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] Reclamation poses a risk to nearby habitats such as the reefs around Sentosa as well as the marine life-rich Southern Islands. ST
• [New] Norges Bank Investment Management, which manages Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, has issued Nature Expectations - guidance for portfolio companies as they assess, disclose, and manage risks arising from impacts on land, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems. JD Supra
• [New] Unregulated dredging harms more than fish, endangering sea turtle nesting sites and migratory bird habitats, pushing regional species to extinction. The Guardian
• [New] The coverage of protected and conserved areas at sea still needs to triple by 2030 and it is critical that both new and existing areas are managed effectively to deliver positive outcomes for people and nature. IUCN
• [New] Forecast seasonal water supply volumes from the California-Nevada River Forecast Center have dropped; most locations are forecast to receive 50-75% of median April-July runoff. Drought.gov
• [New] A majority of streamflow forecast points in the Colorado River Basin are forecast to produce less than 30% of average runoff. Drought.gov
• [New] Sea surface temperatures for April to June are forecast to be warmer than average across much of the globe, including around parts of Australia. Mirage News
• [New] Any disruption in the Red Sea could thus increase risks to growth and inflation in Asia, including Singapore, and is something to watch closely. ST
• [New] Should the situation in the Red Sea escalate, it could raise the risk of a double chokehold on global trade and energy supply. ST
• [New] Recent chokepoint disruptions in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, security risks in the Black Sea, and drought-induced draught limits in the Panama Canal have reshaped routes and schedules. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• [New] In addition to MPAs other conservation management tools will be required such as Other area based Effective Conservation Means to contribute to the health of Qatar's marine ecosystems. Springer Nature Switzerland
• [New] Re-entry Phase: Orion will re-enter Earth's atmosphere at about 40,000 km/h, testing the largest heat shield ever built before Pacific Ocean splashdown. PMF IAS
• [New] South Florida is on the front lines of sea-level rise, stronger storms and increasing flood risk. The Invading Sea
• Now MIT scientists are finding that phytoplankton's composition, and the basic diet of the ocean, will shift significantly with climate change. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Sea level rise and coastal erosion will accelerate with warming. youth4planet
• Singapore's sea level is projected to rise by up to 5m by 2100, if higher global mean sea levels coincide with high tides and storm surges. ST
• Rail Baltica, designed to connect the Baltic States with the rest of Europe, will become a key component of the North Sea-Baltic Corridor once operational around 2030, opening new intermodal opportunities and improving north-south freight flow. Persistence Market Research
• After weeks at anchor with missiles and drones passing overhead, it could finally sail safely out through the Strait of Hormuz and into the open ocean - escorted by the Iranian Navy. Insurance Journal
• A UN target to protect and restore 30% of nature by 2030 will not be achieved in ocean environments until 2107 on current trends. Morning Star
• Plastic waste in marine ecosystems is expected to increase by 65% in 2030, even under the current ambitious commitments set by governments. Siemens
• Scientists warn of a likely El Nino event in 2026, raising concerns over rising temperatures, extreme weather, and impacts on both land and marine environments. Grand Pinnacle Tribune

Last updated: 13 April 2026