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The Ocean Health Index

OCEANS

The Ocean Health Index was a decision-making tool and framework for conserving the human-ocean ecosystem because people need a healthy ocean. The Index was the first assessment tool that scientifically measured key elements from all dimensions of the ocean’s health — biological, physical, economic and social — to guide decision makers toward the sustainable use of the ocean.

First completed in 2012, more than 65 scientists, economists and environmental managers worked together to develop the global Ocean Health Index, which provided an annual assessment of ocean health around the world using information from over 120 scientific databases. Since then, more than 25 countries and regions have embarked on independent Ocean Health Assessments.

1 BILLION

PEOPLE

Around the world, more than 1 billion people rely on fish for their basic protein.

Our role

Conservation International was a founder of the Ocean Health Index and served as the managing partner. We worked closely with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis to incorporate the most up-to-date scientific methodology, produce annual global assessments and worked with governments, scientific organizations and NGO partners to apply the OHI on regional and local scales.

This must be done as if it’s a matter of life and death — because it is.

Sylvia Earle, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic