International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 40-50 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 41 To this end, this study aims to explore how the Ocean Decade can reverse the declining trend of global ocean health through scientific research and technological innovation. Globally, marine scientific research and technological innovation are becoming the key to solving marine problems and promoting sustainable development of the ocean. Through an in-depth analysis of the core goals, strategic priorities, and specific cases during the implementation of the “Ocean Decade” plan, this study aims to reveal the actual role and potential of scientific research and technological innovation in ocean protection and restoration, and how these efforts contribute to It provides new ideas and solutions for the healthy restoration and long-term protection of marine ecosystems. In addition, this study will also explore the challenges encountered in the implementation of the “Ocean Decade” plan, including issues in funding, coordination and cooperation, knowledge dissemination, etc., and how to overcome these through international cooperation, policy support, and public participation. challenge. Through a comprehensive analysis of the “Ocean Decade” plan, this study hopes to provide valuable reference and inspiration for future marine scientific research and policy formulation, emphasizing the role of scientific research and technological innovation in responding to global ocean challenges and promoting sustainable development of the ocean. Its core role not only provides the scientific community with research direction and motivation, but also provides the whole society with scientific basis and practical path to protect and restore ocean health. 1 Background and Causes of Ocean Health Decline The decline of global ocean health is a complex issue that has attracted international attention. It is not only related to the stability of marine ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity, but also directly affects the economic development and public health of human society. When we deeply explored the background and causes of the decline in ocean health, we found that climate change, pollution, overfishing and other factors jointly act on the marine ecosystem, leading to a series of negative consequences. 1.1 The full impact of climate change The impact of climate change on marine ecosystems is multifaceted. Poloczanska et al. (2016) reviewed recent responses of marine organisms to climate change in his study, ranging from tropical waters to polar oceans. The study covers changes in calcification rates, demography, abundance, distribution and species phenomena of marine organisms. Results showed general trends in species responses consistent with expectations from climate change, including shifts to poleward and deeper distributions, earlier spring phenology, decreased calcification, and increased abundance of warm-water species (Figure 1). At the same time, the rise in seawater temperatures has accelerated the melting of polar ice caps and raised sea levels, threatening the ecology and human living environment in coastal areas (Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2019). In addition, climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme ocean weather events, such as severe storms and hurricanes, which have had direct and indirect negative impacts on marine ecosystems and human activities. 1.2 The far-reaching harm of pollution to the ocean Marine pollution is another important factor causing long-term harm to marine ecosystems. Plastic pollution has become a typical representative of marine pollution. Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year, affecting the survival of marine life and affecting humans through the food chain. Häder et al. (2020) explored the impact of various pollutants generated by human activities, such as sewage, nutrients and terrestrial substances, crude oil, heavy metals and plastics, on the functions of marine and estuarine ecosystems (Figure 2). Pollutants affect ecosystem services and values by directly and indirectly interfering with ecosystem structure and function. Plastic pollution has had negative effects on growth, development, behavior, reproduction, and mortality, and more research is needed to reveal the effects caused by pollutants in detail (Thushari and Senevirathna, 2020). The above-mentioned studies show that marine pollution is a global problem that not only affects the health of marine ecosystems, but also has a significant impact on human health and the economy.
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