The ocean is the largest and most consequential ecosystem on Earth. It regulates the climate, absorbs 30 percent of annual carbon emissions, supports millions of species, and drives economic activity through fisheries, trade, shipping, and tourism. Modern life depends on a functioning, healthy ocean. 

But the ocean we depend on is changing. Recent research in Nature Climate Change shows that large areas of the ocean are experiencing overlapping stressors: declining oxygen levels, shifting salinity, and increased temperatures. Nearly all ocean surfaces are experiencing ocean acidification, which occurs when the ocean’s pH declines.

These changes make it difficult for certain species to survive. Declining pH levels slowly dissolve coral reefs and shell-forming organisms such as oysters and clams. Warmer ocean temperatures also accelerate glacial melting, contributing to sea level rise and increasing risks for coastal communities. Fish that once lived closer to the surface are moving to deeper, cooler areas of the ocean. All of these changes affect species, local ecosystems, and the livelihoods that depend on them.

In Washington, policymakers are justifiably focused on an energy innovation agenda to address environmental challenges and rapidly rising energy demand. It’s time the ocean receives a similar innovation agenda, supported by better monitoring data and stronger research partnerships focused on bringing innovative technology to market.

The private sector is already demonstrating what this could look like. Sofar Ocean operates sensors that collect real-time data on waves, temperature, and weather conditions, providing researchers with clearer insight into how warming and other stressors are unfolding across the ocean. Planetary Technologies is piloting ocean alkalinity enhancement, a carbon removal process that safely increases seawater alkalinity to help counter acidification and improve the ocean’s natural ability to absorb carbon. Companies like these are emerging across the globe, aiming to address vital challenges the ocean faces.

Congress has also begun to explore this space. In the 118th Congress, Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA) introduced the Ocean Restoration Research and Development Act, which directed the Department of Energy to study marine carbon removal technologies, including iron fertilization, through research and pilot projects. Iron fertilization adds small amounts of iron to surface waters to stimulate phytoplankton growth and sequester carbon. The bill did not advance last Congress, but it sparked an important conversation about ocean restoration and research.

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Despite these efforts, the U.S. still lacks a coordinated strategy for ocean innovation. Large sections of the ocean remain unmonitored, and many regions of the highest ecological and economic value have limited real-time data on ongoing changes. Permitting for low-impact ocean projects such as sensor deployments, regenerative aquaculture, and restoration pilots can take years due to overlapping requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, and the Endangered Species Act. These delays slow research, limit experimentation, and prevent promising technologies from moving beyond pilot status.

An ocean innovation strategy should expand the tools and data we need to understand the changing ocean and support the communities that rely on it. Bills that advance marine carbon removal research through public-private partnerships are a welcome start, and should be part of a broader effort to strengthen real-time monitoring and practical science. Permitting for projects that help the ocean and the industries that depend on it should be more transparent and easier to navigate, so that good ideas can move forward. 

America is a nation of innovators, and we have the tools to strengthen the ocean’s health. What we need now is to clear the bottlenecks that hold back good ideas. Innovation has driven progress in energy and agriculture, and bringing that same focus to the seas would support healthier ecosystems and stronger, more resilient coastal economies.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.