COVID-19 Impact Briefs

Ocean

IN BRIEF

The ocean will undoubtedly play an essential role in recovering from the COVID-19 crisis and delivering on the Global Goals by keeping trade moving between nations and providing sustainable energy and healthy food for all.

The UN Ocean Conference will be reconvened in 2021 under the theme of “Scaling up Ocean Action Based on Science and Innovation for the Implementation of Goal 14: Stocktaking, Partnerships and Solutions.” Building towards this milestone, partnerships can be formed to contribute to a “blue sustainable recovery” and identify areas where industry and science can work together to increase resilience in the post-COVID-19 world. Sustainable finance and innovative mechanisms such as Blue Bonds can also play a critical role in recovery and sustainable stimulus packages.

KEY STATISTICS

Life has existed for some 3.7 billion years in the ocean, which covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and is on average four kilometres deep.

The market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated to be $3 trillion, equivalent to 5% of the global GDP.

The FAO estimates that around one in 10 people depend, directly or indirectly, on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihood, with most employed by capture fisheries working in small-scale operations.

Almost 90 per cent of the global trade of goods is carried by ocean-going vessels. This international industry is facing disruption, with 40% of ports having seen a 25% decrease in ship calls port calls as the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll on global trade.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that accelerating wind power deployment, coupled with increased electrification, could deliver one-quarter (or nearly 6.3 gigatonnes) of the annual CO₂ emission reductions needed by 2050 and cover more than one-third of global power needs (35%), becoming the world’s foremost generation source.

More ocean data was collected in 2018 than in the entire 20th century. However, vast amounts of data that could contribute significantly to safer at-sea operations during the COVID-19 pandemic are either still not being gathered or remain siloed.

68 companies have signed the Sustainable Ocean Principles of the UN Global Compact and committed to taking ocean action on environmental, human rights and data-sharing.

26 organizations and associations, including the FAO, IMO, and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), endorsed recommendations released by the Sustainable Ocean Business Action Platform to keep global ocean-related trade moving.

67 diverse stakeholders from governments, academia, science, UN agencies and businesses have come together to address key ocean-related COVID-19 challenges in meetings convened by the Action Platform for Sustainable Ocean Business’ COVID-19 Task Force.

CHALLENGES

Seafarers have still not been classified as “key workers” in many countries, meaning they are unable to embark or disembark ships due to national travel restrictions. There are now 400,000 00,000 seafarers requiring an urgent changeover. Disruptions to ocean-related supply chains and subsequent global shortages of goods, including medical and food, are soon to be expected if no solution is reached.

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare global discrepancies in technological capability, with many ports that still rely on paper-based processes facing disruption that reverberates up the supply chain. At present, only 49 of the 174 Member States of the International Maritime Organization have functioning Port Community Systems.

Offshore energy, including renewable operations, representing vital contributions to the global economy and supply chains continue to suffer with personnel changeovers and are unable to get specialized personnel on offshore platforms to undergo routine safety inspections and maintenance checks.

Before COVID-19, around 80 percent of tourism was in coastal towns and areas; COVID-19 crisis is leaving countless coastal and island communities questioning how to recover should tourists not return.

The aquaculture and fisheries sector is facing challenges ranging from impending labor shortages to logistics with supply chain shortages in aquafeed stock. Consumer demands have also shifted towards frozen and canned options, leading to a collapse in demand for fresh seafood products usually sold in markets or gastronomy.

Ocean research vessels and expeditions undertaking vital climate research have been cancelled and curtailed with ripple effects for ocean science. It is increasingly unlikely that research vessels will be unable to set sail this year.

ACTIONS

Policymakers and businesses can implement the ambitions outlined in the UN Global Compact’s recent Ocean Stewardship 2030 report into their post COVID-19 recovery packages

Sign the Sustainable Ocean Principles of the UN Global Compact.

Contribute to holistic and harmonized worldwide cooperation and coordination to ensure the safety and integrity of ocean-related global supply chains.

Encourage governments to introduce a ‘key worker’ system and classify shipping and offshore activities as ‘essential services’ to help ensure the freedom of movement necessary to protect the health of workers and minimize the impact on global supply chains.

Pursue cross-sectoral partnerships to contribute to a “blue sustainable recovery”, including areas where industry and science can work together to increase resilience in the post-COVID-19 world.

Assess investments in ocean-related projects to support the Sustainable Development Goals and worldwide recovery and resilience. Companies can initiate cross-sectoral benchmarking processes to review company data-sharing practices and identify new opportunities and best practices for improved data-sharing.

Monitor seafood supply chains closely through digitization, harnessing data tools from ‘farm to fork’ for fully traceable seafood and supply chain resilience.

Incorporate climate change adaptation considerations into technological advancements and their strategic development and use, such as enhancing the resilience of critical transport infrastructure assets, for example, ports, which are at increasing risk of coastal flooding.

Set up capacity building frameworks to support smaller, less developed, port and aquaculture communities, especially in SIDS.

Harness recovery funds to support more sustainable forms of coastal and marine tourism.

WHAT COMPANIES
ARE DOING?

Aquaculture companies such as Bakkafrost are shifting their operations to to conduct COVID-19 testing.
Shipping companies like Wilh. Wilhemsen ASA are following operational adjustments to secure the well-being of employees and crew.
Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA developed COVID-19 Global Port Restrictions Map.

TOOLS &
RESOURCES

UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship 2030 report
Sustainable Ocean Business Action Platform COVID-19 Taskforce on Geopolitical Risks and Responses
UN Global Compact Academy Session on Climate Action: Uniting Business and Governments to Recover Better
UN Global Compact Academy Session on Threats to Critical Global Ocean Supply Chains: Shipping During COVID-19
UN Global Compact Blue Bonds Reference Paper
UN Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Principles
Advancing Science for Sustainable Ocean Business
UN Global Compact 5 Tipping Points for a Healthy and Productive Ocean by 2030
UN Global Compact Mapping Ocean Governance and Regulation
UN Global Compact Global Goals, Ocean Opportunities
UN Global Compact Academy E-Learning Tool: How Companies Can Ensure a Healthy and Productive Ocean
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) policy brief: How is COVID-19 affecting the fisheries and aquaculture food systems
International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) guidance on ports’ response to the pandemic
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) joint statement to G20 Leaders
International Maritime Organization (IMO) COVID-19 materials and circular notes
FAO: The State of the World Fisheries 2020
IMO: Recommendations for port and coastal States on the prompt disembarkation of seafarers
IAPH call to action to accelerate digitalisation

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