The ocean we want is one that plays a key role in solving humanity’s three main global issues: protecting biodiversity, creating a sustainable economy and regulating climate. The ocean today moderates climate change, absorbs a significant fraction of our CO 2 emissions, hosts valuable biodiversity and provides food to millions. But all of these services are threatened by pollution and human activities. If we continue business as usual, the natural capital represented by the ocean is set to decline. In June 2017, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) adopted a resolution to propose an “ocean decade”. In December of the same year, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 2021-2030 would be the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.