Towards a Global, Sustainable Ocean Observation System Serving Socio-Ecosystems
CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research)
(
Academic institution
)
#OceanAction59373
Description
As climate change intensifies, the ocean is undergoing profound transformations, with cascading impacts on ecosystems, weather patterns, and human societies. Acting as a major heat and carbon sink, the ocean is central to the Earth’s climate system. Monitoring changes in ocean conditions—such as temperature, salinity, and circulation—is critical for understanding marine ecosystem health and anticipating extreme events like marine heatwaves, cyclones, and coastal flooding.
These shifts also influence atmospheric dynamics, driving more frequent and intense weather events. To address these challenges, a sustained, accurate, and globally coordinated ocean observing system is essential. Such a system must integrate diverse knowledge—scientific, local, and Indigenous—and support inclusive, transdisciplinary approaches inspired by the broader spirit of SDG 14.
This vision calls for interoperable systems across physical, ecological, and socio-economic domains, enabling timely, policy-relevant data. It builds on existing efforts like GOOS, GEO BON, and Future Earth, encouraging collaboration across sectors. Rather than creating new structures, it emphasizes enhancing coordination, addressing fragmentation, and filling knowledge gaps.
To expand capacity, the system should include innovative, low-cost technologies and participatory methods, especially in under-observed regions, to meet growing needs for real-time data, early warnings, and adaptation strategies.
This document presents a joint manifesto, structured around key messages and 4 strategic priorities to strengthen ocean observation, reflecting a shared vision and outlining concrete pathways for future action.
Key Messages
- Ocean observation is essential public infrastructure: It must be recognized, protected, and sustainably funded as a global public good that supports adaptation, risk reduction, and informed governance.
- GOOS is a foundational success: The Global Ocean Observing System has enabled a coordinated, multi-platform approach to ocean data, benefitting multiple sectors.
- Urgent investment is needed: Scaling up observation efforts, especially in under-observed regions, requires long-term and equitable funding strategies.
- Inclusion and co-production are vital: Incorporating Indigenous, local, and citizen-generated knowledge, alongside social science perspectives, increases the legitimacy and usability of ocean intelligence.
Strategic Priorities
1. Integration of Natural and Social Sciences
Encourage methodological innovation and the co-production of knowledge that values diverse indicators—such as human health, cultural values, and socio-ecological relationships—alongside biophysical data.
2. Mainstreaming Ocean Data into Policy
Strengthen institutional bridges between observing systems and decision-making across sectors like energy, health, fisheries, and urban planning, to ensure ocean data informs public policies.
3. Institutional Innovation for Actionable Intelligence
Promote inclusive advisory mechanisms and improved science-policy interfaces. Foster foresight processes that translate complex data into fair, just, and timely decisions.
4. Ocean Intelligence in Global Diplomacy
Embed ocean observation in ocean-climate diplomacy and sustainable development strategies. Support international cooperation through initiatives such as the European Ocean Pact or similar frameworks.
Credit Image : Sabrina Speich
CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research, France)
University of São Paulo & PROASA FAPESP (Brazil)
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro & INCT-BAA (Brazil)
GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System)
ISC (International Science Council)
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
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
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress

Feedback
Action Network

Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Other beneficiaries
Ocean Basins
Communities of Ocean Action
More information
Countries


Contact Information
Sabrina , Ocean Observations for Physics and Climate (OOPC) co-chair and scientific expert advisory group sponsored by GOOS, GCOS, and WCRP