A healthy ocean is critical to modern society. More than 3 billion people depend on fish for at least one-fifth of their animal protein intake, while the ocean also supports mental and physical health, inspires cultures and traditions, and offers climate solutions that could help close the global emissions gap.What’s more is the ocean of job opportunities it provides: at least 133 million formal jobs — in sectors like tourism, fisheries, shipping, offshore oil and gas, and renewable energy — and potentially over 100 million more if you count informal jobs like family-fishing operations. Combined, these contribute over $2.5 trillion annually in goods and services to the global economy. During low tide, a woman tends to a kelp farm in Zanzibar, Tanzania, which provides raw materials for the cosmetic industry. The ocean currently provides 133 million formal jobs. Photo by YueStock/Shutterstock But recent research suggests that the size of the ocean workforce could change dramatically between now and 2050. According to projections from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (the Ocean Panel) and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, total employment in the ocean economy — and how it’s distributed across sectors — will depend heavily on how quickly the world shifts to a sustainable ocean economy that supports ocean health, equity and economic growth in the face of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.If this transition stalls, weak governance, limited sustainable investment and continued ecosystem decline could lead to nearly 40 million fewer jobs compared to today, dropping to just over 91 million by 2050.But with a swift transition where sustainable practices scale, vulnerable workers are trained for new jobs and investments shift toward ocean-friendly industries like renewable energy and decarbonized shipping, employment could instead grow to 184 million jobs by 2050, a net gain of 51 million jobs compared to today.Investing in sustainable ocean employment, while crucial in its own right, is also essential to strengthening global food and energy security. Beyond providing a critical source of nutrition for billions of people, offshore renewable energy — including wind, wave and tidal power — represents one of the largest untapped sources of low-carbon energy available to help meet rising demand while reducing emissions. By responsibly developing these resources while protecting marine ecosystems, nations can increase their own resilience to climate change as well as other external pressures. Whether this potential is realized depends on seven key drivers that are shaping the future of ocean employment:1) Climate ChangeIt is unknown what exact impact climate change will have on jobs. Ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation, sea-level rise and more frequent extreme weather events are expected to increasingly disrupt traditional industries like fisheries, coastal tourism and port operations.However, new jobs aimed at environmental protection and restoration, low-carbon energy and shipping, and ecotourism could rise in number.Decarbonized vessels and ports, for example, can act as a powerful force against climate change while supporting about 13.3 million additional jobs by 2050. This might include roles in renewable energy, alternative fuel production and bunkering (the refueling of vessels), port machinery, vehicle electrification and shore power installation. Ports can also adapt by adopting climate-smart technologies, such as sensors for real-time monitoring of water levels and structural integrity, and installing flexible infrastructure that can continue operating during disruptions.Ultimately, how climate change impacts or transforms employment hinges on the strategic choices of governments, businesses and communities. Decarbonizing ports and ships around the world, like at the Port of Shanghai, could help create 13.3 million new jobs by 2050. Photo by HuyNguyenSG/iStock. 2) Investment and Access to FinanceExpanding the ocean workforce also relies on which ocean sectors will have access to investment capital for research and development, and capacity building and training. Capital-intensive industries such as marine renewable energy, shipping and ports, and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture require long-term, predictable investment environments.Offshore wind, in particular, has the potential to generate substantial employment across engineering, installation, maintenance, project management and supply chains. For each megawatt of generation capacity over the 25-year lifetime of an offshore wind project, more than 17 jobs are created. Projections suggest the potential for millions of new jobs by 2050, too. However, such growth will only be possible where financing is accessible through clear policy and regulations, and where there’s opportunity for a long-term return on investment.And while innovative financial instruments including blue bonds, blended finance mechanisms and impact investment can help mobilize resources toward sustainable ocean industries, investments currently remain uneven, often concentrated in advanced economies like those in North America and Europe. Without deliberate efforts to equitably expand financial access in developing coastal states, global employment gains could be geographically skewed, reinforcing regional disparities as opposed to reducing them.3) Adoption of Sustainable PracticesThe speed and scale at which sustainable practices are adopted will also directly influence employment, and the stability and resilience of ocean-based industries.In coastal and marine tourism — which accounts for tens of millions of jobs globally — protecting natural areas, managing destinations responsibly and restoring ecosystems help to sustain the environment and the jobs that depend on it. Campaigns and incentives that encourage ecotourism and nature-based tourism experiences, such as guided reef snorkeling tours, habitat conservation and restoration volunteering, environmental education and community-led visitor services, can sustain emerging employment opportunities, helping tourism businesses to thrive while improving the environment.Failure to adopt sustainable practices, however, risks accelerating ecological decline, depleting key resources and ultimately contributing to job losses. Fisheries and aquaculture operations offer a key example, where unsustainable practices have repeatedly resulted in reduced employment.4) Shifting DemandGlobal market trends and demand patterns for food, energy, transportation and tourism are all evolving and influencing the ocean-based employment outlook. Blue foods, for example, including sustainable wild-capture fisheries and aquaculture, are increasingly recognized for their potential to contribute to food security, nutrition and lower-carbon protein production compared to many land-based alternatives.A rising demand for seafood presents significant opportunities for growth in sustainable aquaculture. Workforce expansion in aquaculture of both algae and animals will be