HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS, AND ISLANDS
In This Issue
www.globaloceans.org
Issue No. 9 April 2006
Editorial...1
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Paris Conference
The Second Intergovernmental Review Meeting of the UNEP Global Programme of Action for the
Highlights...2
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (IGR-2) will be held in Beijing,
Ecosystem Approach to
China, on October 16 ­ 20, 2006. Visit: http://www.gpa.unep.org/bin/php/igr/index.php
Management...5
GEF and LMEs...9
Editorial
Jeffrey Sachs on Poverty
Reduction...11
At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and in the Millennium Development
African Perspectives...14 Goals (MDG) (most recently reaffirmed in 2005), the world's political leaders adopted a far-reaching
Progress on Fisheries...18 set of goals, targets, and timetables to improve the quality of the ocean environment and the lives of
Linking Freshwater and
people living in coastal areas and small islands.
Oceans...22
IGR-2 Workshop...28
At the Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands: Moving the Global Oceans Agenda
SIDS...30
Forward (held at UNESCO, Paris, January 23-28, 2006), all parts of the global oceans community (403
Island Biodiversity...36
participants from 78 countries, including 38 ministers) came together to determine: How are we doing
Capacity...38
in the fulfillment of these commitments? How can we do better?
Tsunami and Disaster
Preparedness...42
This issue of the newsletter presents highlights from the Global Conference and summaries of discussions
High Seas Issues...47
related to the attainment of major WSSD and MDG ocean goals, e.g.: achieving ecosystem-based and
Oceans and Climate...51 integrated coastal and ocean management; arresting declines in fisheries; advancement of the Global
Ocean Industries Best
Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities;
Practices...55
reducing poverty in Africa and in other developing areas; implementing the Mauritius Strategy for the
Ocean Donors
sustainable development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS); establishing networks of marine
Roundtable...57
protected areas; and developing a global marine assessment.
Engaging the Public...59
About Us...60
Also presented in this issue are highlights of conference discussions of the Tsunami tragedy--one year
later, and of emerging ocean issues, including marine areas beyond national jurisdiction, and issues related to oceans and climate.
It is clear from the discussions at the Global Conference that progress in fulfilling the international mandates on oceans has generally
been slow, although in a number of areas there are encouraging signs of forward movement, both on the part of international initiatives
and leadership from the national level. Some lessons clearly emerge from the Paris discussions, for example:
Systematic monitoring and data collection on national and international efforts to implement the WSSD oceans mandates is
needed, including to draw lessons learned and to develop best practices. This is especially the case with regard to progress on
the cross-cutting goals (e.g. achieving ecosystem management and integrated ocean and coastal management), since these are
not, at present, being tracked systematically.
There is no regular collection and assessment of information on the social and economic well-being of coastal communities--
the home of 50% of the world's population, making it very difficult to ascertain progress on Millennium Development Goals
in the context of oceans, coasts, and SIDS.
Conference participants recommitted themselves to accelerate progress in the attainment of the international ocean targets, laying
out a specific strategy for next steps and for promoting synergy and mobilizing active partnerships and coalitions to advance the
global oceans agenda.
A full report on Progress Achieved on the Oceans/Coasts/SIDS Goals from the WSSD and the MDG will be available in June
2006 and will be presented at the UN Informal Consultative Process on Oceans. In the meantime, we hope the summaries in this
issue capture the general nature of the discussions and provide a useful overview. Full coverage of the conference was provided
by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin and is available at http://www.iisd.ca/ymb/globaloceans3/ymbvol68num3e.html. The
conference presentations and other information may be found at http://www.globaloceans.org/globalconferences/2006/index.html.
All of us at the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands sincerely thank the Conference participants and sponsors for their
dedication and leadership in promoting the sustainable development of oceans, coastal areas, and SIDS. Special thanks are due to
Lindsey Williams for organizing this special issue of Global Forum News.
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Co-Chair and Head of Secretariat,
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, created at the WSSD in Johannesburg in September 2002, aims to advance the
interests of oceans - incorporating 72% of the Earth; coasts - the home of 50% of the world's population; and islands - 43 of the world's
nations are small island developing states, which are especially dependent on the oceans. The Forum is composed of individuals from
governments, intergovernmental and international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (environmental, scientific/techni-
cal, industry, and foundations) with the common goal of achieving the sustainable development of oceans, coasts and islands.
Co-Chairs
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Director
Dr. Patricio A. Bernal, Executive Secretary
Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, Coordinator 1
CMP/University of Delaware
IOC/UNESCO
UNEP/GPA Coordination Office

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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE
Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Co-Chair and Head of Secretariat,
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
Background
note that there has been recent promising action by
The Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and
several nations and also at the international level as
Islands: Moving the Global Oceans Agenda Forward,
some efforts have been launched to improve progress
organized by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
towards these targets.
Islands, was held January 23-28, 2006 at the UNESCO
· In many of the poorest countries, a cycle of extreme
headquarters in Paris, France. The Conference included
poverty coupled with excessive exploitation of the
over 400 participants from 78 countries, with 38 ministers
environment needed for survival still prevails, contrib-
and high level government representatives in atten-
uting to marine pollution, as the United Nations'
dance. The Conference brought together key national
Special Advisor Jeffrey Sachs told the conference.
level officials, regional organizations, UN agencies,
· SIDS, which have stewardship over vast ocean areas,
donors, industry, non-governmental organizations, and
are having difficulty enforcing conservation policies
scientists to assess progress achieved and obstacles
and controlling development in their marine environ-
faced in the implementation of international targets on
ment due to logistical and financial constraints which
oceans, coasts, and small island developing states
have worsened due to declines in overseas develop-
(SIDS), especially those related to the 2002 World
ment assistance.
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), the
· The goal of establishing representative networks of
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and other
marine protected areas by 2012 will not be met until
related agreements.
