From the Arctic to the tropics, Commission report sounds alarm bells over ocean health

Every part of the ocean is now threatened by climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, according to the ninth State of the Ocean report, published on 30 September by the Marine Monitoring Service of Copernicus, the EU’s Earth observation system.

The findings show that ocean warming is accelerating, marine biodiversity hotspots are increasingly at risk and acidification is advancing rapidly. Plastic pollution now affects all ocean basins, while endangered species and coral reefs face critical threats.

Key findings from this year’s report include:

• Unprecedented warming: In spring 2024, the global sea reached a record temperature of 21°C, with significant impacts on the Earth’s ecosystem.
• Marine heat waves: In 2023 and 2024, ocean temperatures exceeded previous records by more than 0.25°C, affecting ecosystems, fisheries and coastal economies.
• Rising seas: Sea levels rose by 228 millimetres between 1901 and 2024, threatening 200 million Europeans living in coastal areas and putting UNESCO World Heritage sites at risk.
• Invasive species: During the 2023 Mediterranean heatwave, warmer waters increased invasive species such as Atlantic blue crabs and bearded fireworms, pushing local fisheries to the brink of collapse.
• Declining sea ice: Between December 2024 and March 2025, Arctic sea ice recorded four consecutive record lows, losing an area almost twice the size of Portugal.

Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, said: “As the owner of Copernicus – the most specialised Earth observation system – the Union is able to monitor the state of the Earth’s environment and its subsystems. The Copernicus infrastructure and services constitute a world-class capability that enables the Union to play a leading role in observing and predicting different parameters of the state of the oceans.

Fisheries and Oceans Commissioner Costas Kadis said: “The findings of the State of the Oceans report reveal a difficult but essential diagnosis of our oceans. They confirm that the triple global crisis is not a future threat, but a present reality in our oceans basins. It also means that we have taken the necessary first steps, as the data are the basis for effective action.

The annual Copernicus report provides vital data on how changes in the oceans affect ecosystems, food security, economies, coastal communities and global climate regulation. Through its Copernicus system, the EU is stepping up action by providing reliable data to monitor the health of the oceans and support measures that protect biodiversity, reduce pollution and strengthen resilience to climate change.

More information: European Commission