Fourteen countries have pledged to sustainably manage all national ocean areas in the next five years to curb climate change and accelerate economic recovery.

“These world leaders understand that the ocean is central to life on earth, peoples’ livelihoods and the economy, but also recognize that the ocean’s health is at risk from pressures such as pollution, overfishing and climate change,” read a news release from the High Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy.

Canada, with over five million square kilometres of ocean area, is one of the countries to put forward a new ocean action agenda on Wednesday.

According to the release, the new agenda could result in the production of up to six times more food from the ocean.

It can also “generate 40 times more renewable energy, lift millions of people out of poverty, and contribute one-fifth of the GHG emissions reductions needed to stay within 1.5°C,” the release said.

The panel said more than three billion people around the world rely on food from the ocean.

“The ocean provides food, energy and medicine. It is the source of recreation, discovery, identity and culture for billions of people,” read the release.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the release that oceans are at the heart of many Canadian communities as well.

“Having the world’s longest coastline, Canada recognizes that our economy and our well-being are deeply connected with the health of our oceans, and that we have a responsibility to protect them,” Trudeau said.