2085 at the present rate of designation, according to a
Assessment of Progress Achieved on World
study discussed at the conference. Fortunately, some
Summit on Sustainable Development Targets
countries, such as Australia, Palau, the Cook Islands,
and Costa Rica, have made significant progress in
and Millennium Development Goals
Participants at the Third Global Conference agreed that
Global Conference Statistics
progress towards implementation of global targets
Total participants: 403
related to oceans, coasts and islands has been slow, but
From:
that there are some promising developments. Confer-
78 countries (33% developing countries; 29%
ence panelists and participants noted that:
developed countries; 27% SIDS; 10% countries in
· The targets of eliminating illegal, unreported and
transition)
unregulated fishing and fishing overcapacity by 2004
38 Ministers/High Level participants
and 2005 have not yet been met and 75% of fish stocks
Background of participants:
are classified by FAO as fully exploited, over exploited,
33% from government organizations
or depleted. Participants said that while the WSSD
30% from NGO and academic sector
targets had been set unrealistically early, there was
24% from international organizations
particular concern over insufficient national actions
7% from private sector
implementing the fisheries targets. Participants did
6% from journalism sector
GEF MSP: Fostering a Global Dialogue on Oceans, Coasts, and SIDS,
and on Freshwater-Coastal-Marine Interlinkages
Portugal
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establishing marine protected areas with a view
largely concentrated on the need to address these
towards protecting marine and coastal biodiversity.
interlinkages at two upcoming events, the 4th World
· Although half of the world's 43 SIDS, as well as a
Water Forum (WWF4) and the IGR-2. The meeting
number of other countries, have adopted ecosystem-
participants further agreed to suggest paragraphs on
based management and coastal and ocean manage-
freshwater to oceans themes for inclusion in the Ministe-
ment programs, no international organization is
rial Declaration from the WWF4. It was ultimately
responsible for tracking progress in the establishment
recommended that the freshwater and oceans communi-
of these programs. In addition, there is no regular
ties should create stronger partnerships, for example
collection of information on the social and economic
through collaboration between the Global Forum and the
well-being of coastal communities.
Global Water Partnership.
· While there are now more than 700 Integrated Coastal
The Tsunami Disaster and Disaster Preparedness
Zone Management initiatives in more than 90 nations
Conference panelists and participants discussed the
around the world, there are no standardized evaluation
lessons learned from the December 2004 Indian Ocean
criteria for measuring their performance in achieving
Tsunami, including discussion of why some areas were
the MDG and WSSD goals, although there are efforts
impacted less severely than others. It was noted that the
towards this direction.
severity of impact varied considerably according to the
· Sixty states have initiated national plans of action to
specific physical parameters of the shores, and as part of
address land-based sources of marine pollution under
the process of risk assessment there is a need for
the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of
detailed mapping. In addition, efforts should be made to
the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities,
conserve and wherever possible rehabilitate mangroves,
which accounts for 80% of marine pollution.
sand dunes and coral reefs as they provide a natural
· Regarding the implementation of Integrated Water
barrier against tsunamis and storm surges. In general, no
Resource Management, encompassing both marine
effective warning systems were in place at the time of the
and land-based management: 14 countries demon-
December 2004 event. There are many basic education
strated "good progress," 51 have "taken some steps,"
measures that can be undertaken without great cost,
while 43 are in the initial stages of implementation.
such as inclusion of hazard awareness and emergency
· South-South cooperation on marine issues among
procedures in high risk coastal communities. Putting in
SIDS has been increasing, notably with the establish-
place well-coordinated emergency plans that are
ment of a Consortium of Universities linking the
rehearsed by local authorities and communities is
Pacific, Caribbean and Indian Ocean regions.
paramount, though the difficulty of maintaining the
· The establishment of a process for regular, global
necessary level of awareness over the long-term is
reporting on, and assessment of, the marine environ-
acknowledged. Participants emphasized the need for
ment, including socioeconomic aspects - the Global
nations and local authorities to establish strategic land-
Marine Assessment (GMA) - initially set for 2004, has
use planning and implementation in the context of
finally taken off after initial delays related to differ-
integrated coastal management.
ences in opinion among the countries concerned.
· According to the U.N. Millennium Project, urgent
Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing
action is needed to achieve the MDGs, but it remains
States
to be seen if sufficient action has occurred to move
A key aspect of the SIDS discussions at the Conference
closer towards their achievement. Much effort has
focused on efforts to implement the 2005 Mauritius
been put into the development of indicators to
Strategy for the further Implementation of the Barbados
measure achievement towards the targets and goals,
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development
but little emphasis has been placed on oceans and
of Small Island Developing States. Discussions also
coasts and coastal populations.
recommended the formal institutionalization of the
Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), and
Special Topics Discussion
the need to promote coordination, integration, and
Linking Freshwater to Oceans
communication at the global, interregional, regional,
During the Third Global Conference, there was much
national and local levels for the implementation of the
emphasis on the need to link freshwater and coastal
Mauritius Strategy. It was also noted that there is a need
issues. There was particular focus on progress towards
to deploy additional resources to assist in these efforts.
the implementation of the UNEP Global Programme of
Linking National and Regional Efforts in Ocean and
Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
Coastal Management: African Perspectives
from Land-Based Activities (GPA) and preparations for
Panels and discussions related to ocean and coastal
the GPA Intergovernmental Review (IGR-2). Discussions
management in African nations covered identification of
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next steps needed to further develop capacity and
discussed the fact that climate change mitigation is a
programs in coastal and ocean management, as well as
major challenge, which includes energy, economic,
ways to achieve synergy among existing regional and
technological and development policy. The emerging
national efforts. Suggestions included the need to: build
threat of ocean acidification was also discussed due to
partnerships within the region and to use local expertise;
concerns that it could undermine the marine food web
strengthen African Universities and technical institu-
and preclude coral development, among other things.
tions to create a critical mass of ocean and coastal
Panelists noted that it is now apparent that, on top of
professionals; assist with boundary delineation of EEZs
pollution and overfishing, climate variability and change
and continental shelves; promote a culture of transpar-
including acidification, may pose significant threats to
ency and disclosure among ocean users (industry,
the productivity of oceans. The challenge is to under-
governments, development partners and civil society);
stand the complex processes related to oceans and
and, promote corporate responsibility through partner-
climate change, and to develop adequate policies. It was
ships to address equitable benefit sharing from ocean
also noted that on a global and regional level, climate
use agreements.
change science and policy need to be inserted into the
Capacity Development
oceans agenda, and oceans science and policy need to
A variety of recommendations to improve capacity for
be inserted in the climate agenda.
ocean and coastal management were discussed at the
Follow-up Activities of the Global Forum
Conference, including the development of ocean
The Conference Co-Chairs Report, incorporating an
strategy workshops for decision makers, initially
assessment of progress on the oceans targets of the
focusing on SIDS senior government executives; the
WSSD and MDG, will be released in June 2006. In
promotion of South-South cooperation and exchange
addition, following discussions at the Third Global
through 1) the exchange of existing educational materials
Conference, several new efforts are underway. These
and curricula through an e-library or clearing house, and
include:
2) the strengthening of the ocean and coastal compo-
· Anticipation of important ocean issues that will be the
nents of the SIDS University Consortium and other
subject of UN negotiations in the next decade, and
regional scientific networks. A proposal to create a UN
preparation of policy analyses and multistakeholder
Goodwill Ambassador for the Oceans was also made.
