The Ocean Equity Index

Journal Article

Title: The Ocean Equity Index

Publication Date:

January 28, 2026

Journal:

nature

Volume:

650

Pages:

123-129

Publisher:

Springer Nature

Receptor:

Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Stakeholder Engagement

Language:

English

Document Access

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Blythe, J.; Claudet, J.; Gill, D.; Ban, N.; Epstein, G.; Gurney, G.; Jupiter, S.; Mahajan, S.; Mangubhai, S.; Turner, R.; Bennett, N.; D'agata, S.; Franks, P.; Lau, J.; Ahmadia, G.; Andrachuk, M.; Annasawmy, P.; Brun, V.; Darling, E.; Di Franco, A.; Evans, L.; Lazzari, N.; Naggea, J.; Relano, V.; Pertuz, M.; Villasante, S.; Zafra-Calvo, N. (2026). The Ocean Equity Index. nature, 650, 123-129. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09976-y

@article{Blythe-2026-2130955,
author = {Blythe, J and Claudet, J and Gill, D and Ban, N and Epstein, G and Gurney, G and Jupiter, S and Mahajan, S and Mangubhai, S and Turner, R and Bennett, N and D'agata, S and Franks, P and Lau, J and Ahmadia, G and Andrachuk, M and Annasawmy, P and Brun, V and Darling, E and Di Franco, A and Evans, L and Lazzari, N and Naggea, J and Relano, V and Pertuz, M and Villasante, S and Zafra-Calvo, N},
title = {The Ocean Equity Index},
journal = {nature},
year = {2026},
month = {jan},
publisher = {Springer Nature},
volume = {650},
pages = {123--129},
doi = {10.1038/s41586-025-09976-y},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09976-y},
keywords = {Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Stakeholder Engagement},
}

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TY - JOUR
TI - The Ocean Equity Index
AU - Blythe, J
AU - Claudet, J
AU - Gill, D
AU - Ban, N
AU - Epstein, G
AU - Gurney, G
AU - Jupiter, S
AU - Mahajan, S
AU - Mangubhai, S
AU - Turner, R
AU - Bennett, N
AU - D'agata, S
AU - Franks, P
AU - Lau, J
AU - Ahmadia, G
AU - Andrachuk, M
AU - Annasawmy, P
AU - Brun, V
AU - Darling, E
AU - Di Franco, A
AU - Evans, L
AU - Lazzari, N
AU - Naggea, J
AU - Relano, V
AU - Pertuz, M
AU - Villasante, S
AU - Zafra-Calvo, N
T2 - nature
AB - The ocean is essential for humanity. Yet, inequity in ocean-based activities is widespread and accelerating. Addressing this requires governance approaches that can systematically measure equity and track progress9. Here we present the Ocean Equity Index (OEI)—a framework for assessing and improving equity in ocean initiatives, projects and policies. We apply the index, which scores twelve criteria, to case studies at local, national and global scales. We show that the OEI can generate structured data to support evidence-based decision-making across ocean sectors and scales. As a theoretically robust and widely applicable tool, the OEI can guide the design of more equitable ocean initiatives, projects or policies, ensuring better outcomes for coastal people and marine ecosystems.
DA - 2026/01//
PY - 2026
PB - Springer Nature
VL - 650
SP - 123
EP - 129
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09976-y
DO - 10.1038/s41586-025-09976-y
LA - English
KW - Human Dimensions
KW - Legal & Policy
KW - Stakeholder Engagement
ER -

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Abstract

The ocean is essential for humanity. Yet, inequity in ocean-based activities is widespread and accelerating. Addressing this requires governance approaches that can systematically measure equity and track progress9. Here we present the Ocean Equity Index (OEI)—a framework for assessing and improving equity in ocean initiatives, projects and policies. We apply the index, which scores twelve criteria, to case studies at local, national and global scales. We show that the OEI can generate structured data to support evidence-based decision-making across ocean sectors and scales. As a theoretically robust and widely applicable tool, the OEI can guide the design of more equitable ocean initiatives, projects or policies, ensuring better outcomes for coastal people and marine ecosystems.