Oceans Worldwide in Rapid Decline, New Report Warns
Brussels, Belgium – A comprehensive new report released today reveals a disturbing trend: the health of the world’s oceans is deteriorating at an accelerating rate, impacting every marine ecosystem from the tropics to the poles. The findings, compiled by the European Union’s Copernicus Marine Service, paint a stark picture of warming waters, pervasive pollution, and significant biodiversity loss.
The report, the ninth of its kind from Copernicus Marine, underscores a critical turning point. Scientists warn that no area of the ocean remains untouched by a “triple planetary crisis,” threatening marine life, global food security, and the overall health of the planet. The analysis, based on field measurements, satellite observations, and advanced computer modeling, confirms a worsening situation across key indicators, raising concerns about exceeding critical planetary limits.
A primary driver of the decline is ocean warming. Surface temperatures reached 21°C in 2023, with some areas of the Atlantic experiencing marine heat waves for 300 days. This warming, coupled with increasing ocean acidification, poses a direct threat to marine species and ecosystems.
Pollution, particularly plastic waste, is now ubiquitous throughout the oceans. Alongside this, the report highlights the spread of invasive species, rising sea levels, and the continued decline of sea ice as further compounding factors.
“It is one more step towards the planetary limits,” stated a Copernicus Marine Service official, referring to thresholds beyond which environmental changes could become irreversible and jeopardize human well-being. The 70 experts contributing to the report emphasize the urgent need for global action to mitigate these threats and protect the future of our oceans.