policy dialogues before the negotiations to clarify the
Improving High Seas and Deep Seabed Governance
issues, develop options, lay out various perspectives,
The panel and multi-stakeholder dialogue sessions on
and identify possible avenues for consensus building
governance of areas beyond national jurisdiction were
among disparate interests.
led by a Working Group which approached the issue
· Focus on ocean use agreements (for oil and gas,
from an ecosystem perspective and addressed issues
fisheries) in developing country contexts, such as in
relating both to the high seas and to the deep seabed, in
African EEZs, with a view to enhancing local benefits,
particular governance of high seas fisheries and genetic
transparency, and environmental sustainability.
resources of the deep seabed. There were a number of
· Collaboration with SIDS nations in the implementation
suggestions for further work, including improvement of
of the Mauritius Strategy, especially: collaboration
regional governance arrangements (i.e. Regional
with the SIDS University Consortium to enhance
Fisheries Management Organizations), and examination
capacity development in ocean and coastal
of public-private partnerships for marine biotechnology
management, and development of ocean strategy
research. During the Conference, it was agreed that the
workshops for high-level SIDS decisionmakers.
Working Group would continue on as a "knowledge
· Development of a cooperative work program between
network," and would also consider the need for further
ocean institutions and freshwater institutions to
research and analytical work. The session outcomes
enhance oceans/freshwater linkages at global,
were presented at the UN Ad hoc open-ended informal
regional, national, and local levels.
working group to study issues relating to the conserva-
· Policy analyses and multistakeholder dialogues on
tion and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond
issues related to marine areas beyond national
national jurisdiction in February 2006.
jurisdiction.
· Development of a Media Roundtable, akin to the
Climate and Oceans
Business and Industry Leaders Roundtable and to the
The Conference addressed the interlinkages between
Ocean Donors Roundtable.
climate and oceans, and Conference participants
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
THE ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO INTEGRATED
OCEAN AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Summary prepared by Charles Ehler, The World Conservation Union ­ World Commission on
Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA) and Chua Thia-Eng, Partnerships in Environmental
Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA).
Integrated Ocean and Coastal Management and the
area management, are consistent with the ecosystem
Ecosystem Approach were considered throughout the
approach and support its application in various sectors
Third Global Conference, and in particular through
or biomes, including coastal and marine environments.
several dialogue sessions including the bottom line
assessment dialogue chaired by: Charles Ehler, IUCN-
The most important direct driver of change in marine
WCPA and Chua Thia-Eng, PEMSEA.
ecosystems over the last 50 years has been fishing
which affects the structure, function, and biodiversity of
Background
the oceans. Fishing pressure is so strong in some
The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI)
marine systems that over much of the world the biomass
includes several goals relating particularly to the
of fish targeted in fisheries (including that of both the
ecosystem approach and integrated management. These
target species and those caught incidentally) has been
goals include:
reduced by 90% relative to levels prior to the onset of
· Encouragement of the application of the ecosystem
industrial fishing. In these areas a number of targeted
approach by 2010 for the sustainable development of
stocks in all oceans have collapsed ­ having been over-
the oceans, particularly for the management of
fished or fished above their maximum sustainable levels.
fisheries and the conservation of biodiversity.
Recent studies have demonstrated that global fisheries
· Promotion of integrated coastal and ocean
landing peaked in the late 1980s and are now declining
management at the national level and encourage and
despite increasing effort and fishing power, with little
assistance to countries in developing ocean policies
evidence of this trend reversing under current practices.
and mechanisms on integrated coastal management.
· Assistance to developing countries in coordinating
On 21 March 2005, over 200 academic scientists and
policies and programmes at the regional and sub-
policy experts signed a consensus statement on the
regional levels aimed at conservation and sustainable
definition of marine ecosystem-based management
management of fishery resources and implement
(EBM): (1) emphasizing the protection of ecosystem
integrated coastal area management plans, including
structure, functioning, and key processes; (2) defining
through the development of infrastructure.
EBM as place-based or area-based in focusing on a
specific ecosystem and the range of activities affecting
Ecosystem approaches, as adopted by many multi-lateral
it; (3) explicitly accounting for the interconnectedness
environmental agreements, provide an important
within systems, recognizing the importance of
framework for assessing biodiversity and ecosystem
interactions between target species or key services and
services and evaluating and implementing potential
other non-target species; (4) acknowledging
responses. The Convention on Biological Diversity
interconnectedness among systems, such as between air,
(CBD) refers to the ecosystem approach as "a strategy
land and sea; and (5) integrating ecological, social,
for the integrated management of land, water, and living
economic, and institutional perspectives, recognizing
resources that promotes conservation and sustainable
their strong interdependence.
use in an equitable way." Application of the ecosystem
approach involves a focus on the functional relationships
Several countries (e.g. Canada, Australia, and the United
and processes within ecosystems, attention to the
Kingdom) have begun to apply an ecosystem approach
distribution of benefits that flow from ecosystem
to large areas of their marine waters, including using
services, the use of adaptive management practices, the
marine spatial planning as a tool for implementing an
need to carry out management actions at multiple scales,
ecosystem approach and the development of sea use
and inter-sectoral cooperation. A number of other
plans. In 2004 UNEP's Regional Seas Programme agreed
established approaches, such as integrated water
to promote a common vision and integrated management,
resources management and integrated ocean and coastal
based on ecosystem approaches, of priorities and
concerns related to the coastal and marine environment
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and its resources.
