New Ocean Equity Index launches to drive fair and inclusive ocean governance

Today marks the launch of the Ocean Equity Index (OEI), a new free tool designed to assess and promote equity in ocean initiatives, projects and policies. Published in Nature, and developed by 27 leading experts in marine conservation, social justice and ocean governance over three years, the OEI provides the first standardised tool for measuring and advancing ocean equity from local to global scales.

The OEI evaluates 12 key criteria that represent the foundational components of equity, ranging from human and Indigenous rights to benefit sharing. Each criterion is scored on a scale of 0 (least equitable) to 3 (most equitable), thus offering a transparent assessment that can guide improvements and highlight opportunities for more inclusive and just ocean management.

“The health of the oceans is inseparable from the well-being of the people who depend on them,” said Jessica Blythe, Associate Professor, Brock University. “The Ocean Equity Index gives communities, governments, NGOs, and private companies a practical way to identify inequities and take meaningful action to ensure that the costs and benefits of ocean initiatives are shared fairly.”

Dr Rachel Turner, from the University of Exeter, said: “Globally, coastal communities face unprecedented change that risks deepening existing inequalities. The Ocean Equity Index translates theoretical principles into a much-needed practical framework to assess and advance equity in ocean policy, ensuring benefits for both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.”

Dr Louisa Evans, also from the University of Exeter, added: “The Ocean Equity Index was developed through a really exciting international collaboration among academics and practitioners. It aims to make a positive difference to marine sustainability and equity worldwide. It is open access and free to use and we invite others to use it and develop it further.”

The tool is designed for use by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, NGOs, companies, governments, researchers and other groups to assess equity, understand gaps, identify actions for improving equity, and track progress over time. The OEI can be applied in any ocean sector (e.g., fisheries, aquaculture, marine conservation, blue carbon, offshore energy, etc.) and from local to global scales. It creates a shared language and common variables for planning, monitoring, evaluation, and scientific research.