Ocean-based industries are worth at least 3.5% of global GDP, a value the OECD predicted will double by 2030. More than 3 billion people rely on the ocean for their livelihoods and more than 350 million jobs are linked to the ocean worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic is putting this ocean economy in peril. Productivity and output across tourism, shipping and fisheries are down and job loss is high. Many employed in ocean-based sectors are women and low-wage earners, so the social impacts are considerable. Debt is rising across the ocean economy, while small businesses struggle to stay afloat. Pressure to roll back environmental policies will likely increase, further compromising long-term recovery and economic benefits.

Meanwhile, the pandemic has not changed the severity of threats facing the ocean itself. In some cases, it has intensified them. Climate change, overfishing, pollution and biodiversity loss were eroding the ocean’s ability to sustain livelihoods...