SDG 14: Life Below Water

Goal 14 focuses on conserving oceans and marine resources, essential for life on Earth. Oceans cover 75% of the Earth’s surface, contain 97% of its water, and provide crucial resources such as food, medicine, and biofuels. They also mitigate storm damage, manage waste, and serve as the planet’s primary carbon sink.

However, marine pollution has reached critical levels, with over 17 million metric tons of waste—mainly plastic—polluting oceans in 2021, a figure expected to double or triple by 2040. Additionally, ocean acidification, now 30% higher than pre-industrial levels, threatens marine biodiversity and food security.

Sustainable management of ocean resources is crucial for a resilient future. This includes investing in ocean science, boosting conservation, and addressing climate change to protect this vital yet vulnerable ecosystem. Current efforts are insufficient to meet the urgent need for ocean conservation.

Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/

Policies and Guidelines

The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) prioritizes sustainable development through its San Miguel Bay Research and Innovation (SMB-RI) Center and Fisheries and Environmental Sciences programs. It provides technical support for coastal resource management to local government units in and beyond the Bicol Region. CBSUA also advises Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs) around San Miguel Bay and represents the academe at the Fisheries Management Area 1 (FMA1) management board. This commitment is reflected in CBSUA’s role in the FMA 1 as reflected in 2023 accomplishments and list of management board resolutions and supported by DAO 263, FMA 1 framework, and the scorecard.

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