The ocean covers 71% of our planet’s surface. We are increasingly recognising how much we rely on it to support human life and our economic, cultural, social and environmental wellbeing.

11 Marzo 2023
Ocean observing is essential for a better understanding of how society and all life on earth is affected by climate change. The information gathered is invaluable to policymakers and individual nations, guiding them to make change at a global, regional and local level.
Information from ocean observing is also essential for weather forecasting. It delivers early warning of hazards like tsunamis, storm surges and extreme waves that helps save lives and enables marine operators to remain efficient.
Looking to the future, a sustainable ocean economy has the potential to be a major source of food, jobs, and energy.
But this complex and dynamic socio-ecological system is also influenced by activities on land, ocean, atmosphere and interactions between the ocean and cryosphere.
Continued ocean warming, exacerbated by ocean acidification and other factors, is projected to lead to corals and other ecosystems essential for biodiversity and food and livelihood for millions of people disappearing.
Dead zones and low oxygen zones are being created by deoxygenation caused by the effects of increased nutrient loads and ocean warming.
Nutrient pollution is leading to harmful algal blooms (HABs) that devastate marine biodiversity and pose a significant risk to human health.
We’re also aware of how much we don’t know. Especially when it comes to understanding marine biodiversity and the seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction as well as our knowledge of polar regions and the Southern Ocean.
GOOS observes the ocean to increase our knowledge, help keep humanity and our planet safe, while playing our part in enabling environmental regeneration and economic growth for the future. Read more
CURRENT NEWS ITEMS

15 Marzo 2023
The Oceanology International Americas Conference (OiA) in San Diego, which showcases innovative ocean...

12 Marzo 2023
Our societies rely on ocean observations and services every day. Yet, the importance of the whole ocean observing value chain - from data collection to user services -...

11 Marzo 2023
Ocean observing is essential for a better understanding of how society and all life on earth is affected by climate change. The information gathered is invaluable to...

17 Febrero 2023
Accessing the Ocean CD-Hub platform, individuals can easily search for information on available...

17 Febrero 2023
Joining the group as founding members are five private-sector companies representing a diverse range of industries. They include Alcatel Submarine Networks, Ava Ocean,...

8 Febrero 2023
Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries, in a global...

7 Febrero 2023
Seven of the newly endorsed Decade Actions are innovative postdoctoral research projects with a focus on science-based interventions for coastal livelihood preservation...

2 Febrero 2023
"Mário, the 5th IOC-UNESCO Executive Secretary, imprinted on the international ocean community his unparalleled professional and ethical drive. His unyielding belief in...

1 Febrero 2023