closely tied to technological adoption and environmental performance. For example, adopting low-impact production technology such as recirculating aquaculture systems and offshore aquaculture installations whose distance from the coastline optimizes water flow, will allow for greater expansion of operations while limiting localized environmental impacts. Such technology will also create new roles in water quality management, data monitoring, feed innovation and aquatic animal health.Seaweed and shellfish farming, including mollusks like mussels and clams, are considered among the most environmentally sustainable forms of aquaculture and can generate employment in coastal communities while contributing to climate mitigation, nutrient cycling and ecosystem restoration.Alongside these initiatives, shifting consumer and corporate preferences for certified sustainable and low-carbon food are reshaping supply chains. Producers that can demonstrate sustainable sourcing, traceability and compliance with labor standards are more likely to access premium markets and international trade opportunities as consumer demand for these traits increases. This transition strengthens demand for skills in digital traceability systems, sustainability auditing, environmental compliance and value-chain management. Those unable to meet evolving standards risk exclusion from key markets and potential long-term job loss.5) Energy NeedsWith global energy demand increasing as cutting greenhouse gas emissions remains a priority, there’s opportunity for economic development and employment for many (but not all) countries. Marine renewable energy (such as offshore wind, tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversion and solar) is positioned for significant expansion.In contrast, employment in offshore oil and gas is expected to contract as fossil fuel demand declines. This transition will impact energy corporate leaders and could cause disruption to the workforce. Many skills in offshore engineering, subsea operations and marine logistics are transferable to renewables, but without structured retraining, policy support and social safety nets, workers and communities may face prolonged disruption. Managed well, however, the transition may result in the net creation of more than 6 million jobs. Off the coast of Ninh Thuan, Vietnam, workers build a wind turbine tower. Many of the same skills needed for offshore oil and gas jobs can be transferable to offshore renewable energy industries. Photo by thelamephotographer/Shutterstock. 6) InnovationA crucial factor shaping the future of the ocean workforce will be how technological advances will affect the quantity and quality of ocean jobs.For example, advances in digital monitoring, satellite tracking, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and data analytics can improve efficiency and environmental performance across fisheries and aquaculture, potentially leading to greater and higher-quality catches.Additionally, in maritime transport, predictive maintenance technologies and AI-aided route-planning and logistics may increase fuel efficiency and reduce vessel wait times. High-skill growth areas such as marine biotechnology, ocean data services and climate intelligence platforms are also emerging and creating demand for expertise in bioinformatics, marine genomics, spatial planning and environmental modeling.One complication facing ocean employment, however, is the possibility of an aging workforce. In many regions, fewer young workers are entering ocean industries, raising concerns about labor shortage, knowledge transfer, succession planning and long-term productivity approaching 2050. This demographic shift may intensify the need for innovation to compensate for potential labor shortages. For example, automation and digitization may replace some jobs at ports. Attracting and retaining younger workers in ocean industries will require government and private investment in ocean literacy, digital infrastructure, modernized trainings, safer workplaces and clearer career progression opportunities.7) Regulatory RequirementsRegulatory frameworks and market standards are increasingly shaping both the structure and the skill profile of ocean employment. From international agreements and national climate policies to carbon pricing mechanisms and private certification schemes, these initiatives are redefining how ocean industries operate and what competencies workers must bring.The shipping sector provides one example. As decarbonization targets are set to increase in ambition under global climate commitments, vessel and port operators are looking toward low- and zero-emission fuels to help reduce their carbon intensity. This shift is contributing to a demand for new technical expertise in fuel handling, vessel refitting and redesign, energy-efficiency optimization, emissions monitoring and environmental compliance. Similarly, many port authorities are starting to invest in shore-power systems and green bunkering infrastructure, creating roles in electrical engineering, safety regulation and environmental performance auditing.As regulatory requirements tighten, firms that adapt early are more likely to maintain competitiveness, attract investment and secure access to premium or regulated markets. For workers, this transition underscores the growing importance of environmental literacy, regulatory and certification familiarity, and adaptive skills across all ocean sectors — from small-scale fisheries to global shipping fleets.An Ocean of OpportunitiesWe are at a fork in the road. By 2050, the formal ocean economy could either employ fewer than 100 million people, or nearly 184 million. The difference lies in whether climate action, investment flows, workforce planning, reskilling and capacity-building, and governance align to unlock sustainable growth. But having a robust ocean economy depends on deliberate choices to integrate sustainability and social inclusion into economic strategies.This was echoed last year at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, where world leaders launched the Global Initiative on Jobs & Skills for the New Economy. This initiative aims to accelerate investment in people, align workforce planning with climate strategies and promote inclusive training systems, recognizing that climate action can generate substantial new employment opportunities.Linking climate policy to jobs underscores why coordinated action matters. Firms and governments that adopt forward-looking regulation, invest in just transition pathways and build robust training systems will be better positioned to maintain market access and competitiveness.Without these deliberate policy choices and workforce supports, the ocean economy risks stagnating or contracting as ecological pressures and market shifts deepen. With them, however, the ocean can remain not only a source of ecological value but also a powerful and expanding engine of quality, resilient employment opportunities globally, helping to deliver both environmental and economic resilience in a rapidly changing climate.