Ocean Decade Programme on Sustainable Ocean Planning (SOP Programme)

The Ocean Decade Programme on Sustainable Ocean Planning (SOP) has been co-designed and developed to respond to the recommendations of the Ocean Panel’s agenda with regards to achieving 100% of sustainable ocean planning.

It also aims to leverage the ecosystem of the Ocean Decade, particularly in relation to Challenge 4 (Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy), and fast-track SOP implementation in coastal nations through technical and scientific support.

While the high-level purpose of this SOP Programme is to empower nations with the necessary tools and knowledge to develop and implement user-driven, mission-oriented, climate-smart and equitable SOP underpinned by scientific and Indigenous and local knowledge, the Programme also intends to support transboundary cooperation and enhance capacity development. Thus, the SOP Programme aims to foster a global community of practice, bringing together nations, researchers, and stakeholders to co-create and co-develop tailored, evidence-driven strategies for sustainable ocean use.

Start Date: 03/01/2024
End Date: 31/12/2050

Lead Contact: Fanny Douvere (f.douvere@unesco.org)

This Programme hosts the following Ocean Decade Projects:

• Boosting seaweed farming with genetic resources
• WASTE2TASTE: Innovative applications of postharvest fish losses
• FAMOS: Floating islAnds for Multi-use Offshore Spaces
• ShellFishBoost: EU shellfish genetic boost for climate resilience
• Quieting Oceans for a Sustainable Future
• Digital Twin of the Ocean: Animal Tracking
• ARCFISH: Digital Twin of the Ocean for Arctic Fisheries
• MEDSEAPLAN: Better Data for Marine Spatial Planning in the Mediterranean
• FOODIMAR
• AQUABALANCE: Sustainability in the European aquaculture
• INSPIRE: Rare Earth Element Reduction in Ocean Green Energy
• AQUAFEED UPGRADED
• SEAREFINERY: Development of blue feed & feeds biorefinery
• BLUEBOOST: Low trophic species to boost aquaculture