Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development
SDG 14 centers on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. It addresses issues such as marine pollution, overfishing, and the protection of marine biodiversity.
- By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce all forms of marine pollution, especially from land-based activities, such as marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems by 2020, strengthening resilience and taking action for restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
- Minimize and address ocean acidification impacts through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.
- By 2020, regulate harvesting effectively, end overfishing, illegal practices, and destructive fishing, implementing science-based management plans to restore fish stocks.
- Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020, following national and international law and based on the best available scientific information.
- Prohibit certain fisheries subsidies by 2020 that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate those aiding illegal practices, and avoid introducing new such subsidies.
- By 2030, increase economic benefits for small island developing States and least developed countries through sustainable marine resource use.
- Improve scientific knowledge, research capacity, and marine technology transfer to enhance ocean health and contribute to developing countries’ development.
- Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.
- Enhance ocean conservation and sustainable use by implementing international law, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.