Small Island States. Because of this international
By far, the most extensive applications of the ecosystem
guidance and subsequent investments of substantial
approach are the Large Marine Ecosystem (LME)
amounts of resources by international donors, ICM has
projects funded by the Global Environmental Facility
now been implemented in about 100 countries around the
(GEF) that aim to develop sub-regional cooperation
world. However, many of these initiatives have been
toward ecosystem-based management of marine
focused on estuaries and small areas of coasts instead of
resources. LMEs represent a pragmatic way to assist
national programs. Successful pilot projects should now
over 120 countries in operationalizing the ecosystem
be scaled up to national efforts on ICM.
approach within an area sufficiently large to include
Integrated oceans management, incorporating the 200-
trans-boundary considerations. The projects cover the
mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), entails the
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Mediterranean, the Black
development of new concepts, procedures and
Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Patagonian Shelf, the Benguela
structures, and as such, nations could benefit from
Current, the Guinea Current, Pacific small island
working with one and other to share and draw lessons
developing states, the Yellow Sea, and the South China
and best practices. As they embark on national ocean
Sea/Gulf of Thailand. Projects are under preparation for
policy formulation, many nations, in particular small
the Canary Current, the Caribbean, Aghulas and Somali
island developing states (SIDS), will need assistance in
Currents, Bay of Bengal, the Humboldt Current, and the
mapping and delimitation of their EEZs, and
Gulf of Mexico.
development of new institutions and procedures. A
recent analysis of national actions taken towards the
Despite contemporary definitions of ecosystem
Barbados Programme of Action (Loper et al. 2005)
management that include humans (and which recognize
indicates that integrated coastal management programs
that ecosystem management is actually the management
have been established only in a few SIDS countries in
of human activities that affect ecosystems and not the
the last decade, thus making this area a top need for the
management of ecosystems or their natural components),
next phase. At The Ocean Policy Summit held in Lisbon,
many projects that take an ecosystem approach do not
Portugal, October 10-14, 2005, about 40 countries
take humans into account. One example of an exception
reported on their efforts to develop integrated ocean
is a World Bank project in Tanzania and Zanzibar
policies to deal with multiple use conflicts among uses,
(Marine and Coastal Environmental Management Project
users and management agencies, degradation of marine
(MACEMP) or "Blueprint 2050") that tackled the problem
resources, and missed opportunities for economic
of ecological protection, marine protected area network
development. These different national policies are
design (protection of 10% of its seas by 2012 and 20%
remarkably congruent in terms of overall principles and
by 2025), while at the same time alleviating poverty and
most recognize the need for transparency, public and
ensuring financial sustainability for the project.
stakeholder involvement, incentives for cooperative
Other gaps in implementing ecosystem-based
action, and a national ocean office with clearly
management are the lack of monitoring data for key
articulated responsibilities. The GEF is also supporting
ecological and socio-economic indicators at ecosystem
initial development of regional ocean policies focusing
scales, including lack of baseline data. Only a few large
on shared transboundary resources in 15 Large Marine
marine ecosystems have systematic, long-term data
Ecosystems (LMEs).
about status and trends of natural and social systems.
Regional organizations, usch as UNEPs Regional Seas
With regard to coastal communities, there are no periodic
Programme, have a very useful role to play in assisting
assessments of socio-economic conditions, making it
states in developing national policies for their oceans.
impossible to measure progress on MDG goals of
Significant work along these lines is already taking place
alleviating poverty in the context of coastal areas.
in the Pacific Islands region, the East Asia region
Integrated coastal and ocean management (ICM) has
(through Partnership in Environmental Management for
been the recommended framework for dealing with
the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and with GEF funding),
coastal issues under the UN Conference on Environment
the Asia Pacific Region (through APEC), and through the
and Development (1992), including Agenda 21, the Rio
European Union. With over 30 years of experience,
Declaration of Principles, the Climate Change
UNEP's Regional Seas Programme and its partners
Convention, the Biodiversity Convention, the Global
encompass 18 marine regions and include participation
Programme of Action on the Protection of the Marine
by over 140 coastal states and territories. Fourteen
Environment from Land-Based Activities, and the
regional conventions have been signed and over 20
Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of
protocols addressing oil spill response, pollution from
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ocean dumping, and pollution from land-based sources
have been ratified. While initially focused on offshore
In addition, no international organization is responsible
issues, over the past 20 years, the Regional Seas
for tracking progress of ICM planning and
Programme has increasingly worked on coastal
implementation activities, and therefore monitoring and
management and coastal governance. Most recently,
evaluation progress is carried out on an ad hoc basis.
the Mediterranean Regional Seas Programme has drafted
International coordination is one of the major difficulties
a protocol on integrated coastal management. An
confronted in the implementation of action plans for
interesting and productive development has been a
integrated management of large marine ecosystem or
recent partnership between the Regional Seas
coastal and marine areas due to the typical lack of
Programme and Large Marine Ecosystem projects
existing agency(s) with the mandates or function to
funded by the GEF to bring a more focused ecosystem-
coordinate coastal and ocean management issues.
based approach to the Regional Seas Programmes.
Although some countries have made progress in
achieving inter-ministerial or interagency arrangements
Conclusions
at the national level, the efficiency, effectiveness, and
Both ecosystem management and integrated coastal and
benefits of such institutional arrangements have yet to
ocean management adopt a holistic, integrated approach
be fully demonstrated.
covering both the environmental and socio-economic
While there are relatively few successful case studies in
dimensions, and are basically similar; however, the scale
integrated coastal management that stand the test of
of operation and level of management intervention
time (e.g. more that a decade of operation), sufficient
might vary with respect to geographical scale. There
experience and lessons have been acquired to allow the
has been a marked increase in the application of the
application of the driving forces of integrated
concept of ecosystem-based management and
management for addressing use conflicts, environmental
integrated coastal and ocean management in addressing
quality degradation, habitat damage, coastal erosion,
cross-cutting environmental and sustainable
adaptation to climate change, and many other
development issues worldwide. Financial support from
environmental threats, thus enabling local and regional
GEF and multilateral and bilateral institutions has
authorities in achieving environmental sustainability
contributed to the increased efforts in applying this
and the goal of sustainable development.
concept and approach at subnational, national and
regional levels. To date though, most efforts tend to be
With increase use conflicts in coastal and marine areas,
at the level of studies and projects, focusing on
severity of pollution, and heightened threats of
planning and exploratory stages ­ in particular those
dwindling marine resources, more countries will be
related to LME and integrated coastal management at
looking to the application of integrated management
local level ­ with few of projects moving to actual
models for solutions. It is an opportune time to
implementation.
intensify international efforts in the development of
working models and good practices in integrated coastal
A promising development is the application of terrestrial
and ocean management. In addition, interagency/ inter-
land use planning techniques to marine areas, e.g. sea
ministerial coordination is a major obstacle that requires
use planning and zoning; new efforts to develop marine
strong political will and appropriate incentives to
spatial plans (sea use plans) and marine zoning in the
develop the willingness among agencies or ministries to
North Sea (Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany), the
work together.
Irish Sea (UK), and Xiamen (China) are all prototypes
that integrate coastal and ocean management.
