The oceans and its resources are the lifelines of Asia and the Pacific. While being the resource for some of the region’s key economic sectors, such as seaborne trade, fisheries and tourism, oceans are also the source of well-being, culture and identity for thousands of coastal communities. The conditions of the oceans are inextricably linked to the pathways to sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.
Various indicators, however, are suggesting that the oceans are becoming more fragile with the pressing impacts of climate change and marine pollution as two of the key factors behind their deterioration. Unsustainable economic practices, such as overfishing, are reducing fish stock to biologically unsustainable levels.
- The region faces severe data deficits in tracking Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 (Life Below Water), with sufficient data available for only one out of ten official indicators. Strengthening national statistical systems, expanding ocean accounts, and breaking down data silos are vital to establishing evidence-based marine governance.
- Restoring depleted fish stocks requires robust enforcement of international agreements (such as the FAO Port State Measures Agreement), elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies, enhanced transboundary data-sharing, and expanded ecosystem-based management.
- Addressing the plastic crisis demands a transition toward a circular plastic economy. Key actions include phasing out single-use plastics through national bans or taxes, improving land-based waste management across major river basins, and enforcing regional action plans.
“In Asia and the Pacific, data are sufficient to measure progress for only one of the ten globally agreed Sustainable Development Goal 14 indicators, highlighting a severe information gap in ocean governance.”
“Over 80% of world merchandise trade by volume is carried by sea, with Asian ports handling two-thirds of global container throughput and hosting nine of the world’s ten busiest ports.”
