Similar factors contribute to climate change, negatively affecting the oceans and marine biodiversity which is slowly declining.

[7] The threat of growing algal blooms and dead zones in the oceans are alarming; in 2018 it was stated that "without concerted efforts, coastal eutrophication is expected to increase in 20% of large marine ecosystems by 2050".

Beach clean-ups across the coasts are shedding light on the increase in ocean plastic pollution which suffocates the seas.

The amount of plastics in large marine ecosystems are measured based on "a model of surface water circulation and the use of proxy inputs".

[27] Oceans are Earth's deepest and most extensive basins with average depths of the abyssal plains being about 4 km beneath sea level.

Ocean processes, including storms, wave action, ocean currents, hydration, and surface exposure to the atmospheric weathering processes (e.g. oxidation) and ultraviolet radiation, tend to break plastic particles into ever-decreasing sizes (resulting in microplastics), rather than organically digest or chemically alter plastic substances.

[31] The full title of Target 14.2 is: "By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans".

[32] This indicator aims at protecting and managing sustainably the marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid adverse impacts.

[33] The full title of Target 14.3 is: "Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels".

[21] The full title of Target 14.5 is: "By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information".

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is situated in the central Pacific Ocean, around Hawaii, occupying an area of 1.5 million square kilometers.

[47] The deadline was set for June 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic this was delayed, which has caused concerns in regards to the ability to support the fishing sector.

[47] More recently, The Agreement on Port State Measures target on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing reached 74 parties by the end of 2022.

The World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted on the 17 June 2022, sets hope for SDG target 14.6 to be met.

[32] The contribution of aquaculture and fisheries to the gross domestic product (GDP) is one of the most commonly used indicators of its economic performance.

The full title of Target 14.b is: "Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets".

[32] In 2022 it was recorded that the degree of application of frameworks that recognise and protect access rights for small-scale fisheries was highest, reaching a score of 5 out of 5.

[21] Small-scale fisheries contribute to nutrition, food security, sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation – especially in developing countries.

[58] The full title of Target 14.c is: "Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want".

[60]: 1 An annual report is prepared by the Secretary-General of the United Nations evaluating the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

[4] The Preparatory Meeting to the UN Ocean Conference convened in New York, US, in February 2017, to discuss the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. International law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), stressed the need to include governance instruments to consider "anthropogenic activities taking place outside of the ocean".

However, there are related concerns surrounding LSMPAs that need attention in order to help ensure that the targets for SDG 14 can be met.

These concerns cover three dimensions: resource management, conflicts between rival countries, and tradeoffs between people's needs and the environment.

Capacity-enhancing subsidies have been provided to developing countries in order to make them more competitive with large fishing nations.

[65] The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the usage of single use plastics such as masks, sanitizer containers, gloves, and much more, in many places world-wide, specifically within Africa.

[66] It is estimated that 12 billion single-used face masks are being thrown out monthly which poses a large threat to human health and the surrounding environment, due to informal waste management in many African countries.

[66] Harnessing the potential of the ocean, by developing sustainable blue economies can build prosperity and improve the lives of all, including the most disenfranchised and marginalised communities.

[67] The UN Ocean Conference, held from 27 June to 1 July 2022 hopes to united governments and other stakeholders to bridge the gap.

Women are often the primary providers and rely on both fish for income and food, therefore making fisheries important for their economic stability.

There is a need for balance between the economic benefits and ecological sustainability,[78] addressed in Target 14.5 through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).