The Strategic Action Programmes of Large Marine
The difficult job of measuring progress on implementing
Ecosystems, as well as those at the local level, provide
the WSSD and Millennium Development Goals related
useful management frameworks and processes for
to ecosystem management and integrated coastal and
intergovernmental, interagency and cross sector
ocean management is even more challenging because no
partnerships and cooperation at the regional, national
one institution is responsible for tracking developments
and sub-national levels. They also provide a useful
in these areas. While there are now more than 700 ICM
platform for developing strategic partnerships among
initiatives in more than 90 nations around the world
various multilateral and bilateral financial institutions, as
(Sorenson 2002), there are no standardized evaluation
well as donor communities in mobilizing the needed
criteria for measuring their performance in achieving the
financial resources for environmental improvement
MDG and WSSD goals, although there are limited
projects, capacity development and implementation of
efforts towards this direction.
international instruments.
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While a timetable exists for applying the ecosystem
national levels through the development of inter-
approach (2010), no similar target exists for promoting
ministerial or interagency coordination mechanisms to
integrated coastal and ocean management at the
enable the integrated planning and implementation of
national level. A timetable for ICM should be
policy and management interventions for addressing
established.
the increasing depletion of their coastal and ocean
resources; and
Finally, individual nations are increasingly asked by
· Increase capacity development in the areas of coastal
international organizations to develop and implement
and ocean governance to develop a critical mass of
programs that deal with coastal and ocean management,
coastal and ocean managers at local and national levels
land-based pollution, integrated water resources
to plan and manage their coastal resources.
management, fisheries, networks of marine protected
areas, adaptation to climate change, and so on ­ usually
Recommendations to the International and
with little or no additional financial support. Guidance
Donor communities:
on figuring out how to coordinate, integrate, or "nest"
· Develop more case studies to demonstrate the
these various international commitments and demands
effectiveness of an integrated management approach, in
should be developed. A more active role by the
particular in demonstrating the socio-economic benefits
Regional Seas Programme in coordinating these
of such approach in achieving environmental
requirements could be a way forward.
sustainability;
Recommendations to National Governments:
· Develop an appropriate and tested monitoring
programme to track the performance of integrated
· Adopt integrated coastal and ocean management/
coastal and ocean management/ LME programmes/
ecosystem-based management approach and
projects at the international level; and
frameworks to address use conflicts, transboundary
· Pool resources in developing strategic partnerships
issues, resource depletion and environmental
using ICM/ ecosystem management as the integrated
degradation with adequate consideration of the
framework and processes to provide a policy
socio-economic dimensions of the coastal
environment at local and national levels to enable the
communities and their active participation throughout
effective mobilization and utilization of the financial
the management process;
resources in achieving the goals of sustainable
· Address interagency conflicts at national and sub-
development.
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY
AND ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT
Alfred M. Duda, Senior Advisor, International Waters
Global Environment Facility
Introduction
Global Environment Facility (GEF) has supported
Interlinked crises of freshwater depletion, food insecurity,
countries to address Chapter 17 of Agenda 21. Many
pollution loading, and ecosystem decline stand in the
thematic actions GEF has supported on a pilot basis
way of poverty reduction and sustainable development.
have been incorporated into the WSSD Plan of
These crises are made worse by changes in climatic
Implementation (POI), and in early 2003 GEF adjusted
regimes and associated disasters from floods, droughts,
its strategic priorities to align with WSSD goals.
and storms that further marginalize the world's 2.7 billion
people living in poverty. The planet's oceans and their
The GEF is an international financial entity that unites
coastal interfaces are especially at risk with livelihoods,
its 176 member governments in partnership with its
food security, international trade, and relations among
three implementing agencies (UNDP, UNEP, and World
sovereign nations are all at stake. Increased
Bank), a number of executing agencies, NGOs and the
vulnerability of burgeoning coastal urban areas and the
private sector to address global environmental
expanding footprint of coastal resource depletion are
concerns while supporting national sustainable
becoming increasingly significant economic liabilities. It
development initiatives. While best known for serving
is precisely at the coast that unsustainable development
as the financial mechanism for global conventions
is creating most risk for stability, security, and economic
such as the conventions on biological diversity and
progress.
climate change, it also addresses concerns of oceans,
coasts, and SIDS in its international waters focal area.
Traditional sector-by-sector development strategies at
GEF realigned its priorities with the outcomes of WSSD
the coasts of both developed and developing nations
in 2002 and in the international waters areas has been
have exacerbated the situation. Traditional
aligned with Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 since Rio. Since
development strategies fail to recognize the importance
1992, GEF has approved 58 projects addressing
of maintaining natural ecosystems for their value as life
oceans, coasts and SIDS in international waters for
and economic support systems for our societies, and
$553 million GEF and $2.34 billion in total cost as well
the need to adapt to change is often ignored until
as 67 projects in its biodiversity focal area for $384
disaster strikes. When problems arise, specialists often
million from GEF and $1.43 billion in total cost for some
handle them thematically rather than in an integrated,
134 countries supporting marine ecosystem
place-based fashion that some might term "ecosystem-
interventions described in paragraphs 30-34 and 58 of
based approaches." Actions in economic sectors such
WSSD's POI.
as fisheries and environmental themes such as
pollution constitute ways in which our societies work.
Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs)
However, the crisis of oceans, coasts and small island
In 1995, the GEF Council included the concept of LMEs
developing states (SIDS) will just get worse unless
in its Operational Strategy as a vehicle to foster
place-based, ecosystem approaches to environmental
ecosystem-based approaches to management of
management are part of the desired transition to
coastal and marine resources and address the land-sea
sustainability.
interface. LMEs are regions of ocean space
encompassing coastal areas from river basins and
Global Environment Facility
estuaries to the seaward boundaries of continental
Global commitments agreed since 2000 at Doha,
shelves, enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and the
Monterrey, and Johannesburg represent the potential
outer margins of current systems. They are large
for a political turning point in reversing the degradation
regions on the order of 200,000 km2 or greater,
of coastal and marine ecosystems. International
characterized by distinct bathymetry, hydrography,
finance institutions, bilateral donor agencies,
productivity, and trophically dependent populations.
international organizations, and governments of the
LMEs are where land-based pollution occurs, habitat
North and South all must realign their policies and
losses are evident, ports are located and 93% of all
programs if progress is to be made. Since 1992, the
marine fisheries are harvested.
