Resources - Ocean Central

A database of international trade statistics compiled by the United Nations, tracking the annual flow of plastic waste (classified under HS code 3915) between countries. The data reveals the scale and shifting geography of the global plastic waste trade.

A time series of global annual plastic production from 1950 to the present, drawing on Geyer et al. (2017) and OECD data processed by Our World in Data. The dataset documents the rapid and accelerating growth of plastic manufacturing over seven decades.

A technical methodology from the World Resources Institute describing the Aqueduct Floods tool, which models and maps riverine and coastal flood risks globally under current and future climate scenarios (2030, 2050, 2080). The tool estimates that by 2030, the number of people impacted by riverine flooding will double to 132 million, while coastal flooding impacts will double to 15 million people annually.

A NASA dataset providing monthly global measurements of Earth's energy balance at the top of the atmosphere, derived from the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instruments on the Terra, Aqua, and NOAA-20 satellites. The data track incoming solar radiation and outgoing reflected and emitted energy, which are fundamental to understanding climate change.

An evaluation of the world's conventional oil and gas resources across 425 sedimentary basins, covering remaining reserves, future reserve growth, and undiscovered resources in both onshore and offshore areas across all major regions.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted COP15 following a four year consultation and negotiation process. It supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and builds on the Convention’s previous Strategic Plans and sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Among the Framework’s key elements are 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.

A dataset of spatial and temporal patterns of mass coral bleaching events worldwide, based on Hughes et al. (2018) and processed by Our World in Data. The data documents the increasing frequency and geographic spread of coral bleaching driven by marine heatwaves and rising ocean temperatures.

A daily satellite monitoring product from NOAA Coral Reef Watch that detects and categorizes marine heatwave events across the global ocean at 5 km resolution. The product tracks the intensity, duration, and geographic extent of marine heatwaves from 1985 to the present.

A UN Environment Programme feature on the growing global crisis around sand extraction. Sand and gravel are the most extracted natural resources on Earth after water, with demand driven by construction, land reclamation, and infrastructure development. Unsustainable extraction threatens rivers, coastlines, and marine habitats worldwide.

A modelling study estimating that increasing nitrogen runoff from rivers caused a 5.8% rise in the global coastal nitrogen inventory between 1961 and 2010, contributing to increased coastal productivity, eutrophication, and benthic nutrient deposition.

Global energy consumption data broken down by source (oil, gas, coal, nuclear, hydropower, wind, solar, and other renewables) and by country, compiled from the Energy Institute's Statistical Review of World Energy and processed by Our World in Data.

A comprehensive assessment of the metal content — including cobalt, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements — found in deep-sea manganese nodules and ferromanganese crusts across the global ocean, compiled using the most extensive geochemical dataset to date.

A geospatial dataset from the Flanders Marine Institute that combines Exclusive Economic Zone boundaries with the International Hydrographic Organization's sea area boundaries. The intersected dataset provides a standardized spatial framework for attributing ocean areas to both the governing coastal nation and the named sea or ocean basin.

An FAO statistical query tool providing data on international trade in fish and seafood products, showing trade quantities between partner countries. The data supports analysis of global seafood trade flows and dependencies between exporting and importing nations.

FAO statistical datasets covering global fisheries and aquaculture production from 1950 to 2023, broken down by production source (capture fisheries vs. aquaculture), along with data on global aquatic trade by partner country from 2019 to 2023.

A geospatial reference system maintained by the Food and Agriculture Organization that divides the world's oceans and inland waters into standardized major fishing areas. These boundaries are used globally to report catch statistics, assess fish stock status, and coordinate fisheries management across regions.

A country-level dataset from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), processed by Our World in Data, showing per capita consumption of fish and seafood over time. The data tracks dietary patterns and the growing role of aquatic foods in global nutrition.

FAO data processed by Our World in Data showing global fish and seafood production over time, including both wild capture fisheries and aquaculture, broken down by country and production method.

An FAO desktop statistical tool providing comprehensive data on global capture fisheries and aquaculture production from 1950 to 2022, enabling analysis of long-term trends in how the world harvests and farms aquatic species.

A satellite-derived dataset mapping how deep artificial light at night (ALAN) penetrates into coastal and nearshore ocean waters worldwide. At a depth of 1 meter, approximately 1.9 million km² of the world's coastal seas — about 3.1% of global exclusive economic zones — are exposed to biologically significant levels of artificial light, with potential consequences for marine organisms whose life cycles are governed by natural light patterns.

