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] Artists all over the world are celebrating the entry into force of the Global Ocean Treaty, also marking the beginning of a crucial four-year countdown to protect 30% of the world's ocean by 2030 and stop deep sea mining before it begins. Greenpeace International
• [New] By 2050, offshore wind power capacity in the North Sea is set to increase more than tenfold. Climate Tech Venture Review
• [New] Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have again underscored the vulnerability along the Suez Canal/Red Sea corridor, the principal east-west trade artery. gmfus
• [New] A shift in how electric ferries could operate in the future was recently demonstrated, after the completion of the world's longest electric sea journey by a passenger vessel. SupplyChainBrain
• [New] Dumping tonnes of drugs into the ocean could affect wildlife in multiple ways. RNZ
• [New] Fears are growing in the Colorado River basin about the prospect of painful water cuts, prolonged court battles and other dire impacts after negotiators from seven states missed a second key deadline Saturday to reach a conservation deal. Colorado Public Radio
• [New] Decarbonization is anticipated to significantly reshape global markets and present new business opportunities for Wartsila in the marine and energy sectors. Wartsila.com
• [New] In 2026, €60 million will be made available for cable repair equipment, along with a separate €20 million call for monitoring tools that can detect damage and track conditions under the sea. EU Blue Economy Observatory
• [New] A hidden network of underwater fibre optic cables could offer unprecedented new insights into the lives of some of the world's most threatened and elusive sea creatures. Positive News
• [New] The repeated delays in adopting the updated water pollution standards leave little time for Member State authorities to plan and incorporate measures to address new pollutants in the next River Basin Management Plans, which must be finalised by the end of 2027. Global Agriculture
• [New] Ocean energy technologies including wave, tidal, ocean thermal energy conversion with its 8-10 terawatt theoretical global potential, and salinity gradient power are progressing toward commercial viability. GlobeNewswire
• [New] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) notes that when finfish farms operate in open water, water moves freely between farms and the ocean, creating risks such as the amplification and transmission of disease between farmed and wild fish. FoodNavigator-USA.com
• [New] The latest quarterly bunker volumes survey published by Ship & Bunker and 2050 Marine Energy showed global bunker volumes on track for a 1.9% increase last year based on the first three quarters of data. Ship & Bunker
• [New] Sea and Google will work together to develop and scale AI applications across digital financial services, e-commerce and gaming. Fintech Singapore
• [New] In a hothouse Earth scenario, global temperatures could remain above even the worst current projections for thousands of years, causing massive sea-level rises that submerge coastal cities. ANews
• [New] The Global Ripple Effect on Trade and Supply Chains The simultaneous disruptions in the Red Sea and Panama Canal have had a ripple effect across global supply chains. Global Trade Magazine
• [New] As happened with the Houthi blockade of the Red Sea in response to the Israeli attacks in Gaza, the threat of closure will send insurance premiums skyrocketing and raise global oil prices. Responsible Statecraft
• [New] Floating systems could quadruple the ocean surface area available for development compared to fixed-bottom installations. POWER Magazine
• [New] Authorities plan to reinforce the protective dam and begin a new phase of the North Aral Sea conservation project by the end of the year. The Astana Times
• [New] The rise of outdoor swimming will not solve England's plastic problem on its own but as access to designated bathing waters expands, rivers and coastlines become shared spaces, protected by the people who use them. Positive News
• [New] A coalition of environmental and clean-shipping groups is urging the International Maritime Organization to block any move that would allow ammonia-fueled ships to discharge toxic waste at sea, warning that shipping's push toward zero-emission fuels must not come at the expense of ocean health. gCaptain
• [New] River flows across England are expected to be normal or higher for the time of year (and continue at normal levels through to September). Strutt & Parker - Rural Hub
• [New] Meta is partnering with Arable to provide irrigation technology to independent farmers in Indiana's Upper Wabash River Basin, a project it expects to restore 200 million gallons of water a year for 10 years and reduce costs for farmers. Verdict

Last updated: 23 February 2026