“The starfish barometer provides an overview of the ocean state, identifying where global actions are urgently needed” said Distinguished Professor Adams, the DSI-NRF South African Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems at the University.
She also represents the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research and Department of Botany.
Drawing on the latest peer-reviewed science and international assessments, the report highlights accelerating ocean change, rising societal and economic impacts, and a widening gap between human pressures and protection efforts.
The Starfish Barometer 2026, an international scientific assessment of the relationship between the Ocean and Humanity, has been published earlier this month in State of the Planet.
First launched at the third United Nations Ocean Conference in 2025, the 2026 edition has grown into a global, multidisciplinary scientific effort, bringing together 29 experts from 14 countries across oceanography, climate science, ecology, economics and social sciences.
Its conclusion is clear: ocean degradation is continuing, with signs of acceleration across several major indicators, while political, financial and conservation responses remain too limited in scale and speed for biodiversity protection.
What’s new in 2026
While revisiting key issues identified in 2025, the 2026 edition highlights several major developments in the Ocean–Humanity relationship:
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Acceleration of ocean change is becoming increasingly observable in global datasets, particularly for sea-level rise and ocean warming
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Societal impacts are becoming more visible, with rising economic losses, humanitarian risks and growing pressure on coastal economies
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Major governance milestones have been achieved, including the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) and the WTO agreement limiting harmful fisheries subsidies
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A new concern is emerging: weakening ocean observing systems are threatening the world’s ability to monitor the state and evolution of the Ocean
The Starfish Barometer is an annual, science-based initiative providing an accessible synthesis of the relationship between the Ocean and Humanity. It is structured around five interconnected dimensions: Ocean state, human pressures, societal harms, protection efforts, and opportunities for humanity. It consolidates and translates authoritative scientific knowledge from peer-reviewed literature and major international assessments.
First launched at the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2025, the Starfish Barometer is published annually on World Ocean Day. Its findings are also included in the annual Copernicus Marine Service Ocean State Report, linking it to the broader international scientific community monitoring the Ocean.