Welcome to ELI's Ocean Program

Oceans make up 71 percent of Earth’s surface and account for over 99 percent of the living space on Earth. Oceans provide critical renewable and nonrenewable resources such as fish, oil, natural gas, minerals, and genetic materials and are crucial for globalized transport of goods. Oceans are home to an incredible diversity of organisms, many yet undiscovered. They are also an essential component of the global carbon cycle and are tightly entwined with the earth’s climate.

The world’s marine habitat and biodiversity face growing threats from many sources including coastal development, commercial and recreational fishing, agriculture, aquaculture, energy production, and shipping. These human activities are leading to polluted and degraded habitats, collapsed fisheries, introduction of invasive species, loss of endangered species, altered food webs, and global climate change. Threats to the marine environment can be grouped into two major categories: (1) land-based impacts, and (2) ocean use impacts, including fisheries impacts.

To address these threats, ELI’s Ocean Program three major strategies: reversing degradation from land-based activities, ensuring effective management of industrialized oceans, and fostering sustainable fisheries.

In addition, ELI is undertaking initiatives to address cross-cutting issues including ecosystem-based management and compliance and enforcement.