Our Scans · (LF.14) 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] There is expectation that both countries will sign an agreement to cooperate on deep-sea mining for rare earths, especially off Japan's Minami-Torishima island. Hudson Institute
• [New] Russian electronic warfare systems are systematically disrupting satellite navigation in the Baltic Sea, creating risks for shipping and aviation. RBC-Ukraine
• [New] This month, the Australian government quadrupled the size of its Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve, a move that will help protect Antarctic marine life. Conservation International
• [New] At current rates, just under 10% of the world's oceans will be protected by 2030 - a far cry from what scientists say is needed to stop the loss of marine biodiversity, stem the climate crisis, and protect communities that rely on oceans for food and livelihoods. Conservation International
• [New] The naval end-user segment is expected to exhibit a noteworthy CAGR of 9.6% from 2026 to 2034 due to heightened maritime tensions in the Baltic, Black Sea, and North Atlantic, where surface vessels face sophisticated anti-ship missile threats and electronic surveillance. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Marine pollution is a threat to the livelihoods of more than 3 billion people all over the world. Greenpeace Africa
• [New] 2026's seasonal Sargassum blooms will grow to record-breaking proportions as they drift across the Atlantic Ocean. Popular Science
• [New] The Royal Netherlands Navy's fleet-wide integration of 12 AI-enabled V-BAT systems across eight warships suggests a deliberate NATO-aligned shift toward autonomous maritime ISR that could complicate adversary surface and subsurface operations in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea corridors. Drone Warfare
• [New] The melting of the Arctic's glaciers and ice sheets can contribute to rising sea levels, putting coastal communities around the globe at risk. GSAP News
• [New] Cities such as Miami, New York, Jakarta, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Lagos are frequently highlighted in sea level rise projections as being at higher risk of coastal flooding. Nature World News
• [New] As sea level rise projections point toward a steadily higher ocean by 2050, the idea of occasional coastal flooding is giving way to a more regular pattern of disruption. Nature World News
• [New] Global seas could rise by several feet by 2100, dramatically increasing the scale and frequency of coastal flooding. Nature World News
• [New] By 2050, several major coastal cities are expected to face sharper exposure to both chronic sea level rise and acute coastal flooding. Nature World News
• [New] NOAA has outlined how U.S. coasts are likely to see up to about a foot of sea level rise by 2050, which would already increase the reach and depth of coastal flooding during storms and high tides. Nature World News
• [New] Under moderate emissions, the world's oceans could rise about 10-12 inches (roughly 25-30 cm) by 2050 compared to the early 2000s. Nature World News
• [New] The signal: A global analysis of 243 recruitment and 266 spawner time series across 143 marine fish species found that 81% of populations display nonlinear dynamics - the kind of behaviour where small changes in conditions produce disproportionately large, unpredictable swings. All At Once by Dr. Len
• [New] Tonga's longstanding history of ocean stewardship and the United States' expertise in ocean research and technology uniquely position them to collaborate in the industry, which stakeholders project will offer a US$ 20 trillion opportunity. Islands Business
• [New] There is an expectation that both countries will sign an agreement to cooperate on deep-sea mining for rare earths, especially off Japan's Minamitorishima island. Japan Forward
• [New] A global study reveals widespread human-made chemicals in the oceans, while a new campaign and Netflix documentary warn plastic-associated toxins are emerging as a major, under-recognised threat to human health. Oceanographic
• [New] Emerging markets in Asia Pacific and the Middle East are expected to offer significant growth opportunities, supported by infrastructure development and government initiatives to promote marine tourism. openpr
• Governments have committed to protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Ocean Rising
• If ice sheet disintegration accelerates, extreme scenarios of over two meters of sea level rise by 2100 cannot be ruled out, and that the average rise today is already higher than expected. European Central Bank
• Every increment of sea rise amplifies coastal flood risks and erosion, threatening low-lying cities, ports, and even whole island nations such as Tuvalu. European Central Bank

Last updated: 30 March 2026