We're now halfway through the UN-designated "Ocean Decade" — new research initiatives have been launched, and global cooperation has been strengthened as scientists work to learn more about our oceans and to harness their potential in the fight against adverse climate change. But there are still questions to be answered:

• How firm are the commitments made under the Ocean Decade arrangement?
• Why are many countries still lagging behind in ratifying the "High Seas" treaty?
• And what will a reduction in US funding mean for ongoing ocean research?

Also, the ocean-going drones deployed to improve climate monitoring; and a new system for helping ships navigate more efficiently.

Guests

Julian Barbiere — Head of the Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO; also Ocean Decade Coordinator

Dr Meghan Cronin — Research Oceanographer, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory; and co-chair of the Observing Air-Sea Interactions Strategy (OASIS), an endorsed programme of the UN Ocean Decade

Dr Shane Keating — Associate professor, University of New South Wales; also founder of the company CounterCurrent

Dr Sarah Lothian — Senior lecturer and Academic Barrister, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong

Further information

UN Ocean Decade

Sarah Lothian — Marine Conservation and International Law, Legal Instruments for Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction