The Ocean Health Index is a valuable tool for the ongoing assessment of ocean health. By providing a means to advance comprehensive ocean policy and compare future progress, the Index can inform decisions about how to use or protect marine ecosystems.
The Index is a collaborative effort, made possible through contributions from more than 65 scientists/ocean experts and partnerships between organizations including the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Sea Around Us, Conservation International, National Geographic, and the New England Aquarium.
The Index assesses the ocean based on 10 widely-held public goals for a healthy ocean. They are: Food Provision, Artisanal Fishing Opportunities, Natural Products, Carbon Storage, Coastal Protection, Sense of Place, Coastal Livelihoods & Economies, Tourism & Recreation, Clean Waters, Biodiversity.
Please note that every year the OHI team improve the Ocean Health Index by incorporating new data, knowledge, and feedback. In order to make scores comparable among years, they recalculate previous year’s results using the most recent methods and data.
Last updated by source: 2023-12-03
| Dataset type: | Time-Series |
| Dataset level: | Country |
(Halpern et al.,
2012)
(Ocean Health Index,
2023)
Fisheries management effectiveness and opportunity. The effectiveness of fisheries management in all countries with coastal areas is assessed by using a combination of surveys, empirical data, and enquiries to fisheries experts. They evaluated six aspects of each management regime: Scientific Robustness, Policy Transparency, Implementation Capacity, Subsidies, Fishing Effort, and Foreign Fishing, scoring each category from 0 to 100. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Mora, C., Myers, R.A., Coll, M., Libralato, S., Pitcher, T.J., Sumaila, R.U., Worm, B. (2009). Management Effectiveness of the World's Marine Fisheries. PLoS Biol, 7(6), e1000131. When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableOcean acidification. The Ocean acidification layer models the difference in global distribution changes in the aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) between pre-industrial (~1870) and modern times (2000-2009) as a proxy for ocean acidification due to human influences. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Feely, R., Doney, S. & Cooley, S. (2009) Ocean acidification: present conditions and future changes in a high-CO2 world. Oceanography 22:36-47. and J. Afflerbach et al. (2015). https://github.com/OHI-Science/ohiprep/tree/master/globalprep/Pressures_OceanAcidification/v2015 When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original sources.
More about this variableCoastal human population as a proxy for trend in trash. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: CIESIN & CIAT (Center for International Earth Science Information Network / Columbia University, & Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical) (2005). Gridded Population of the World, Version 3 (GPWv3): Population Density Grid, Future Estimates. Palisades, NY. [NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC)]. When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableSea level rise. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Nicholls R. J. and Cazenave A. (2010). Sea-level rise and its impact on coastal zones. Science 328: 1517-1520. and AVISO Satellite Altimetry Data. and J. Afflerbach et al. (2015). (https://github.com/OHI-Science/ohiprep/tree/master/globalprep/Pressures_SeaLevelRise/v2015) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original sources.
More about this variableSea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. SST of the ocean is indicated by measurements taken at depths that range from 1 millimeter to 20 meters. This measurement does not indicate absolute temperature at a location, but instead determines the number of positive temperature deviations (anomalies) that exceed the natural range of variation for a given location, i.e. the frequency with which a location experiences unnaturally warm temperature. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.0 SST data. and Casey, K. S., Brandon, T. B., Cornillon, P., and Evans, R. (2010). The past, present and future of the AVHRR Pathfinder SST Program, Oceanography from Space: Revisited, eds. V. Barale, J.F.R. Gower, and L. Alberotanza, Springer. and J. Afflerbach et al. (2015). (https://github.com/OHI-Science/ohiprep/tree/master/globalprep/Pressures_SST) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableUV radiation. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the portion of solar radiation with wavelengths of 200-400 nanometers (nm). UV Radiation was measured as the number of times in each 1-degree cell that the monthly average exceeded the climatological mean +1 standard deviation. These values were summed across the 12 months to provide a single value, ranging from 0-19. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC). and J. Afflerbach et al. (2015). (https://github.com/OHI-Science/ohiprep/tree/master/globalprep/Pressures_UV) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original sources.
More about this variableHigh bycatch caused by artisanal fishing. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Reefs at Risk Revisited (http://www.wri.org/publication/reefs-at-risk-revisited). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableHigh bycatch caused by commercial fishing. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Halpern, B. S. et al. (2008) A global map of human impact on marine ecosystems. Science, 3199(5865): 948-952. When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableLow bycatch caused by commercial fishing. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Halpern, B. S. et al. (2008) A global map of human impact on marine ecosystems. Science, 3199(5865): 948-952. When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCBD survey: habitat. A resilience measure based on questions 153(a,b,c,e,g) and 158(a,b,c,f,g,h) from The Convention on Biological Diversity country questionnaire (Third National Report to the CBD, from 2005). Question 153: Do your country's strategies and action plans include the following: a) Developing new marine and coastal protected areas; b) Improving the management of existing marine and coastal protected areas; c) Building capacity within the country for management of marine and coastal resources, including through educational programmes and targeted research initiatives; e) Protection of areas important for reproduction, such as spawning and nursery areas; g) Controlling excessive fishing and destructive fishing practices? Question 158: Which of the following statements can best describe the current status of marine and coastal protected areas in your country: a) Marine and coastal protected areas have been declared and gazetted; b) Management plans for these marine and coastal protected areas have been developed with involvement of all stakeholders; c) Effective management with enforcement and monitoring has been put in place; f) The national system of marine and coastal protected areas includes areas managed for purpose of sustainable use, which may allow extractive activities; g) The national system of marine and coastal protected areas includes areas which exclude extractive uses; h) The national system of marine and coastal protected areas is surrounded by sustainable management practices over the wider marine and coastal environment? For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD (http://www.cbd.int/reports/search/default.shtml). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCBD survey: coastal habitat. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD (http://www.cbd.int/reports/search/default.shtml). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCBD survey: ocean habitat. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD (http://www.cbd.int/reports/search/default.shtml). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCoastal population density as a proxy for intertidal habitat destruction. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: CIESIN & CIAT (Center for International Earth Science Information Network /Columbia University & Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical) (2005). Gridded Population of the World, Version 3 (GPWv3): Population Density Grid, Future Estimates. Palisades, NY. and NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) and Halpern, B. S. et. al. (2008) A global map of human impact on marine ecosystems. Science, 3199(5865): 948-952. When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original sources.
More about this variableHigh bycatch artisanal fishing practices as a proxy for subtidal hard bottom habitat destruction. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Reefs at Risk Revisited (http://www.wri.org/publication/reefs-at-risk-revisited). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableDemersal destructive commercial fishing practices relative to soft-bottom habitat area as a proxy for soft bottom habitat destruction. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Sea Around Us Project (http://www.seaaroundus.org/) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCoastal protected areas inland 1km. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: United Nations - World Conservation Monitoring Centre's World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) through [Protected Planet (http://www.protectedplanet.net)]. When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCoastal marine protected areas offshore 3km. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: United Nations - World Conservation Monitoring Centre's World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) through [Protected Planet (http://www.protectedplanet.net)]. When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCBD Survey: Mariculture. A resilience measure based on questions 158(d) and 159(a-l) from The Convention on Biological Diversity country questionnaire (Third National Report to the CBD, from 2005). Question 158: Which of the following statements can best describe the current status of marine and coastal protected areas in your country: d) A national system or network of marine and coastal protected areas is under development? Question 159: Is your country applying the following techniques aimed at minimizing adverse impacts of mariculture on marine and coastal biodiversity? a) Application of environmental impact assessments for mariculture developments; b) Development and application of effective site selection methods in the framework of integrated marine and coastal area management; c) development of effective methods for effluent and waste control; d) Development of appropriate genetic resource management plans at the hatchery level; e) Development of controlled hatchery and genetically sound reproduction methods in order to avoid seed collection from nature; f) If seed collection from nature cannot be avoided, development of environmentally sound practices for spat collecting operations, including use of selective fishing gear to avoid by-catch; g) Use of native species and subspecies in mariculture; h) Implementation of effective measures to prevent the inadvertent release of mariculture species and fertile polypoids; i) Use of proper methods of breeding and proper places of releasing in order to protect genetic diversity; j) Minimizing the use of antibiotics through better husbandry techniques; k) Use of selective methods in commercial fishing to avoid or minimize bycatch; l) Considering traditional knowledge, where applicable, as a source to develop sustainable mariculture techniques. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD (http://www.cbd.int/reports/search/default.shtml)- When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableAreas of observed blast (dynamite) fishing. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Reefs at Risk Revisited (http://www.wri.org/publication/reefs-at-risk-revisited) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableAreas of observed poison fishing. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Reefs at Risk Revisited (http://www.wri.org/publication/reefs-at-risk-revisited) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableThe Ocean Health Index establishes reference points for achieving ten widely accepted socio-ecological objectives and scores the oceans adjacent to 171 countries and territories on how successfully they deliver these goals. Evaluated globally and by country, these ten public goals represent the wide range of benefits that a healthy ocean can provide; each country's overall score is the average of its respective goal scores. The ten socio-ecological objectives are: Food Provision, Artisanal Fishing Opportunities, Natural Products, Carbon Storage, Coastal Protection, Coastal Livelihoods & Economies, Tourism & Recreation, Sense of Place, Clean Waters, Biodiversity. The index varies from 0 to 100.
