Developing Best Practices to Address Coastal Marine Oxygen Loss in APEC Economies for Improving the Management of Marine Living Resources - Project Summary Report

Ocean deoxygenation poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity, primarily driven by global warming and coastal pollution. Monitoring dissolved oxygen levels is crucial for assessing the health of marine ecosystems, especially along coastlines. However, many exclusive economic zones (EEZs) face data collection and management gaps, hindering science-based policymaking to combat coastal hypoxia and its negative effects on fisheries and aquaculture. The OFWG 201 2023 project, led by the Peruvian Institute of Marine Research (IMARPE), aimed to enhance capacity for monitoring coastal oxygen levels through best practices and biological indices, fostering collaboration among Asia-Pacific economies. This report targets policymakers and stakeholders in fisheries and aquaculture, outlining the impacts of deoxygenation on biodiversity and resources, emphasizing their vulnerability in the Pacific region. It also provides a strategic roadmap to address existing gaps, highlighting key areas for improvement to ensure sustainable management of marine resources amid ongoing oxygen loss.