Ocean Governance

Covering more than two-thirds of Earth’s surface, the ocean holds some of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity and contributes to the vital cycles that keep our planet—and people—healthy. It provides important food sources and supports diverse ecosystems that are crucial to the livelihoods of communities worldwide.

However, the health of the ocean is in decline. Technological advancements have made nearly every inch of the world’s marine waters increasingly accessible and vulnerable to extractive activities, including large-scale fishing, energy development and deep-sea mining. Habitat destruction caused by human activities is further compounded by the impacts of a changing climate.

These cumulative threats cannot be tackled by any nation nor any sector alone, and gaps in global ocean governance can be addressed effectively only through international cooperation. Since the ocean is an interconnected natural system governed by a patchwork of domestic and international jurisdictions, countries must work together to manage and safeguard its resources.

To meaningfully change the way the ocean’s natural assets are respected and protected, The Pew Charitable Trusts is working closely with governments, key stakeholders and partner organizations to develop policy mechanisms to address the negative human impacts on marine ecosystems.

The ocean governance project combines Pew’s efforts to: 

1. Implement and improve the World Trade Organization’s fisheries subsidies agreement. 
2. Secure and advance the United Nations high seas treaty. 
3. Secure and further execute the Convention on Biological Diversity’s target to protect 30% of global land and marine areas by 2030. 
4. Engage with the International Seabed Authority to ensure deep sea mining is prohibited unless effective protection of the marine environment can be assured.