Global Scans · Life Below Water · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

• [New] Through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed in 2022, governments have pledged to halt biodiversity loss, protect at least 30% of land and oceans by 2030, and restore degraded ecosystems. Greenpeace International
• [New] Around 80 million people are today living on land in coastal areas below sea level - almost twice previous estimates - dramatically increasing the numbers at risk as sea level rise accelerates in the coming decades. Yale E360
• [New] Data from tidal gauges shows that actual sea levels worldwide are on average 9.4 to 10.6 inches higher than predicted by models. Yale E360
• [New] An extreme marine heat wave is simmering the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, and experts are warning that it could affect coastal weather and ecosystems for months. Los Angeles Times
• [New] An extreme marine heat wave in the Pacific Ocean off California is breaking daily temperature records, with scientists warning the deep, persistent system could affect coastal weather and ecosystems for months. Los Angeles Times
• [New] The marine heat wave of 2026 is simmering the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, and experts are warning that it could lead to a warm, humid and stormy summer. Los Angeles Times
• [New] Ammonia will account for 8% of marine fuel demand in 2030, rising to 46% by 2050, indicating that demand for ammonia-powered vessels is expected to grow significantly. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] Ottawa-based Adaptive Marine Solutions Inc., alongside Norwegian partners Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Salt Ship Design, will steer the vessel design process, with industry engagement for construction set to begin later in 2026. Queen Street Analytics
• [New] As ports along the United States' West Coast pursue initiatives of their own, similar initiatives across the ocean will be key to scaling up the adoption of low-carbon shipping fuels in maritime trade. National Law Review
• [New] Coastal groundwater is a vital freshwater source threatened by overabstraction and sea-level rise, yet global patterns of declining groundwater levels and susceptibility to seawater intrusion remain poorly constrained. Nature
• [New] One of the main concerns is the possibility of disruptions in major maritime passages such as the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. Al Fares | Cargo service and Clearance
• [New] As part of a two-week truce, Tehran has agreed to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing risk from sea mines. Fibre2Fashion
• [New] Iran on Thursday issued fresh maritime guidance directing vessels to use alternative routes while transiting the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, citing risks posed by potential sea mines in the main navigation channel. India Seatrade News
• [New] Ships should use alternative routes through the Strait of Hormuz due to the risk of sea mines, even as it agreed to temporarily reopen the key waterway under a two-week ceasefire with the United States. Economic Times
• [New] In the western Indian Ocean, two cases were recorded off Somalia, including one hijacking and one attempted attack, reminding the maritime industry that piracy risks persist along strategic shipping corridors. MariTimes Crimes
• [New] NOAA can use data from the drones for mineral location, as well as energy development, conservation, or ocean modeling to better predict storm surge. Politico
• [New] Deep-sea mining could help the U.S. and its allies reduce dependence on China, which produces 90% of the world's rare earths. Politico
• [New] Without rapid scaling, marine electrification will not meaningfully reduce the 3% of global emissions from shipping in time to meet IMO's 2050 target. youth4planet
• [New] A third threat is that the concentration of marine battery manufacturing in China creates new dependencies. youth4planet
• [New] California's commercial ocean salmon fishery will reopen in 2026 after a three-year closure, while recreational anglers will see significantly expanded opportunities following dramatic improvements in key Chinook salmon populations. SeafoodNews
• [New] The USGS is working with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other partners to develop tools that forecast whether Chinook salmon in the lower Yukon River will be healthy enough to complete the 1,700-mile migration and successfully spawn. USGS
• [New] Reclamation poses a risk to nearby habitats such as the reefs around Sentosa as well as the marine life-rich Southern Islands. ST

Last updated: 26 April 2026