Harvest Wisely - Ocean Central
The ocean is a source of food, energy, and raw materials vital to global prosperity. Harvesting these resources wisely and sustainably is essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems, sustaining economies, and ensuring long-term access for future generations.
Fisheries and aquaculture supply much of the world’s protein, while seaweed and algae support food systems, pharmaceuticals, and climate solutions. Sand and gravel supply construction industries, and oil and gas continue to power much of the global economy. Meanwhile, rising demand for critical minerals is spurring new interest in seabed mining.
Each of these sectors is tied to livelihoods and economic development, but also carries environmental risks that can undermine the ocean’s resilience, ranging from biodiversity loss and pollution to habitat destruction and carbon release. Effective management can align ocean use with climate goals, industry needs, and ecosystem health.
This section examines six key domains — fish and seafood, seaweed and algae, oil and gas, mining, sand and gravel, and aquaculture — exploring their impacts, global targets, and the steps required to balance ocean health with human prosperity.
Restore Ocean Fisheries
SDG 14 reinforces these priorities through its specific targets: ending overfishing and restoring stocks (14.4), eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies (14.6), and providing greater access for small-scale artisanal fishers (14.b). These global commitments place sustainable seafood at the core of both ocean health and human well-being.