More about this variableCoastal chemical pollution within 3 nautical miles (nm) offshore. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Halpern, B. S. et al. (2015). Spatial and temporal changes in cumulative human impacts on the world's ocean. Nature Communications 6(7615). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original sources. and FAO's statistical database FAOSTAT (http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/browse/R/*/E). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original sources.
More about this variableChemical pollution is measured as the average of land-based organic pollution, land-based inorganic pollution, and ocean-based pollution from commercial shipping and port as proxies. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Halpern, B. S. et al. (2015). Spatial and temporal changes in cumulative human impacts on the world's ocean. Nature Communications 6(7615). and FAO's statistical database FAOSTAT (http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/browse/R/*/E). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCoastal fertilizer pollution as a proxy for nutrient pollution within 3 nautical miles (nm) offshore. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Halpern, B. S. et al. (2015). Spatial and temporal changes in cumulative human impacts on the world's ocean. Nature Communications 6(7615). and FAO's statistical database FAOSTAT (http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/browse/R/*/E). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original sources.
More about this variableFertilizer pollution as a proxy for nutrient pollution. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Halpern, B. S. et al. (2015). Spatial and temporal changes in cumulative human impacts on the world's ocean. Nature Communications 6(7615). and FAO's statistical database FAOSTAT (http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/browse/R/*/E). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableTrash pollution. Estimated by the tons of litter per km of beach collected during beach cleanups organized by the Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance in 96 countries and locations. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Eriksen M., Lebreton, L. C. M., Carson, H. S., Thiel, M., Moore, C. J. and Borerro, J. C. (2014). Plastic pollution in the world's oceans: more than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250,000 tons afloat at sea. PLoS ONE 9:e111913. and J. Afflerbach et al. (2015). [Methods](https://github.com/OHI Science/ohiprep/tree/master/globalprep/CW_pressure_trash) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original sources.
More about this variableAlien species are non-indigenous organisms introduced into an ecosystem that is not their native habitat either by accident or intentionally. Measured by total counts of all invasive species according to data from the Global Invasive Species Database (GIRD). For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Molnar, J. L., Gamboa, R. L., Revenga C., Spalding, M. (2008). Assessing the global threat of invasive species to marine biodiversity. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6(485). When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variablePercent direct employment in tourism. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: World Travel and Tourism Council, WTTC (http://www.wttc.org/research/economic-data-search-tool/) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCBD Survey: Tourism. A resilience measure based on questions 79, 80, and 82 from The Convention on Biological Diversity country questionnaire (Third National Report to the CBD, from 2005). Question 79: Has your country established mechanisms to assess, monitor and measure the impact of tourism on biodiversity? a) No; b) No, but mechanisms are under development; c) Yes, mechanisms are in place (please specify below); d) Yes, existing mechanisms are under review. Question 80: Has your country provided educational and training programmes to the tourism operators so as to increase their awareness of the impacts of tourism on biodiversity and upgrade the technical capacity at the local level to minimize the impacts? a) No; b) No, but programmes are under development; c) Yes, programmes are in place (please describe below). Question 82: Does your country provide indigenous and local communities with capacity-building and financial resources to support their participation in tourism policy-making, development planning, product development and management? a) No; b) No, but relevant programmes are being considered; c) Yes, some programmes are in place; d) Yes, comprehensive programmes are in place. For more details on the variable construction, see the original sources: Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD (http://www.cbd.int/reports/search/default.shtml) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableSustainability index. For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: World Economic Forum (http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-competitiveness) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variableCBD Survey: water. A resilience measure based on question 153(d,f) from The Convention on Biological Diversity country questionnaire (Third National Report to the CBD, from 2005). Question 153(d,f): Do your country's strategies and action plans include the following: d) Instituting improved integrated marine and coastal area management (including catchments management) in order to reduce sediment and nutrient loads into the marine environment; f) Improving sewage and other waste treatment? For more details on the variable construction, see the original source: Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD (http://www.cbd.int/reports/search/default.shtml) When using this variable, please cite both the OHI project and the original source.
More about this variable