03.04.2026
Each year, the world’s oceans face growing environmental challenges that affect communities and economies everywhere. Around 19 to 23 million metric tonnes of plastic end up in the sea every year. That is about the same as dumping 2,000 garbage trucks into the ocean every day, with plastic making up about 80% of all marine pollution. Even more worrying, scientists report that the 2023 to 2025 global coral bleaching event has affected about 84% of the world’s coral reefs, mainly because of record ocean warming caused by climate change. Corals cover less than 1% of the seafloor but support about 25% of all marine species[TC4.1], so these losses change entire food webs and threaten the livelihoods of people living along the coast.
This new evidence shows that protecting life in the ocean requires practical, evidence-based skills. These include tracking where pollution comes from, using sustainable fishing methods and understanding the laws that guide how we manage the ocean.
If you care about the ocean, the next step is to build your skills, not just raise awareness. Learning where pollution starts, how fisheries are managed, how marine protected areas are enforced and how climate data shapes decisions gives you practical tools to make real changes. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), especially SDG 14 on life below water, provide a global framework. Your skills and knowledge help create change in your own community.
Our oceans cover more than 70% of the planet and they do more than just provide a home for marine life. They help regulate the climate, support 80% of all life on Earth [TC6.1]and are vital to coastal economies. When ocean systems weaken, the effects reach far beyond the shoreline. It is visible in the following important facts:
• The ocean absorbs around 91% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases.
• It also absorbs roughly 30% of the carbon dioxide that people produce.
• Over three billion people rely on the variety of life in the ocean and along the coasts for their jobs and income.
• About one third of the world’s fish stocks, that 35.5% are being overfished.
This is why protecting life below water is closely connected to a stable climate, reliable food supplies, and strong economies.
The SDGs were introduced in 2015 by UNITAR to create a shared global direction. SDG 14 focuses in particular on conserving and managing the oceans sustainably. Its priorities include:
• Reducing marine pollution.
• Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems.
• Ending overfishing and illegal fishing.
• Expanding marine protected areas.
• Strengthening scientific research and knowledge sharing.
Since 2015, progress has included expanded marine protected zones and the 2023 High Seas Treaty, formally known as the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), which aims to protect biodiversity beyond national waters. [TC10.1]The SDGs set a direction, but the industry needs skilled professionals to make implementation possible.
Protecting life below water starts with understanding what is putting it at risk.
Around 19 to 23 million metric tonnes of plastic enter aquatic ecosystems each year, mainly from land-based sources carried through rivers and drainage systems. The results is:
What you can do
About 35.5% of global fish stocks are overfished, meaning they are harvested faster than they can recover. In turn, this leads to:
What you can do
The ocean absorbs around 90% of excess heat from global warming and about 30% of carbon dioxide emissions. This contributes to:
What you can do
Caring for the ocean is important, but knowing what to do next is what drives change across disciplines. The difference between concern and contribution often comes down to practical skills. When you understand how marine systems work and how decisions are made, you are better equipped to influence outcomes in your workplace, community or sector.
You need to understand how ocean currents, temperature shifts and ecosystems interact. This helps explain:
Most plastic in the ocean originates on land. That means prevention starts long before waste reaches the shoreline. Effective management includes:
With one-third of global fish stocks overfished, sustainable methods matter both for ecosystems and food security. Practical knowledge includes:
Marine protection relies on legal frameworks that define responsibility and accountability. This includes:
Whether you are already working in the marine sector or exploring a new direction, structured learning is the best way to move from general awareness to applied competence. It will also demonstrate to employers and partners that your knowledge is grounded in a recognised framework. Explore MLA College’s SDG 14 ByteSize short course that focuses on:
On completion, you will receive an MLA College course certificate, a UNITAR Certificate of Completion and internationally recognised CPD accreditation. These recognitions support professional development in marine conservation and environmental governance, while strengthening your credibility in sustainability-focused roles.
Protecting life below water starts with skills and knowledge that enable you to take responsible action. Whether it is doing better science, influencing policy, working with fishers or organising clean-ups, practical competence sustains progress.
If you are ready to move from awareness to applied skills, contact us to learn about our SDG 14 ByteSize course and strengthen your ability to protect life below water.
Concern alone does not change outcomes. Protecting marine ecosystems requires practical skills such as analysing environmental data, understanding fisheries management systems, interpreting legal frameworks and identifying pollution sources. These skills allow individuals and organisations to move from intention to measurable action.
When fish stocks decline, communities that depend on fisheries experience reduced income, unstable food supplies and increased economic vulnerability. In many regions, fishing is not only a source of employment but also a part of the cultural identity. Sustainable management helps protect both the livelihoods and marine ecosystems.
Pollution affects marine life on multiple levels. Plastics can cause physical harm to species, while chemical runoff compromises water quality and disrupts food chains. Since most marine pollution originates on land, its impact often extends far beyond the place where it originated.
The MLA College’s ByteSize short course on SDGs is suitable for students, early-career professionals, marine sector workers, policy practitioners and community leaders who want structured, evidence-based knowledge on protecting life below water. It is also relevant for those seeking recognised sustainability-focused professional development.
The ByteSize format is designed for focused, manageable study. It allows you to build practical skills and knowledge alongside work or other commitments, without the time demands of a full degree programme.
