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Sailing towards a plastic-free ocean
Awareness of and global concern for marine plastic pollution continues to grow, with initiatives being implemented to tackle the problem worldwide. The Osaka Blue Ocean Vision,... -
A better world Vol 6 - action on SDG 14 to increase understanding of ocean debris
Marine plastic pollution is considered one of the most serious global environmental challenges, impacting marine life in every corner of the ocean. From surface waters to the... -
Area-based planning in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: A synthesis
This synthesis report draws on the different studies developed under the ABNJ Deep Seas project and provides insights into the future of cross-sectoral area-based planning in... -
Connectivity: A critical biodiversity consideration in global ocean sustainability
The relevance of connectivity for marine biodiversity has been recognised in the negotiations for a new international legally binding instrument for the conservation and... -
Learning from experience: case studies of area-based planning in ABNJ
Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) cover 40% of the surface of the planet, and provide a wide range of marine ecosystem services that play a vital role in supporting... -
Submarine Cables and the Oceans: Connecting the World
This report results from collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), which represents the... -
Supporting the Transition to a Healthy Ocean
Finding and sharing effective ways to manage the ocean and the growing demand for marine resources is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. UNEP-WCMC... -
Climate change and marine diseases: The socio-economic impact
Diseases in the marine environment are integral to the regulation of marine ecosystems. However, in recent decades, unprecedented disease outbreaks have brought into focus the... -
Global Protected Planet Reports
In 2010, the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2010-2020 and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. It has since... -
Ocean+ Library
Ocean+ Library connects to the latest data and online resources on ocean biodiversity. With technological advances, access to ocean data has increased dramatically, including... -
From Ocean to Aquarium: the global trade in marine ornamental species
From Ocean to Aquarium is the product of a collaboration between UNEP-WCMC, the Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) and the industry itself. It is the first of its kind, examining... -
Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative - Working Towards High Seas Conservation
In 2008, the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted scientific criteria for identifying ecologically or biologically significant marine areas in need of protection on the... -
Manual of marine and coastal datasets of biodiversity importance
Knowledge of marine and coastal datasets tends to be fragmented and/or difficult to access for the non-expert or ad hoc data user. To address this lack of information, this... -
Out of the Blue: The Value of Seagrasses to the Environment and to People
Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that are found in shallow waters in many parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic circle. Seagrass meadows are of fundamental... -
National and Regional Networks of Marine Protected Areas: A Review of Progress
This report aims to promote a better understanding of the underlying principals and scientific basis behind MPA network design, while disseminating experiences and lessons... -
Our Precious Coasts - Marine Pollution, Climate Change and the Resilience of...
Massive coral bleaching episodes have impacted the function of the reefs and increased rates of mortality. Coral reefs support over one million plant and animal species and... -
Marine and coastal ecosystem services: Valuation methods and their practical...
UNEP-WCMC Biodiversity Series No. 33 / UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 188. This report provides an overview of the main methods of economic valuation, their... -
Ocean+ Habitat Atlas User Manual
The Ocean+ Habitat Atlas (or Atlas) aims to produce the first online, authoritative database on the known extent of ecologically-important ocean habitats, such as seagrasses,... -
In the front line: Shoreline protection and other ecosystem services from...
The publication aims to help decision and policy makers around the world understand the importance of coastal habitats to humans, focusing on the role of coral reefs and... -
Horizon Scan of Pressures on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
Marine Areas Beyond the National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) occupy approximately 64 per cent of the surface of the Earth’s ocean (Global Ocean Commission, 2014) and 95 per cent of its...