14. Life Below Water

The focus of the global goal “Life Below Water” is the protection of the ecosystems of seas and oceans and sustainable use of marine resources. Marine acidification caused by climate change and pollution of the world seas and oceans as well as overfishing have a major impact on marine ecosystems.

According to the UN progress report, the condition of coastal waters continues to deteriorate because of both pollution and the introduction of excessive nutrients, which cause algal growth and consequently death of marine life from lack of oxygen. Ocean acidification is caused by higher CO2 concentrations, which affect the balance of carbonate compounds, which in turn affect marine species such as reef-building corals and shelled molluscs. The marine status has been harmed by overfishing, which reduces food resources. For sustainable use and protection of marine ecosystems, it is necessary to review policies and implement strategies. It is important to establish and manage marine protected areas.

The Estonian sustainable development strategy emphasises the importance of the good state of the coastal sea and use of fish stock not in excess of natural regeneration.

The global goal “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” is linked in Estonia with the following indicators:

• Marine protected areas
• Spawning stock biomass
• Total phosphorus and total nitrogen load to the sea