The 8th issue of the EU Copernicus Ocean State Report (OSR 8) reveals that the ocean is facing record-breaking extreme events, including deep and intense marine heatwaves, unexpected phytoplankton blooms and increased ocean warming.
Insights into ocean health and its impact on society
The annual publication by the Copernicus Marine Service, implemented by Mercator Ocean International, provides state-of-the-art scientific knowledge about the current conditions, natural variations, and ongoing changes in both European regional seas and the global ocean.
The latest edition, drawing insights from over 120 scientific experts, explores the state of the ocean over recent decades, with a special focus on 2022 and 2023. Among its findings are trends of increasing ocean warming, melting sea ice, widespread and intensifying marine heatwaves and an extreme phytoplankton bloom.
The report's findings extend beyond environmental metrics; they illustrate how changes in the marine ecosystem affect human life. It highlights that climate-driven coastal hazards impose significant socio-economic costs through disrupted port operations and damaged coastal infrastructure, while marine heatwaves threaten food security by reducing fish catches.
Data for action
The report serves as a vital reference for policymakers and stakeholders in marine protection and the blue economy, supporting decisions related to environmental preservation, climate adaptation and marine sustainability.
The report's data on ocean warming, sea ice loss and marine heatwaves offer valuable insights for the EU's climate adaptation policies and efforts to mitigate climate change impacts while preserving natural marine environments.
The Ocean State Report is now a key initiative contributing to Mission Ocean and Waters, advancing the Mission's goals of restoring ecosystems, reducing pollution and ensuring a sustainable blue economy by providing scientific evidence on the state of the oceans.
Key takeaways from OSR 8
- Unprecedented marine heatwaves: 22% of the global ocean surface experienced at least one severe event in 2023.
- Marine heatwaves in Europe/Northeast Atlantic and Adjacent Seas: The affected areas increased from around 20% to over 90% between 1982 and 2023.
- Sea ice: In 2023, sea ice in the polar regions hit a record low. The Antarctic also recorded its lowest sea ice levels since satellite monitoring began.
- Deep marine heatwaves: A marine heatwave in the Mediterranean Sea extended up to 1,500 m below the surface.
- Rising ocean heat content: A new method to measure Earth’s energy budget shows a significant positive trend of 0.75 W m2 over the period 1993-2022, indicating continued warming of the ocean.
- Unexpected bloom: An extreme phytoplankton bloom was detected southeast of Crete in 2022, resulting in a 35% increase in annual primary productivity in the area, potentially affecting marine life across food chains.
- Record-breaking wave events: An April 2022 storm in Melilla, Spain, set multiple records, with towering waves sweeping over the port and disrupting maritime operations.
OSR 8 has been published alongside an interactive summary that highlights major results and showcases a range of Ocean Monitoring Indicators, which track trends and variations in the changing ocean.
Explore the report and interactive summary here.