The Global Integrated World Ocean Assessment: Linking Observations to Science and Policy Across Multiple Scales

Abstract

Evans et al.The World Ocean Assessment objectives of the Regular Process is included in the assessment. This community white paper discusses developments in linking ocean observations and science with policy achieved as part of the assessment process, and those required for providing strategic linkages into the future.

100 Opportunities for More Inclusive Ocean Research: Cross-Disciplinary Research Questions for Sustainable Ocean Governance and Management

“…To inform sustainable management of the use of our oceans and coasts, vast amounts of ocean data are needed to understand and predict how marine ecosystems will respond to the rapid increase of global change (Pereira et al, 2010). Environmental and socio-economic data are needed for indicators, models, mapping efforts, and risk assessments that can inform decisions (Evans et al, 2019). Furthermore given the magnitude of existing and emerging data and 'Big Data, ' new approaches for interpreting and synthesizing these data is critically lacking (Reichstein et al, 2019).…”

“…The connectivity and dynamics of ocean processes in space and time remain poorly understood, and typical data and/or capacity gaps can exist that challenge data collection, especially in areas that are remote, difficult to sample, and or face particularly rapid increase in human activities (e.g., coastal areas, the deep sea, and Arctic) (Halpern et al, 2015;Menegotto and Rangel, 2018). The benefits of policies and practices that incentivize and regulate the sharing and dissemination of data are receiving increased attention (Claudet et al, 2019;Evans et al, 2019;Weller et al, 2019). Environmental and socio-economic data are essential for decision making, and cross-disciplinary collaboration is required to design and prioritize data collection and monitoring (Claudet et al, 2019;deYoung et al, 2019;Evans et al, 2019;Kaiser et al, 2019).…”

Sustainable Development-utopia or our chance? Some thoughts on the state of the SDG implementation with respect to the ocean

“…For many years, human activities have caused noticeable environmental damage, and we are still at a stage of trying to identify its nature and scale. The development and further implementation of the tools and means for mitigation and hence limitation of human impacts are necessary actions, which humans must undertake in order to control these problems (Ruwa et al, 2017, Evans et al 2019). However, continued increase in global production, results in increased emissions and discharges of various substances (including, those which are hazardous) into the ocean.…”

“…securing proper management of fish stocks and protecting fish and seaweed quality to safeguard the vital role of food from the sea in securing food for the world's population (Ruwa et al, 2017). This is also done through the support of small-scale fisheries, which provide food and hence income, similarly to sustainability achieved in such sectors as tourism, shipping and sea-oriented industries (Ruwa et al, 2017, Evans et al 2019.…”

“…To enhance our knowledge of the state of the ocean and provide effective management tools to achieve its sustainable use, we need enhanced support for scientific research and better means for technology transfer. One way of achieving it is to follow the philosophy, which has been set behind the Sustainable Development Goals (Ruwa et al, 2017, Evans et al 2019. All 17 goals are fully interrelated, and thus meeting the target of one of them ensures that all other targets associated with other goals are also met.…”