A regularly updated global dataset mapping the known distribution of seagrass meadows, compiled by UNEP-WCMC from national and regional surveys. Seagrasses are among the most productive and ecologically important marine habitats, providing nursery grounds for fisheries, storing carbon, and stabilizing coastal sediments.

A dataset identifying over 33,000 seamounts and 138,000 knolls — undersea mountains rising from the ocean floor — using high-resolution global bathymetry data. Seamount habitats cover roughly 4.7% of the ocean floor, and less than 2% fall within marine protected areas.

The first modelled global map of kelp forests — underwater seaweed ecosystems of the order Laminariales — estimating they cover nearly 1.5 million km² and are present along 22% of the world's coastline, primarily in temperate and subpolar seas.

A compiled spatial dataset of the global distribution of tropical and subtropical coral reefs, drawing on contributions from multiple mapping efforts including the Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project. Maintained by UNEP-WCMC and partners, it is widely used as a baseline for conservation planning, threat assessments, and marine spatial management.

A U.S. Geological Survey data release mapping the global distribution of prospective regions for ferromanganese crusts and abyssal manganese nodules on the ocean floor. These mineral deposits contain concentrations of cobalt, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements that are of interest for potential deep-sea mining.

A satellite-based analysis of Landsat imagery from 2000 to 2019 that maps global salt marsh losses, gains, and recovery. The study finds a net global loss of 719 km² of salt marsh, resulting in an estimated 16.3 million metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions per year.

The first globally consistent map of mangrove forests, produced using satellite radar and optical imagery. The study identified approximately 137,600 km² of mangroves worldwide, with Asia holding the largest share (38.7%), and tracks changes in mangrove extent from 1996 to the present.

A component of the Global Mangrove Watch platform that identifies and maps the drivers of mangrove forest loss and gain worldwide. The data helps distinguish between different causes of mangrove change, such as coastal development, aquaculture expansion, erosion, and natural recovery.

A global spatial dataset of salt marsh locations compiled from multiple national and regional sources by UNEP-WCMC and collaborators. The map provides the most comprehensive available picture of where salt marshes occur worldwide, supporting research into their role as carbon stores, coastal buffers, and biodiversity habitats.

An analysis of over 700,000 satellite images that maps the global extent of and change in tidal flat ecosystems from 1984 to 2019. Tidal flats — including mudflats, sandflats, and other intertidal areas — are among the most threatened coastal habitats on Earth, providing critical feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds and supporting coastal fisheries.

A 2020 report to the International Whaling Commission analyzing 933 recorded collisions between vessels and cetaceans using the IWC Ship Strike Database. The study found that at least 36 species are affected, with fin whales and humpback whales most commonly struck. Over half of all reported cases came from just seven countries, and the data likely represents a significant undercount of actual collisions.

An operational ocean monitoring product from the EU's Copernicus Marine Service that provides global, three-dimensional analyses and forecasts of key biogeochemical variables including nutrients, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, and ocean carbon parameters. The data support research into ocean productivity, eutrophication, and deoxygenation.

Data from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information tracking the total heat stored in the global ocean over time. Ocean heat content is a critical climate indicator because the ocean absorbs more than 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, and rising ocean temperatures drive sea-level rise, coral bleaching, and changes in marine ecosystems.

A database maintained by Global Energy Monitor that catalogs oil and gas extraction projects worldwide, including their location, ownership, status, and production type. The tracker covers both onshore and offshore operations and is updated regularly to support energy policy and climate research.

OECD data processed by Our World in Data showing global plastics production broken down by application sector, including packaging, construction, transportation, textiles, and other uses. The data illustrates how different industries drive demand for plastic materials.

The Global Plastics Treaty is an emerging international agreement to end plastic pollution across its full lifecycle—from production to waste. Explore the negotiations, goals, and what a binding treaty could mean for ocean health

A comprehensive dataset of monthly time series tracking the components of global sea-level change, developed within ESA's Climate Change Initiative. It combines satellite altimetry, ocean temperature profiles, satellite gravity measurements, and modelled contributions from glaciers, ice sheets, and land water storage to assess how well the known contributors to sea-level rise account for the total observed change (approximately 3.05 mm per year from 1993 to 2016).

A 2023 World Bank report identifying ten emerging global seaweed markets with a potential combined growth of up to $11.8 billion by 2030. The report highlights seaweed farming's capacity to sequester carbon, sustain marine biodiversity, and generate income for coastal communities, while noting that 98% of farmed seaweed production currently comes from a handful of Asian countries.

NASA's long-running analysis of global surface temperature change, combining weather station data and ocean surface temperature measurements. The dataset, known as GISTEMP, is updated monthly and is widely used to track global warming trends over time.

