UNOC 2025 Day 2: From Data and Corals to Sargassum and Finance – Accelerating Ocean Action

The second day of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice was a showcase of how global cooperation, innovation, and financing can move ocean action beyond talk. From real-time data platforms to the Sargassum crisis, and from coral reef restoration to cutting-edge marine protection technologies, key panels emphasized the power of turning knowledge into action.

📊 From Data to Action: Building an Ocean Intelligence Infrastructure

One of the cornerstone sessions, “From Data to Action,” emphasized that the success of marine policy depends on accessible, shared, and trust-based ocean data.

• Vidal Halgesen (IOC-UNESCO) warned that global data collection could decline, urging more countries—and the private sector—to contribute. Regulations like Norway's requirement for data sharing on its continental shelf were cited as effective tools.

• Kimberly Mathisen highlighted the role of financial incentives and reporting requirements in encouraging businesses to contribute data.

• Toru Kubo (ADB) advocated for data to be demand-driven and locally accessible, linking science to decision-making through tools like the Disaster Risk Data Explorer.

• Platforms like EMODnet and PEN-CAS were presented as vital hubs for data sharing, forecasting, and stakeholder collaboration.

🪸 Coral Reef Restoration: “From Bleaching to Blooming”

This hopeful session showcased community-driven innovation and the urgent need to scale coral restoration efforts.

• David Smith (Mars) shared impressive work in Indonesia, noting that while coral restoration is possible, it’s still highly localized and underfunded.

• Tali Verdi (Coral Restoration Consortium) emphasized support for over 300 organizations working on basic coral restoration with little financial backing.

• Philippe Cousteau and Hussein Al-Safadi called for treating reef restoration as infrastructure, citing Jordan’s Aqaba Coral Innovation Hub as a scalable example.

🌊 Technology for Ocean Health: Mapping, Monitoring, and AI

This panel revealed that the tools to monitor and protect the ocean already exist—we just need policy, collaboration, and access.

• Jamie Mitchell (Seabed 2030) pushed for full ocean mapping, noting that $3–5 billion could unlock open data for conservation and management.

• Julie Angus (Open Ocean Robotics) presented uncrewed vehicles collecting eDNA and monitoring carbon sequestration, bridging science and local knowledge.

• Aspasia Pastra (World Maritime University) stressed the need for data standardisation, ocean literacy, and technology that integrates biodiversity identification with real-world policy.

💡 A highlight from this theme was EONIOS, a European initiative using autonomous underwater vehicles and nature-based reefs to monitor MPAs in real time. The system allows customised data collection and automated processing, supporting both conservation goals and sustainable blue economy missions. More info

🌱 Mobilising Investment for Ocean Carbon Solutions

This crucial panel tackled the intersection of ocean science, finance, and policy.

• Callum Roberts shared startling data: oceans absorb 3–5 atomic bombs’ worth of heat per second, yet seabed disturbances may undo carbon gains.

• Rachel Delhaise (Convex Insurance) presented novel insurance models for coral reefs that fund coastal restoration after climate shocks.

• Adonia Herrera and Asociada Christa’s called for clear regulation, financial viability, and property rights to guide a trustworthy blue carbon market.

🪵 The Sargassum Crisis: From Hazard to Opportunity

A less-covered but urgent topic, the Sargassum seaweed crisis took center stage in a high-impact session led by the Dominican Republic and the Organization of the Caribbean States.

• With 400 million tons expected in June, the Sargassum bloom is choking coasts, damaging fisheries, hurting tourism (which accounts for 20% of Dominican GDP), and threatening public health through gas and heavy metal emissions.

• The Dominican government is investing in transforming Sargassum into biofertilizers and called on the UN to support a global resolution, backed by data and cross-sector cooperation.

• A bold proposal was made: an international coalition to fight Sargassum, and a circular economy model that leverages both public and private sectors.

⚖️ Ocean Governance and Justice: Connecting SDG14 and SDG16

Another important session explored how criminal justice and anti-corruption tools must be deployed in ocean governance.

• The ocean remains under-monitored and under-enforced.

• Corruption, lack of coordination, and legal loopholes allow illegal practices to persist—despite land-based law enforcement models that could be replicated at sea.

💰 Innovation in Marine Financing: The MedFund

A standout example of blended finance for MPAs, The MedFund (Monaco-based) showcased how to finance biodiversity and coastal livelihoods across the Mediterranean through:

• Endowment, sinking, and revolving funds

• Long-term support for local MPA authorities and NGOs

• Alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework

Conclusion: Turning Momentum into Mandates

Day 2 of UNOC proved that while the ocean’s challenges are complex and interconnected, so are the solutions. Whether mapping the deep sea, restoring coral reefs, converting Sargassum into fertiliser, or redefining marine finance, the message is clear:

We have the tools. We have the knowledge. What we need now is the coordination, commitment, and courage to act.