Overview

• The inaugural Starfish barometer was unveiled on June 8, 2025, at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice to deliver a comprehensive assessment of global ocean health.
• Developed by a multidisciplinary research team and overseen by an international scientific committee, the indicator evaluates five key dimensions of marine ecosystems.
• Findings warn that 1,677 marine species, including one-third of sharks and more than a quarter of cetaceans, face extinction if current trends persist.
• The barometer highlights rapid ocean warming, widespread plastic pollution, and overexploitation of 37.7% of fish stocks, with plastic exposure costs to human health exceeding $250 billion in 2015.
• More than 50 heads of state and thousands of delegates are attending the summit where the report was launched, underscoring its role in shaping forthcoming ocean policies.