Bridging the Gap between Ocean Policy Indicators and Ocean Observing Requirements: Integrating Science and Implementation

International governance bodies have established a set of goals for ocean ecosystem health that includes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. An ongoing analysis of the hazards related to the ocean are required to guide decisions on sustainable development. In turn, these decisions require standardized global ocean observations and specific indicators to detect change in environmental parameters and in life in the sea. Achieving these goals and successfully curbing ocean ecosystem degradation will require coordination between regional and international managers, scientists, and policy bodies. Creating the opportunities for discussions between these communities will lead to observers meeting ocean user needs and refining ocean and coastal policies.

This paper reviews ocean-policy studies, frameworks, and directives conducted and established by different nations since 2000 while the authors used UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 as a framework for the review. We address specific issues such as operational needs to provide recommendations for policies to achieve the targets of SDG 14. These recommendations should be used to develop effective indicators that support sustainable and healthy development of marine spaces, to effectively implement ocean policies, and to stimulate a vibrant Blue Economy. This paper should be used to inform individuals and to determine effective indicators that can properly allow nations to sustainably develop marine spaces and effectively implement ocean policies already in place.