Deep Dives
Thought-provoking research providing extensive learning opportunities

Ocean Acidification: Time for Action

Back to Blue, Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation

The role of action plans in tackling a mounting ocean crisis. Event summary report from "Confronting the Ocean Acidification Crisis." 

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The potential of ports in developing Sustainable First Mover Initiatives

SMFI Shipping & Ports

As global policies to advance the decarbonisation of shipping are to be implemented in the coming years, ports will play a critically important role this transition.

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Let's Be Nice to the Ocean: Thinking Outside the Box before the Third UN Ocean Conference

Rémi Parmentier with Guillermo Ortuño, The Varda Group

Published less than two years before the 3rd UN High-Level Ocean Con- ference takes place in Nice, France, in June 2025, this paper is part of a series started in 2021 to trigger and encourage conversations about innovative ways to improve ocean protection and governance.

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2023 Seafood Stewardship Index

World Benchmarking Alliance Fisheries & Aquaculture

The third iteration of the Seafood Stewardship Index ranks the sustainability performance of the world’s 30 most influential companies in the seafood industry, representing about a quarter of the world’s global seafood industry revenue.

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Digital twins: a stepping stone to achieve ocean sustainability?

Asaf Tzachor, Ofir Hendel & Catherine E. Richards, NPJ

New computer technology can substantially advance sustainable ocean management by safely assessing marine geoengineering alternatives.

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The Crimes Behind The Seafood You Eat

Ian Urbina, The New Yorker Fisheries & Aquaculture

China has invested heavily in an armada of far-flung fishing vessels, in part to extend its global influence. This maritime expansion has come at grave human cost.

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The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change: Five Opportunities for Action

High Level Panel for A Sustainable Ocean Economy Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture Shipping & Ports

Climate change poses stark risks to the health of the ocean and to the realisation of a prosperous and sustainable ocean economy. Acidification and rising ocean temperatures are negatively impacting important industries such as fishing and tourism, as well as the well-being of coastal populations. There is an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit further temperature rise.

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30x30 From Global Ocean Treaty to Protection at Sea

Greenpeace Fisheries & Aquaculture

The oceans face large-scale threats and there is little time left to deliver 30x30.

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Global Maritime Trends 2050

Economist Impact Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

Over the past decade, the maritime industry has made significant strides in its decarbonisation journey. A new report analyzes the improvements.

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A deeper dive into the blue economy: the role of the diving sector in conservation and sustainable development goals

Scripps Institution of Oceanography,

A new review paper by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego highlights the untapped potential of the diving community in advancing global marine conservation efforts.

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Analysis of Farmed Seaweed Carbon Crediting and Novel Markets to Help Decarbonize Supply Chains

The Nature Conservancy and Bain & Company Fisheries & Aquaculture

In partnership with Bain & Company, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) examined the potential to support significant near-term growth over the next five to ten years in seaweed farming through two analyses. 

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Bonds To Finance The Sustainable Blue Economy: A Practitioner's Guide

ADB, ICMA, IFC, UNEP FI and UNGC

A new guide from Asian Development Bank, International Capital Market Association, Internationl Finance Corporation, UNEP FI and UN Global Compact helps provide issuers with guidance on the key components involved in launching a credible “blue bond.”

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One Man's Quest to Heal the Oceans—And Maybe Save the World

Aryn Baker, TIME Magazine

This feature in Time Magazine's new Oceans Issue dives into the important work of marine conservationist and National Geographic Explorer Enric Sala. 

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Global Seaweed New And Emerging Markets Report

The World Bank Fisheries & Aquaculture

The Global Seaweed New and Emerging Markets Report has identified ten global seaweed markets with the potential to grow by an additional USD 11.8 billion by 2030. 

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How We Put the Blue in the Green New Deal

David Helvarg, Common Dreams Energy Solutions

The story of the grassroots initiative that launched a solution-oriented Ocean Climate Action Plan that helped shape the Biden Administration’s approach to climate.

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Alaska’s newest gold rush: Seaweed

Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post Fisheries & Aquaculture

The act of raising sea plants and bivalves — known as mariculture — is accelerating across the globe. Once largely concentrated in Asia, the industry has expanded to Europe and the United States.

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Plastic Is Everywhere—Except The One Place It Should Be

Ocean Conservancy Plastics & Pollution

How Investor and Company Climate Commitments Ignore Plastics and What to Do About It.

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Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change Mitigation Using Macroalgae: A State of Knowledge Review

Rita M. Franco-Santos, et al., Biological Reviews Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

An examination of over 180 publications synthesizes evidence regarding macroalgal forest carbon sequestration potential.

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The Blue Carbon Handbook

Oliver S. Ashford, et al., High Level Panel for A Sustainable Ocean Economy Energy Solutions Fisheries & Aquaculture

A guide to managing blue carbon ecosystems as a nature-based solution for supporting sustainable development.

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Engaging the Tropical Majority to Make Ocean Governance and Science More Equitable and Effective

NJP, Ocean Sustainability Tourism

The tropics are home to most of the world’s biodiversity and the majority of directly ocean-dependent people. These perspectives and knowledge uniquely valuable for identifying and addressing accelerating threats to marine ecosystems, and for understanding the limiting effects of systemic inequities in governance.

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