Goal 14 : Life Below Water
Why does this goal matter?
The global climate system is regulated and supported by our oceans and seas, which are host to numerous species and their habitats. Exploitation has led to a high level of degradation; thus, a sustainable recovery will contribute towards ensuring the conservation of the world’s marine life.
What are this goal’s targets?
REDUCE MARINE POLLUTION
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
PROTECT AND RESTORE ECOSYSTEMS
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
REDUCE OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
Minimise and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
SUSTAINABLE FISHING
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
CONSERVE COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS
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
REDUCE ROAD INJURIES AND DEATHS
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, recognising that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organisation fisheries subsidies negotiation
INCREASE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE RESOURCES
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
INCREASE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, RESEARCH
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
SUPPORT SMALL SCALE FISHERS
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE INTERNATIONAL SEA LAW
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, 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