As the ocean economy takes off in new tangents beyond traditional areas, it is critical that the short-term growth in the ocean economy should not come at the expense of the long-term prosperity of the ocean, including the key roles the ocean plays in regulating our climate and providing critical habitats for a diverse array of marine animals and plants. In December 2022, the parties to the United Nation (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity reached an agreement to set a global target to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of the world’s lands, inland waters, coastal wetlands, and oceans, with emphasis on areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and services. In March 2023, the UN agreed on text to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). June 2023 also saw the second round of the formal negotiations for a UN treaty to end plastic pollution—an important steppingstone in the process—which aims to have a treaty ready for adoption in 2024.