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The GEF uses LMEs as units for facilitating integration
(MDGs) and WSSD targets. Adopting such science-
across sectors, developing adaptive management
driven, ecosystem-based approaches to managing
frameworks with site-specific targets, and providing
human activities involving coastal/marine systems
tools for engaging stakeholders. This allows sound
takes time, capacity, and money. It must also be
science to inform policy-making and provides a
integrated with poverty reduction and climate change
practical approach to build trust and confidence among
adaptation efforts.
governments as well as integrated approaches across
sectors. Without place-based participative processes
Through the GEF, countries are cooperating in
engaging governments and stakeholders in
establishing adaptive, joint management institutional
understanding what is needed for integrated
structures with their own LME and ICM-specific
management and building capacity to implement, marine
ecosystem targets to track on-the-ground progress
science has often remained confined to the science
related to the WSSD goals. The broad WSSD targets
community or has not been embraced in policy-making.
are important to achieve, but more customized,
With GEF assistance, 121 different nations are
focused targets adopted by GEF projects may be
cooperating to improve place-based management for 12
useful to stimulate action. The GEF is bringing the
LMEs, with projects for another 4 LMEs under
North and South together around their shared LMEs
preparation. GEF projects illustrate interventions at
to jointly adopt reforms and undertake pilot
different scales as part of its ecosystem-based
investments through a new modality known as a GEF
approach to address World Summit on Sustainable
Strategic Partnership. This is a tool for achieving
Development (WSSD) targets.
coherence in development assistance funding.
Currently, the GEF has approved 3 of these
Developing Partnerships for Actions at
partnerships: (a) 16 basins countries of the Danube/
Different Scales
Black Sea LME, (b) land-based pollution reduction for
For the GEF, LMEs represent a pragmatic way to assist
the 5 LMEs of East Asia, (c) sustainable fisheries for
countries in getting started in operationalizing the
the 5 LMEs of Sub-Saharan Africa. A fourth for the
"ecosystem approach" with an area sufficiently large to
Mediterranean Sea LME is under final preparation.
include transboundary considerations. GEF also
These Strategic Partnerships are based on country-
utilizes support at other appropriate geographic scales
driven action programs aimed at particular targets. It
ranging from integrated coastal management (ICM) for
has been the GEF position since the Johannesburg
individual municipalities to support in its biodiversity
Summit that long-term, ecosystem-based partnerships
focal area at the specific reef or coastal ecosystem scale
among rich and poor nations sharing benefits from
for protected areas or community-based sustainable
particular land/sea spaces are necessary to meet
use. Sector-specific demonstrations with fisheries,
sustainable development goals.
pollution reduction, and ship contaminants complement
Our planet's fragile oceans and coasts are too
this placed-based approach. Scaling between the LMEs
economically and socially valuable to allow resource
and ICM or individual biodiversity sites determines
depletion to continue and threats to sustainability to
which GEF focal area is appropriate so that both
rise. Many coastal communities and nations are
transboundary resources as well as globally significant
simply living on borrowed time before the $60 billion
biological diversity are addressed.
dollar annual international trade in fisheries collapses,
We need to develop long-term, place-based
depleted groundwater supplies for coastal cities run
partnerships for enacting reforms among countries of
dry, changing climate swamps coastal communities,
the South and the North that use particular areas of sea
and burgeoning coastal urban populations overwhelm
space and adjacent basins. Without this integrated
their degraded and polluted natural resource base.
approach working at several scales of action, there is
Action is needed yesterday, not tomorrow.
little chance to meet Millennium Development Goals
10

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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: POVERTY REDUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS: WHY IS SO LITTLE PROGRESS
BEING MADE?
Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute at Columbia University and
Director, UN Millennium Project and Special Advisor to
the UN Secretary-General on the Millennium Development Goals
Dr. Jeffrey Sachs is the Director of the Earth Institute at
as someone very much engaged day-to-day in watching
Columbia University and serves as the Director of the
national policy making, the environmental component of
UN Millennium Project and Special Advisor to UN
the fight against poverty is probably the most neglected
Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the Millennium
of all of the aspects of the Millennium Development
Development Goals. In 2004 and 2005 he was named
Goals. This has many reasons, but even the basic
among the 100 most influential leaders in the world by
structure of governance in poor countries leaves the
Time Magazine, and is the 2005 recipient of the Sargent
environment minister far out of the inner circle of these
Shriver Award for Equal Justice. His recent book, The
concerns. The inner circle of concerns center on the
End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time,
budget and go out to some core ministries, with the
addresses issues of divergent global economic
environment minister typically on the outskirts of power.
conditions which have resulted in debilitating poverty
This means that, in the core documentation of poverty
in many parts of the world and seeks to encourage
reduction strategies, including those that the IMF and
sustainability despite these conditions.
the World Bank are so engaged in - the poverty
reduction strategy papers (PRSPs), the environment is
Dr. Sachs gave the special presentation on reducing
almost inevitably a deeply neglected factor that
poverty and environmental sustainability to the Third
sometimes does not appear at all. This is in the context
Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands live
of massive coastal erosion, destruction of mangrove
by video link.
areas, destruction of corals, over fishing, toxics, you
International goals should be stated and have actual
name it ­ these issues often do not even appear in
follow through, implementation, and achievement, which
national policies to a very large extent. In our reviews
certainly applies to the Millennium Development Goals,
and our continuing work - I just got back from a six
as it does to almost every environmental objective that
country tour in Africa- this remains the case. We are not
we have for the planet. We are having a very hard time
succeeding in integrating environmental thinking into
following through on our very nice words. This is
national development strategies.
certainly the case across the board in environmental
matters, but it is also certainly the case across the board
There are at least four factors that we should keep in
in poverty reduction issues. If you put those two pieces
mind. First is the syndrome of the poorest of the poor,
together, the environment and poverty, which are so
of which I want everyone to be very conscious. The
inextricably linked with causation running in both
poorest of the poor comprise at least one billion people
directions from poverty to environmental degradation
on the planet. Those that are way off track in achieving
and environmental difficulties and an increase in poverty,
the Millennium Development Goals are literally
there's a tremendous amount of neglect and an inability
struggling for survival every day. While they depend
to move forward on promises that have been made.
