OCE-B.11.D - Strategic Environmental Assessment of Marine Habitats
Has the company conducted a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) or similar of the impact of its direct operations on marine habitats and reported the results?
About the data
The WBA Ocean Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to halt and reverse nature loss in marine ecosystems, tracking how companies manage their impacts on ocean biodiversity, marine habitats, and the communities and workers dependent on healthy seas. The 2026 edition is WBA's first Ocean Benchmark, assessing 125 companies across key sectors dependent on oceans, including seafood, maritime transport, offshore wind energy, shipbuilding, port operations, apparel, and chemicals. Companies are assessed on 47 indicators across four measurement areas: governance, ecosystems and biodiversity, social responsibility, and core social indicators. The benchmark builds on WBA's Nature Benchmark and the former Seafood Stewardship Index, and its methodology was developed with input from more than 50 stakeholders including ocean communities, companies, scientists and civil society, with human rights and social impacts kept at its core alongside nature-specific concerns. More information can be found here.
Methodology
Coastal and marine habitats are a vital component of ecosystems, yet they are easily
disrupted by human activities and are often challenging to restore. Coastal development, shipping,
ports and other anthropogenic activities modify these habitats, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem
structure. Activities such as aquaculture, bottom-trawl fishing, construction, deforestation and
anchoring or dredging in ports and coastal areas can significantly affect benthic marine habitats.
The seafloor, considered a sensitive area, is particularly important as it forms the foundation of a
healthy marine environment and is home to millions of marine species and habitats. It generates food
and oxygen in our seas and oceans and contributes to regulating the climate. As stated in the
European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2017), it is essential to preserve the integrity of
the seafloor at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of benthic ecosystems are
safeguarded. Companies are expected to avoid or minimise the negative impacts of their operations
on marine and coastal ecosystems, paying special attention to seafloor integrity, and protect sensitive
areas (SDG 14.2, 14.5).
Research Guidance:
For this element to be met, the company must:
Demonstrate that it examines the impacts of its operations on marine and coastal sensitive habitats. This can include species in these habitats, but it is not mandatory.
OR
Have a policy stating that the company willconduct environmental impact assessments associated with impacts on sensitive areas across substantial operations.
OR
Provide at least a high-level summary of an environmental risk or impact assessment for its most material operations.
The company can use different tools for this:
Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
Socio-economic assessment (SecA)
Marine spatial planning
Other examples include:
Having policies and practices in place that protect vulnerable species and habitats in sensitive habitats.
Following best practice on routing for animal welfare and biodiversity considerations in sensitive habitats.
Developments that are part of a more systemic understanding of the marine space in which they will operate, including using marine spatial planning and with particular sensitivity to the presence and continued health of ecologically valuable, bio-diverse and protected areas.
Shipping: Avoid sensitive areas when planning new transport routes.
disrupted by human activities and are often challenging to restore. Coastal development, shipping,
ports and other anthropogenic activities modify these habitats, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem
structure. Activities such as aquaculture, bottom-trawl fishing, construction, deforestation and
anchoring or dredging in ports and coastal areas can significantly affect benthic marine habitats.
The seafloor, considered a sensitive area, is particularly important as it forms the foundation of a
healthy marine environment and is home to millions of marine species and habitats. It generates food
and oxygen in our seas and oceans and contributes to regulating the climate. As stated in the
European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2017), it is essential to preserve the integrity of
the seafloor at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of benthic ecosystems are
safeguarded. Companies are expected to avoid or minimise the negative impacts of their operations
on marine and coastal ecosystems, paying special attention to seafloor integrity, and protect sensitive
areas (SDG 14.2, 14.5).
Research Guidance:
For this element to be met, the company must:
Demonstrate that it examines the impacts of its operations on marine and coastal sensitive habitats. This can include species in these habitats, but it is not mandatory.
OR
Have a policy stating that the company willconduct environmental impact assessments associated with impacts on sensitive areas across substantial operations.
OR
Provide at least a high-level summary of an environmental risk or impact assessment for its most material operations.
The company can use different tools for this:
Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
Socio-economic assessment (SecA)
Marine spatial planning
Other examples include:
Having policies and practices in place that protect vulnerable species and habitats in sensitive habitats.
Following best practice on routing for animal welfare and biodiversity considerations in sensitive habitats.
Developments that are part of a more systemic understanding of the marine space in which they will operate, including using marine spatial planning and with particular sensitivity to the presence and continued health of ecologically valuable, bio-diverse and protected areas.
Shipping: Avoid sensitive areas when planning new transport routes.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report