Aquatic ecosystems, comprising oceans, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries, are vital for maintaining global biodiversity, regulating climate, and supporting human livelihoods. They provide critical ecosystem services, such as water purification, carbon sequestration, and fisheries production, which sustain millions of people worldwide. However, these ecosystems face immense threats from anthropogenic activities, including overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. To mitigate these pressures, several international initiatives have been established to conserve aquatic ecosystems, focusing on biodiversity protection, sustainable resource management, and ecosystem restoration. Among these, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14, stand out as significant efforts driving global aquatic conservation. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, is a legally binding international treaty aimed at promoting sustainable development while ensuring the conservation of biodiversity. Its objectives include the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. Within the context of aquatic ecosystems, the CBD addresses the critical need to protect both freshwater and marine biodiversity. The CBD encourages member nations to develop national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) that integrate aquatic ecosystem conservation into broader environmental and development policies. A key aspect of the CBD’s work in aquatic environments is the identification and protection of ecologically significant marine areas, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, which serve as habitats for numerous species and act as natural buffers against coastal erosion. In addition to the framework provided by the CBD, the convention has facilitated several programs specifically targeting aquatic ecosystem conservation. For instance, the Ecosystem Approach, promoted by the CBD, emphasizes the maintenance of ecosystem services and biodiversity while considering human needs. This approach has been instrumental in guiding the management of fisheries, wetlands, and river basins, ensuring that human activities do not compromise the ecological integrity of aquatic systems. Furthermore, the CBD has initiated programs to combat invasive alien species that threaten freshwater and marine ecosystems, recognizing that such species can disrupt food webs, reduce native biodiversity, and alter habitat structures. The convention also supports the establishment of protected areas, including marine protected areas (MPAs), which are critical for conserving key aquatic habitats, promoting species recovery, and allowing ecosystems to adapt to climate change impacts. The CBD’s framework encourages collaboration among governments, NGOs, and local communities, fostering an integrated approach to aquatic conservation that balances ecological, social, and economic considerations. Another major international initiative focused on aquatic ecosystems is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, with Goal 14 specifically dedicated to conserving oceans, seas, and marine resources. SDG 14 aims to prevent and reduce marine pollution, sustainably manage marine and coastal