Global Scans · Life Below Water · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

• [New] Norway has approved regulatory frameworks for deep-sea mining and is targeting polymetallic nodule extraction by 2025-2028. Discovery Alert
• [New] Under optimistic conditions, 3-5 commercial deep-sea mining operations could achieve production by 2029, generating combined annual output of 50,000-75,000 tonnes of nickel equivalent. Discovery Alert
• [New] Norway, the United Kingdom, and Canada possess complementary expertise in offshore operations, marine engineering, and mineral processing that could enhance American deep-sea mining capabilities. Discovery Alert
• [New] The highly anticipated High Seas Treaty has come into force today, marking a historic milestone for global ocean conservation. Euronews
• [New] The UN High Seas Treaty now enforces stricter environmental stewardship across international waters, a shift expected to influence offshore infrastructure such as ports, cabling and interconnectors. Whole Life Carbon
• [New] The High Seas Treaty signals a new era of global ocean governance, but experts warn that it will not stop irreversible damage. Euronews
• [New] Melting ice is opening new maritime routes, such as the Northern Sea Route, destined to impact the balance of global trade, while simultaneously increasing strategic competition and environmental risks. Agenzia Nova
• [New] If the Arctic Sea Route along the Russian coast becomes available, the sea transport distance between Europe and East Asia will be shortened by about 40%, compared to the Suez route via the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Mirage News
• [New] Coastal communities across California face increasing threats from flooding with changes in storm patterns and sea-level. USGS
• [New] The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6) states with high confidence that extreme sea level events, which can lead to coastal flooding, will become more intense and frequent over the twenty-first century in almost all regions of the world. Nature
• [New] Deltas are facing a double burden of sea-level rise and sinking land that increases the risk of catastrophic flooding and displacement for millions of people in some of the world's biggest cities. Live Science
• [New] With jobs being lost from oil and gas in the North Sea for many years, the speedy ramp up of offshore wind is needed to provide new opportunities for workers and communities across the UK. The Guardian
• [New] Every wind turbine we build means we need less gas from abroad as the North Sea continues its inevitable decline, so we will be less reliant on the actions of foreign actors like Putin. The Guardian
• [New] States surrounding the Great Lakes and northern Mississippi River can expect the approaching arctic air mass to send temperatures tumbling through next week. Best Life
• [New] Temperatures could briefly plunge to -30 °F or below from North Dakota into the upper Great Lakes region. Drought.gov
• [New] For someone in Chicago or Toronto, that could mean multiple waves of subzero nights, icy winds, and heavy lake-effect snow. Sophiabistro.com
• [New] Environment Canada is warning of reduced visibility in heavier bursts and local 5-10 cm snowfall, with the statement noting rapid changes as lake-effect bands move through. NetNewsLedger - Thunder Bay news, Northwestern Ontario
• [New] Four Greek oil tankers were hit by drones in the Black Sea, heightening concerns about supply disruptions. Zanders
• [New] Gulf of Aden - Somalia/Somaliland Maritime risks across the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and Horn of Africa remain elevated due to a combination of piracy, terrorism, regional tensions, and sophisticated threats. All About Shipping
• [New] Black Sea shipping remains highly exposed due to the increasing tempo of military operations between Russia and Ukraine, as well as a variety of hybrid threats. All About Shipping
• [New] The 50-50 crew rule in The Ocean Race Atlantic will give equal opportunities to the best female and male offshore sailors in the world in a new point to point race format. World Sailing
• [New] Winds are forecast to ease and shift direction, while sea conditions in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea are expected to moderate. Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, trave

Last updated: 25 January 2026