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] The majority of the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free during summer by 2050, but as the length of a polar bear generation is about 11.5 years, genetic adaptations to an ice-free ecosystem will likely take many hundreds or thousands of years. Live Science
• [New] Ammonia will account for 8% of marine fuel demand in 2030, rising to 46% by 2050, indicating that demand for ammonia-powered vessels is expected to grow significantly. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] China Coast / East China Sea - Low Weather Risk Calm conditions are expected, with wave heights up to 2 meters and light winds. LinkedIn
• [New] Drop Marine in South Slocan received $280,000 to build and test a smart-control system on a small workboat that will operate on B.C.'s inland waterways. BC Gov News
• [New] In Miami-Dade County, where sea-level rise is expected to increase dramatically over the next century, residents chronically slog through days of heavy flooding and extreme heat. Politico
• [New] Any military tensions in the sea off Yemen will paralyse the fishing sector, which supports approximately 500,000 Yemenis. Al Jazeera
• [New] Cruise travel trends fall 2026 confirm that sea travel continues to offer unmatched opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration. Travel And Tour World
• [New] North Carolina has committed $17 million in grants to extending public water lines to more than 300 homes in New Hanover County, where private wells have been contaminated by PFAS, including GenX, in the Cape Fear River Basin. Pace Analytical -
• [New] The ongoing instability in West Asia, particularly around key maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, has amplified concerns over supply chain disruptions, rising freight costs, and delayed shipments. Economic Times
• [New] The International Atomic Energy Agency is in the process of launching its Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative, which will provide a critical pathway to harmonize maritime and nuclear standards. Atlantic Council
• [New] Ships should use alternative routes through the Strait of Hormuz due to the risk of sea mines, even as it agreed to temporarily reopen the key waterway under a two-week ceasefire with the United States. Economic Times
• Reclamation poses a risk to nearby habitats such as the reefs around Sentosa as well as the marine life-rich Southern Islands. ST
• 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
• Unregulated dredging harms more than fish, endangering sea turtle nesting sites and migratory bird habitats, pushing regional species to extinction. The Guardian
• 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
• 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
• A majority of streamflow forecast points in the Colorado River Basin are forecast to produce less than 30% of average runoff. Drought.gov
• 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
• 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
• Should the situation in the Red Sea escalate, it could raise the risk of a double chokehold on global trade and energy supply. ST
• 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)

Last updated: 20 April 2026