on the environment, they are pretty much systematically
mining the environment. They are not building
Among the Millennium Development Goals themselves,
environmental capital, but depleting it as a desperate
goal number seven is environmental sustainability. It
part of staying alive. I've just been in rural areas, as I
was recognized by the adopters of the Millennium
mentioned, in six countries- Kenya, Malawi, Ghana,
Development Goals, in September 2000, that there could
Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal- and everywhere, the
not be a fight against poverty without a fight for
environmental degradation is preceding deforestation in
environmental sustainability. As a practical matter, and
coastal areas. In Senegal, where I was a couple of days
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ago, a tremendous population increase is putting great
these factors are not included in poverty reduction
pressure on coastal resources, and the communities do
strategies is that the scientific base to say `here's what's
not have the wherewithal to save for environmental
happening in this area of your country,' to understand
conservation. Soils are being depleted of nutrients,
how climate change, demographic pressures, and
landscapes are being degraded, forests are being cut
economic pressures are interacting to produce these
down, fisheries are being depleted, and, even when it's
outcomes, simply does not exist right now in a concerted
understood that vital resources such as Lake Victoria, on
and consistent way at the national level. Most of these
which hundreds of millions of people depend for their
governments do not have science advisory councils,
nutrition, for their livelihoods, for their long-term well-
much less ecological advisory units that can actually
being, there's very little ability to make investments in
help them in these areas. Creating on-going scientific
these poorest countries. That is item number one that I
networks on these issues that scale down to country
would stress; the iron law of extreme poverty is
level in low-income settings would be extremely useful
environmental mining simply to survive. Without more
as well. In other words, getting ecosystem assessments
help for the poorest of the poor, we will not turn the
not only at the global scale that tell us all of the fisheries
corner on environmental degradation. This is not only a
disasters, but right down to the conditions in coastal
matter of their awareness; it is a matter of the brutal
Senegal or coastal Ghana or coastal Kenya so that these
realities of extreme resource deprivation.
are regularly being monitored and reviewed is crucial.
We need a regular cycle of global scale ecosystem
Second, of course, are vested interests. Wherever one
assessments, but ones that scale down to national level
finds poor country settings, areas of natural resource
quite systematically. It's an expensive proposition, but I
wealth, including coastal or fisheries wealth, powerful
can't think of a better investment in applied science than
interests definitely out compete long-term sustainability
this one, and, as far as I can see it, also is not presently
interests. This is true of fisheries and the arrangements
applied.
made between African countries and powerful fisheries
countries. There is a very big problem of the ability to
I've just written a book about the end of poverty, not
put the long-term sustainable agenda in front of very
about the expansion of poverty, because, I believe, we
powerful short-term financial claims; and we're not
have very powerful tools to make a change. I'm not
succeeding in that area either.
meaning to give a short intervention of doom and gloom,
but it is to alert the ecological community that is
Third, global economic pressures are phenomenal and
represented in the room of the realities that exist. We are
they are not going away. The successful developing
not at all on track to get these considerations into
countries, the Asian countries that are achieving so much
national policy-making. It's just not happening, and it's
growth, are adding increasing environmental stress, in
a very serious problem. Governments do not know how
addition to the existing enormous environmental stresses
to do it, they can't face the vested interests, and they
coming from the consumption in very wealthy countries.
can't keep these problems in the forefront when the
Global forces are only conducive to even more
pressure of daily life and demographic pressures are so
environmental degradation, because we have not been
extreme. I've been, of course, trying to think of any
able to delimit conservation areas and protected areas,
ways that I can to put this into decision-making right
among others, that we have been discussing for so long,
now. One thing that Walt Reed and I have recently taken
but have yet to be implemented.
up is the idea of trying to build on the Millennium
The fourth point, in addition to extreme poverty, to the
Ecosystem Assessment and the Millennium Project
vested interests, and the powerful global drivers, is the
Report as two absolutely convergent visions to these
lack of scientific knowledge in the poorest countries - the
challenges. We have taken the idea of trying to build up
lack of mobilization of the best science to even
a Millennium Ecosystem Fund to help very poor
understand the ecosystem dynamics. Most of these
countries mobilize the expertise they need to address
countries are presently overwhelmed with the daily tasks
these issues within their national development
of governance, much less the tasks of achieving basic
strategies. They literally can't do this right now; and
economic development goals, much less the task of
they don't do it. Even if a few donors would come
understanding complex interactions of climate change,
forward and just build an adequate fund of some tens of
environmental pollution, economic drivers, changing
millions of dollars merely to provide the wherewithal to
nutrient load cycles, demographic dynamics, exotic
get this kind of analysis systematically into the forefront
species introduction, pathogens, and the whole host of
- in front of the finance minister who needs to
interconnected ecological phenomena that are impinging
understand it, in front of the IMF which needs to
on these countries. In short, one of the reasons why
understand it and absolutely has no idea about it,
12

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unfortunately, and into the World Bank's thinking. All of
powerful tools, such powerful interventions, whether it's
this could make a difference in getting a seat at the table
in food production or disease control or environmental
for these issues when budgets are allocated and when
management and environmental engineering, that
donor assistance is discussed. So that is issue number
problems that might appear insurmountable, in my view,
one in my view- we've got to get all of these
are actually quite addressable. We could get disease
environmental considerations into national development
burdens down sharply, we could preserve habitats that
strategies, year-by-year, systematically, and help these
are under tremendous stress, but it will not happen on its
countries.
own, market forces are certainly not going to do it, and
the poorest of the poor cannot do it by themselves.
On all of the Millennium Development Goals, we face the
There is just not a prayer in the world that they can do
fundamental challenge that there are a lot of nice words
this on their own. No matter how many lectures or
and pretty much all promises that need to be made have
speeches are given, they need resources both to do
been made. However, we are way off track on actually
analyses and rise above the mere survival level to a
doing what needs to be accomplished. It's just not
margin in which they can invest in the long-term future.
happening, and we're not able to turn these words into
substantive action, get the feedback, and get the follow
Transcribed by: Amanda Wenczel, Global Forum on
through. The reason I'm an optimist is that we have such
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands.
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
AFRICAN PERSPECTIVES ON LINKING NATIONAL AND REGIONAL EFFORTS
IN OCEAN AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Summary prepared by Bernice McLean,
Independent Consultant, South Africa
This summary outlines the main points emerging from
Coordinator, Coastal and Marine Secretariat, New
the informal discussions and dialogue sessions on
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD); Tim
Africa and Poverty Reduction as well as from
Bostock, Senior Fisheries Adviser, Policy Division,
presentations given in Panel 7 of the Third Global
Department for International Development (DFID),
Conference: Linking National and Regional Efforts in
UK; Carl Lundin, Head, Marine Programme, IUCN;
Ocean and Coastal Management: African Perspectives.
and Magnus Ngoile, National Environment
In Panel 7 African ministers were invited to address two
Management Council, Tanzania.
