World's first Ocean Health Index finds Earth's oceans only 67pc healthy

World's first ever Ocean Health Index has rated the Earth's oceans at 67 out of 100 in overall health.

The Global assessment for Ocean Health Indexconducted by UCSB's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis also assessed the Antarctic and the 15 ocean regions beyond national jurisdiction (high-seas areas) - all critical regions for maintaining a healthy climate, safeguarding biodiversity and providing sustainable food sources.

According to the report, the Antarctic's biodiversity scored of 94 out of, for the Antarctic and Southern Ocean the eight goals assessed were Food Production (55), Natural Products (29), Coastal Protection (99), Economies and Livelihoods (83), Tourism and Recreation (55), Sense of Place (46), Coastal Protection (99), Clean Water (100) and Biodiversity (94).

Together with the 220 exclusive economic zones (EEZs) measured in 2012 and 2013, the index now measures all of the oceans on planet Earth. The overall score for global EEZ, accounting for modification and updates of data and methods, is 68 in 2014.

The Western Indian Ocean and Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean scored highest overall at 79 and the Northwestern Pacific Ocean scored lowest at 53. The Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean had a Fisheries score of 81 out of 100, followed by the Western Indian Ocean with 80, making them the highest-scoring sectors for fisheries. At 7, the Northwestern Pacific Ocean had the lowest Fisheries score because, among other things, its stocks were farthest from the biomass that provides maximum sustainable yield.