Sustainably managing global marine ecosystems—the vast majority of which are stressed and in danger of collapse due to overfishing, pollution, and rising water temperatures—is critical to livelihoods and preserving the earth’s natural resources.

Ocean ecosystems can thrive only if marine species and environments are protected and preserved, and human-caused damage is limited and repaired. Addressing marine health requires responsible management by communities that depend on the ocean for their livelihoods.

Desired Equilibrium

Coastal communities are empowered to practice effective marine conservation, improving living standards through increased local incomes and food security. Actors across the value chain (producers, consumers, retailers) have incentive to promote transparency in sustainable fishing practices, enabling greater enforcement of protected ecosystems that reverse marine biodiversity loss and ultimately build socio-ecological resilience to climate change.

Ways Skoll social entrepreneurs are addressing the issue:

• Empowering and developing capacity of coastal communities to establish and support protected local marine ecosystems (Blue Ventures, Telapak)
• Working directly with fisheries, retailers, other value chain actors, consumers, and conservationists to set credible standards for environmentally sustainable fishing practices and responsible supply chains (Marine Stewardship Council, Fair Trade USA)