Ocean Protection: $Billion Opportunity & Global Issues
- Bogota, Colombia – Investing in ocean protection is not only crucial for the environment but also presents a significant economic opportunity, according to Ivan Duque Marquez, former president...
- Marquez's comments follow the recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, which aimed to promote sustainable use of marine resources.
- “The services the ocean provides are the backbone of our collective health, wealth and food security, yet today just 2.7% of the ocean has been assessed and deemed...
Discover teh massive economic potential of ocean protection! Protecting just 30% of the ocean could generate an astounding $85 billion annually by 2050 through coastal defense, carbon emission reduction, and thriving fisheries. This multi-billion dollar prospect, revealed by former Colombian president Ivan Duque Marquez, highlights the urgent need for global action. The article underscores the existing funding gap and the importance of international cooperation, with Colombia and Chile leading the way.Learn how the High Seas Treaty is expected to catalyze further initiatives. Stay informed with News Directory 3 for insights on this pivotal issue. Discover what’s next in safeguarding our oceans and securing a prosperous future.
Ocean Protection a Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity, Says Former Colombian President
Updated June 17, 2025
Bogota, Colombia – Investing in ocean protection is not only crucial for the environment but also presents a significant economic opportunity, according to Ivan Duque Marquez, former president of Colombia. Marquez argues that safeguarding marine ecosystems can unlock billions of dollars in annual returns.
Marquez’s comments follow the recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, which aimed to promote sustainable use of marine resources. He emphasized that currently, only a small fraction of the ocean is effectively protected, leading to ecological and economic losses.
“The services the ocean provides are the backbone of our collective health, wealth and food security, yet today just 2.7% of the ocean has been assessed and deemed to be effectively protected,” Marquez said. “In failing to establish adequate safeguards, not only are we condemning communities and ecosystems across the world to decline and collapse, we are also overlooking a significant economic opportunity.”
He noted that protecting 30% of the ocean globally could generate approximately $85 billion per year by 2050. This figure accounts for benefits such as preserving coastal defenses, avoiding carbon emissions from seagrass loss, and improving fisheries.
Marquez highlighted the existing funding gap for marine protection, with only $1.2 billion currently allocated annually compared to the $15.8 billion needed to meet the 30% protection target by 2030. He urged wealthy nations to fulfill their pledges and integrate ocean protection targets into their national plans.
Colombia, Marquez noted, has already exceeded its commitment by protecting 37.6% of its ocean areas. He also cited Ecuador’s debt-for-nature swaps as a successful model for financing marine protected areas.
Marquez stressed the importance of international cooperation, particularly regarding the high seas, where only a small percentage is currently protected. He lauded the impending ratification of the High Seas Treaty and Chile’s proposal to create a high seas Marine Protected Area (MPA) along the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges.
“Chile’s plans connect existing national MPAs with proposed protections in international waters, aiming to create a continuous network of conservation areas to maintain ecological connectivity for migratory species.This is exactly the kind of multilateral coordination we need to scale,” Marquez said.
Marquez concluded by emphasizing the urgency of closing the ocean finance gap, arguing that the benefits of ocean protection far outweigh the costs.
What’s next
The ratification of the High Seas Treaty is expected to spur further action in protecting international waters. Countries are developing proposals for new high seas MPAs, offering a chance for global cooperation on shared resources.