Third World Ocean Assessment

The ocean is the foundation of life on Earth. But its health is at grave risk as ecosystems and habitats approach or surpass critical tipping points. In the search for solutions, ocean science is indispensable. The third World Ocean…

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Sections and chapters

Section 1: Overall summary

The ocean covers more than 70% of the planet and is the largest and most interconnected ecosystem. It serves as the planet's primary life-support system and contains the majority of Earth's biodiversity.

Section 2: Approach to the assessment

Approach to the assessment

Section 3: Global overview of ocean governance

Writing team:ⓘ Youna Lyons and Carina Costa de Oliveira (coordinating authors), Senia Febrica, Paul Foley, Rakhyun E. Kim, Enrique Marschoff (co-lead member), Youngdawng Moh, Vonintsoa Rafaly,…

Section 4: Changes since the second World Ocean Assessment

Section 4 of the third World Ocean Assessment is focused on providing details of the changes that have occurred in the ocean since the period covered by the second Assessment, i.e. between 2018 and…

Section 5: Socioecological systems

IntroductionThe ocean is more than just a vast body of water-it is a dynamic, interconnected system where human societies and natural ecosystems are deeply intertwined. Human activities, from fishing…