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] The Weddell Sea is one of the most extreme and challenging regions in Antarctica, known for its dense, unpredictable pack ice and extreme variability in sea and weather conditions. Cruise Industry News | Cruise News
• [New] Cold air mass from China will bring thunderstorms, drop in temperature, and strong winds to Thailand, with rough seas expected in Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. null
• [New] Sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea will become moderate, with wave heights reaching 2 meters or more, especially in areas with thunderstorms. null
• [New] The sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea will be moderate, with wave heights of around 2 meters in the lower Gulf. null
• [New] Under current national commitments to limit global warming to 2.7 °C above pre-industrial levels, the Arctic Ocean will likely become seasonally ice-free for several months each year. Arctic Portal - The Arctic Gateway
• [New] Melting ice from West Antarctica once delivered huge amounts of iron to the Southern Ocean, but algae growth did not increase as expected. ScienceDaily
• [New] Sea surface temperatures for February to April are forecast to be warmer than average across much of the globe, including around most of Australia. Mirage News
• [New] Sea surface temperatures are forecast to remain above average in the Australian region, although waters off the southern coasts are more likely to be closer to average. Mirage News
• [New] Fellows gain tactical skills, mentorship and access to high-level networks to strengthen their impact and advance the 30×30 roadmap, aiming to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. SEWF
• [New] The economic stakes are substantial: the OECD estimates that $50 trillion in coastal assets are at risk from sea level rise by 2070 under current trajectories. Sustainability Atlas
• [New] A highway designed for 75-year service life in a coastal region must incorporate 2100 sea level scenarios - potentially adding 0.3-0.6 meters to design flood elevations under moderate emissions pathways. Sustainability Atlas
• [New] Sea levels around the Canary Islands could rise by more than a foot by 2050 under the worst-case emissions scenario, with some cities facing even higher levels when land subsidence is taken into account. Yahoo News
• [New] Sea levels around the Canary Islands could rise by more than a foot by 2050 under the worst-case emissions scenario, emphasizing the need for region-specific models and continued monitoring to aid in adaptation planning. Yahoo News
• [New] The successful implementation of deep-sea mining operations could fundamentally restructure global critical mineral markets, shifting supply patterns and competitive dynamics across multiple industrial sectors. Discovery Alert
• [New] The Trump deep-sea mining strategy faces substantial political resistance across multiple levels of government and from diverse stakeholder groups, potentially creating legal challenges that could delay or modify implementation approaches. Discovery Alert
• [New] The International Seabed Authority characterised the US regulatory action as problematic, expressing concern that unilateral national approaches could destabilise global ocean governance frameworks. Discovery Alert
• [New] Looking ahead over 2026, on the supply side, global lithium resource supply is projected to increase to 2.266 million tonnes LCE, representing a 21.5% year-on-year growth, driven by the continued ramp-up of African spodumene and South American salt lake projects. Mysteel Global Pte Ltd
• Woodside Energy and Recfishwest have collaborated to install the Dampier Artificial Reef off the Western Australian coast; a purpose-built reef designed to enhance marine biodiversity and create new recreational fishing opportunities in the Pilbara region. Ipieca
• If agreed, a Global Ocean Treaty would be a crucial step towards covering international waters in a network of ocean sanctuaries - areas off-limits to destructive human activities like industrial fishing and the emerging threat of deep sea mining. Greenpeace International

Last updated: 08 February 2026