A study using an improved coastal elevation model (CoastalDEM) that triples previous estimates of populations exposed to sea-level rise. The analysis finds that up to 190 million people currently live on land projected to fall below high tide lines by 2100 under low-emission scenarios.

A database from Global Energy Monitor cataloging wind power installations around the world, including onshore and offshore wind farms, with details on capacity, ownership, status, and location. The tracker supports research into the global transition to renewable energy.

A registry maintained by the International Seabed Authority listing all active exploration contracts for mineral resources on the international seabed. These contracts authorize exploration for polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, and polymetallic sulphides in areas beyond national jurisdiction, governed under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The International Seabed Authority's Deep Seabed and Ocean Database (DeepData), launched in 2019, is the largest publicly accessible repository of environmental and geological data from deep-sea mineral exploration activities in international waters. It contains data collected by exploration contractors on biological, physical, and geochemical conditions of deep-sea ecosystems, particularly in areas targeted for potential seabed mining.

The world's most comprehensive inventory of the conservation status of plant and animal species, maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Red List evaluates species against standardized criteria to classify them by extinction risk, from Least Concern to Critically Endangered and Extinct, and is a key tool for guiding conservation priorities worldwide.

Spatial distribution data from the IUCN Red List for hard corals (Order Scleractinia), providing geographic range maps that can be used to assess where reef-building coral species occur and how their conservation status varies across ocean regions.

A 2022 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine finding that land-based runoff — primarily from cities, highways, and vehicles — is the top source of oil entering the ocean, at an estimated volume up to 20 times higher than reported two decades ago. The report is the fourth in a series examining oil inputs, fates, and effects in North American waters.

A global biodiversity indicator maintained by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and WWF that tracks population trends of vertebrate species worldwide. The database holds time-series data for nearly 42,000 populations of over 5,500 mammal, bird, fish, reptile, and amphibian species. The most recent global index shows an average 73% decline in monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020.

A spatial analysis identifying where marine protected areas would best represent 30% of ocean biodiversity, using global measures spanning species richness, ecosystems, and key biomes such as seagrass, kelp, mangroves, and coral reefs to prioritize conservation areas.

An International Energy Agency (IEA) data visualization comparing the mineral requirements of clean energy technologies — such as wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicle batteries — with those of conventional power generation sources like coal and natural gas plants. The data highlights the substantially higher mineral intensity of the clean energy transition.

An IEA data visualization showing that electric cars require significantly more minerals than conventional vehicles, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite for batteries, plus copper for electrical wiring and motors. The data illustrates the growing demand for critical minerals as the automotive sector electrifies.

NASA's dedicated portal for sea-level change data and information, providing visualizations, datasets, and educational resources on how ice sheets, ocean warming, and land water storage contribute to global and regional sea-level rise.

A satellite-based monitoring system operated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that provides near-real-time data on sea surface temperatures, coral bleaching heat stress, and bleaching alert levels for coral reefs around the world.

Tide gauge-based sea level trend data from NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, showing long-term relative sea level changes at coastal stations around the United States and globally. These measurements complement satellite records by providing decades-long local observations.

A study demonstrating that underwater noise from commercial shipping elevates stress hormone levels in North Atlantic right whales, based on acoustic monitoring and hormone analysis of whale fecal samples collected before and after a reduction in ship traffic.

A gridded dataset reconstructing key ocean acidification parameters — including pH, partial pressure of CO₂, dissolved inorganic carbon, and total alkalinity — across the global ocean surface from 1985 to 2018 at monthly, 1°×1° resolution. Developed by ETH Zürich, it enables researchers to track how the ocean's chemistry is changing as it absorbs atmospheric CO₂.

An annually updated dataset from the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) tracking accidental oil spills from tankers since 1970. The data shows that spills exceeding 7 tonnes have declined by over 90% since the 1970s, even as global oil trade has grown. From 1970 to 2024, approximately 5.88 million tonnes of oil were lost from tanker incidents worldwide.

A global assessment of the condition of native oyster reefs across 144 bays and 44 ecoregions. The study estimates that 85% of oyster reefs have been lost worldwide, with more than 90% lost in the majority of bays examined. In many bays, oyster reefs have been lost to the point of functional extinction, largely due to centuries of overharvesting and coastal degradation.

UN Comtrade data processed by Our World in Data showing per capita exports of plastic waste by country, revealing which nations export the most plastic waste per person and how the global plastic waste trade has shifted over time.

A data-driven overview of how much plastic waste enters the world's oceans each year, including estimates of mismanaged waste by country, the role of rivers as primary transport pathways, and the geographic concentration of ocean-bound plastic pollution.

