Oceanic top predators, the marine ecosystems that support them and dependent socio-economic systems have been the subject of studies by researchers under the Climate Impacts on Oceanic Top Predators (CLIOTOP) regional programme since 2005. Research conducted under the programme has focused on how climate change is affecting the pelagic ocean, with a range of impacts detected or predicted for open ocean biology, and provision of ecosystem services such as food. Research has also focused on exploring the socio-economic consequences of oceanic change, and in some cases, evaluating the adaptation options that can reduce the vulnerability to climate change. In this special issue, 18 papers arising from the 4th CLIOTOP symposium, held in Keelung, Taiwan Republic of China in October 2018, report on a wide range of predator responses to historical climate variability, and changes in marine systems associated with climate change and commercial fishing. They describe new frameworks and approaches for understanding the population and spatial dynamics, trophodynamics, and future distributions of a range of species as well as identifying individual drivers of change and future risks to populations. Several contributions further our understanding of the trophic linkages between prey and predators and the pathways through which the environment can influence predators. Research conducted through collaborations facilitated by CLIOTOP align with several of the goals set out under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and a number of the challenges identified as needing to be addressed in order to achieve the societal outcomes of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030. Setting future research directions that maximise the potential of the network of scientists contributing to the CLIOTOP programme will assist in progressing the science required for achieving a sustainable future.