Florida in July are alarming, a NOAA coral scientist writes. Scientists in several North American countries have already spotted coral bleaching off their coasts.

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Stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific have highlighted the need for more and better sustainable waste management systems. The utilization of single-use plastics has skyrocketed during the pandemic, and rivers and oceans saw an increase in plastic pollution due to mandatory use of personal protective equipment kits, at-home tests kits, and face masks, which are usually made of polypropylene and are designed for disposal after a single use. According to the responses in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission on Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) multi-stakeholder 2021 survey, this trend of poorly discarded waste is one of the greatest challenges in the realization of SDG 14.

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Here is some data about their progress in Life Below Water. Fish Stocks Fished or below MSY, which is SDG 14.4.1, were 47% in 2020 and 34% in 2013. The coverage of protected areas about marine areas, 2020, SDG 14.5.1, is a marine protected area network of 2.13% of the total maritime area of 488,762 km2. The Irish government funding is 91.6 million euros in the 2014-2020 funds, which is 14.b.1 in the SDG target.

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Sustainable Development Goal 14 Progress, Ireland

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See Ireland’s progress towards conserving and using oceans, seas and marine resources sustainably.

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I think I want to research Pollution which must be addressed to reach 14.1.1. I will focus on Latin America and The Caribbean and spread awareness. I want to research this because it is a big problem that is very common and has to do with other SDG goals. I also feel that it affects a lot of marine life that causes harm.

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How can water pollution decrease or improve in Chile and the Caribbean?

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Are there ways that can be in an everyday schedule for everyone to help with improving water pollution?

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Are there reasons when and how water pollution started to where it became a harsh condition world wide?

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Why and how does the trash that is being polluted destroy the coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef?

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Even though climate change is a big issue for coral reefs, what does pollution do to it and what are its effects?

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Rubbish pollution in the Great Barrier Reef

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Rubbish pollution in the Great Barrier Reef

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Billions of pieces of plastic waste, including discarded items and microplastics, litter coral reefs across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef. Plastic has direct negative impacts on Reef wildlife and habitats and on human health.

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Your actions matter; do these five things right now to help save the Great Barrier Reef.