Data from Lebreton et al. (2022) processed by Our World in Data characterizing the composition and mass of plastic debris collected from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — the largest accumulation zone of ocean plastic, located between Hawaii and California.

The first comprehensive global accounting of all plastics ever manufactured, from 1950 to 2015. The study estimates that 8,300 million metric tons of virgin plastics have been produced to date, of which only 9% has been recycled, 12% incinerated, and 79% accumulated in landfills or the natural environment. At current rates, roughly 12,000 million metric tons of plastic waste could be in landfills or the environment by 2050.

The most comprehensive global database of marine and terrestrial protected areas, maintained by UNEP-WCMC and IUCN. It includes the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM), and is the reference dataset for tracking progress toward international conservation targets such as protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030.

A compilation of stock assessment results for commercially important fish and invertebrate species from around the world, maintained by an international research consortium. The database provides standardized time series of biomass, fishing mortality, and recruitment for hundreds of fish stocks, making it a key resource for evaluating the health of global fisheries.

A meta-analysis of environmental data from approximately 38,700 farms producing 40 different food products across five indicators: greenhouse gas emissions, land use, acidification, eutrophication, and freshwater use. The study finds that the environmental impact of producing the same food can vary 50-fold among producers, and that the lowest-impact animal products typically still exceed the impacts of plant-based alternatives.

A high-resolution model of how plastic waste travels from land through rivers into the ocean. The study finds that more than 1,000 rivers — many of them small urban waterways rather than large rivers — account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions, estimated at 0.8 to 2.7 million metric tons per year.

Trade data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) showing the global distribution of sand and gravel exports by country. Sand and gravel are among the most extracted natural resources on Earth, with growing demand from construction and land reclamation driving concerns about environmental impacts on rivers, coastlines, and marine ecosystems.

Trade data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) showing the global distribution of sand and gravel imports by country, highlighting which nations are the largest consumers of these resources and the international trade flows that supply them.

A daily-updated dataset from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) tracking changes in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extent and concentration from November 1978 to the present. Derived from satellite microwave sensor data, it provides standardized imagery and tabular data widely used to monitor polar ice loss over time.

An interactive data visualization tool from the U.S. Global Change Research Program that allows users to explore satellite-observed changes in global sea level. The tool draws on satellite altimetry records to show how global mean sea level has risen over time.

An interactive map from the University of Colorado Boulder's Sea Level Research Group showing regional sea-level trends derived from satellite altimetry. The map reveals that sea-level rise is not uniform — some regions are experiencing rates well above or below the global average.

An overview of international efforts to restrict destructive bottom fishing on seamounts in the high seas. Following a landmark 2006 UN General Assembly resolution, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations have designated closures around some seamounts, though fewer than 2% of known seamounts are currently protected from bottom trawling in waters beyond national jurisdiction.

A review of marine conservation interventions documenting recovery rates of marine populations, habitats, and ecosystems. The study concludes that substantial recovery of marine life's abundance, structure, and function is achievable by 2050 if major pressures, including climate change, are mitigated.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty that was adopted at COP21 by 195 parties. It sets a limit on global warming and lays out an assessment plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change.

The 2020 edition of the FAO's flagship fisheries report, focused on the theme of sustainability in action. It provides a comprehensive overview of global fisheries and aquaculture production, the state of fish stocks, trade, and consumption, with emphasis on progress toward sustainable development goals.

The flagship biennial report of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, providing a comprehensive overview of global fisheries and aquaculture production, the state of fish stocks, trade, consumption, and policy developments. The 2022 edition focuses on the theme of Blue Transformation — sustainable expansion of aquaculture, improved fisheries management, and upgraded value chains.

An ongoing, regularly updated record of global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations maintained by NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory. The dataset provides monthly and annual mean CO₂ values derived from a worldwide network of air sampling stations, serving as a primary reference for tracking the long-term rise in atmospheric CO₂.

Data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on the world's commercial merchant fleet, including vessel counts and carrying capacity by flag of registration and vessel type. The data tracks the growth and composition of the global shipping fleet that underpins international maritime trade.

UNCTAD statistics on global seaborne trade volumes broken down by cargo type, including crude oil, petroleum products, and other tanker trade. The data tracks trends in the volume of goods transported by sea, which accounts for approximately 80% of global trade by volume.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14) is a global commitment to conserve and sustainably use the ocean. Learn how SDG 14 guides policy, finance, and action to protect life below water.

A climate modelling study finding that even with significant greenhouse gas mitigation, a weakened Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could prolong drought conditions in the Mediterranean region for decades beyond what would otherwise be expected.