key goals:
Background
- Identify options and models for further development
The African continent has an extensive coastline of
of EEZ management in Sub-Saharan Africa through
some 40,000 km. Coastal and marine resources
ecosystem-based management approaches aimed at
contribute significantly to the economies of many
poverty reduction and enhanced social
countries mainly through fishing and tourism. For
development;
instance, the total marine fish exports from Africa in 1997
- Identify how synergy among LME projects, Regional
yielded US$445 million. These resources also provide
Seas programmes and the activities of national and
the basis of livelihoods for poor coastal communities,
multinational/NGOs can be achieved to reduce
and while Africa is rich in natural resources, coastal
poverty, achieve environmental targets in Sub-
African nations remain amongst the poorest in the
Saharan Africa.
world. In these countries where poverty is crippling,
many coastal populations are vulnerable to natural
The specific outcomes expected of the session were to
disasters such as floods and droughts and experience
identify steps to be taken to further develop capacity for
extended hunger and rampant disease. Poverty has
and actual programs in coastal and ocean management,
negative impacts on coastal and marine areas that
and to achieve synergy among existing regional and
contribute to coastal erosion, pollution, and degradation
national efforts in this area.
of resources through destructive practices, a lack of
appropriate infrastructure, weak institutional and
Panel 7 was chaired by Dr. Magnus Ngoile, National
governance capacity and vested interests in coastal and
Environment Management Council, Tanzania and
marine industries. These are some of the major
included presentations from: Prof. Albert Owusu-
challenges hindering the poorest of the poor from
Sarpong, Ambassador of Ghana to France; Honorable
breaking out of the cycle of poverty. Many ocean-
Dr. Aristides Ocante da Silva, Minister of Natural
related problems experienced by African nations
Resources, Guinea-Bissau; Honorable Joseph Konzolo
translate into regional problems but still require action at
Munyao, M.P., Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries
the national level.
Development, Kenya; Honorable Mrs. Rejoice
Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs
Attention to marine and coastal issues has increased
and Tourism, South Africa; H.E. Victor Manuel Borges,
considerably since the early 1990s. A variety of different
Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Mozambique; Honorable
regional platforms are being used to address ocean and
Mr. Thierno Lo, Minister of Environment and Natural
coastal-related issues in the African subregion. The two
Protection, Senegal; Ms. Rahma Mshangama, Principal
Regional Seas Conventions serve to maintain efforts of
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources
ocean and coastal governance, namely the Nairobi
Environment and Cooperatives, Zanzibar, Tanzania;
Convention for the Protection, Management and
and Mr. Rolph Payet, Principal Secretary, Ministry of
Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of
Environment and Natural Resources, Seychelles and
the Eastern African Region and the Abidjan Convention
Interim Coordinator, Regional Coordinating Unit for
for Co-operation in the Protection and Development of
Eastern African Action Plan. The related dialogue
the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and
sessions were chaired by: Ali Mohammed, Regional
Central African Region and Related Protocols. These
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conventions received a major boost prior to and
Congo, and Angola).
immediately following the WSSD through the efforts of
· Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem
the African Process for the Protection and Development
(Namibia, Angola and South Africa).
of the Marine and Coastal Environment. They remain
· Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem
however, primarily environmental agreements and are
(Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau,
administered separately from other sectors such as
the Canary Islands (Spain), Gambia, Cape Verde
fisheries, mineral exploitation and transport. Discussions
and Western Sahara - under preparation).
continue to be fragmented and no mechanism exists to
· Agulhas Current (South Africa, Mozambique,
bring all the sectors together.
Madagascar, the Comoros Islands, the Seychelles
Relation to the WSSD/MDG Goals
and Mauritius - under preparation) and Somali
Current (Yemen, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania -
The MDG goals relating to poverty reduction and
under preparation) Large Marine Ecosystems.
environmental sustainability underpin all issues
- West African countries looking at the effects of
experienced by African coastal countries. The
climate variability on shoreline - Mauritania, Gambia,
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) of the
Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Senegal (UNDEP/GEF/
WSSD proposes a number of actions for Africa in section
UNESCO-IOC).
VIII: Sustainable development for Africa. Specific
- Impacts of Land-based pollution in the Western
reference is made to marine and coastal issues, the JPOI
Indian Ocean (WIOLAB) ­ Somalia, Kenya,
suggests the development of "...projects, programmes
Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Comoros,
and partnerships with relevant stakeholders and mobilize
Madagascar, Mauritius, France (La Reunion),
resources for the effective implementation of the outcome
Seychelles (Supported by Norway, GPA, GEF and
of the African Process for the Protection and
Nairobi Convention parties).
Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment"
- Western Indian Ocean Marine Highway
(JPOI Paragraph 56(i)).
Development and Coastal Contamination Prevention

Progress on the issues
Project - Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius,
There is a growing realisation of the opportunities
Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania
presented by good governance of oceans and coastal
(GEF, IDA, EC, DANIDA).
areas. Some countries are moving forward by
- Sustainable coastal tourism project - Senegal,
strengthening institutions that govern these areas and
Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana; Kenya, Tanzania
resources. For example, Kenya established the Ministry
Mozambique, Seychelles.
of Fisheries, Mozambique is currently developing a legal
- Sub-regional programme to combat coastal erosion
and institutional framework and Tanzania has developed
of the West African Economic and Monetary Union
a comprehensive and integrated Marine and Coastal
- Senegal, Benin, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea
Environmental Management project aimed at poverty
Bissau, Ghana, Gambia.
reduction and sustained growth. Increased regional
- Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association
efforts have also proven useful in increasing country
(WIOMSA) - Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania,
ownership, promoting compliance, strengthening
Mozambique, South Africa, Comoros, Madagascar,
alliances and addressing emerging issues such as the
Seychelles, Mauritius, France (La Reunion).
cooperative fisheries observation, monitoring, control
- Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean
and surveillance efforts among South Africa,
(CORDIO) ­ Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique,
Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, and Tanzania.
Madagascar, Seychelles, Reunion, Comoros,
Mauritius, Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka (Sida, FRN
Projects of various scales are under preparation or recent
(The Swedish Council for Planning and Co-
implementation. Selected initiatives include:
ordination of Research), MISTRA (Foundation for
Strategic Environmental Research), WWF-
Regional Programs
Sweden, World Bank through Dutch Trust Funds,
- Large Marine Ecosystem projects (funded by the
and the Government of Finland).
Global Environment Facility):
- East African Marine Ecoregion (EAME) ­ Somalia,
· Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (Guinea-
Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa
Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte
(Supported by WWF).
d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon,
- SADC MCS - South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia,
Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon,
Angola, and Tanzania.
Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- Community of the Portuguese Speaking Countries
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Strategy for the Seas of CPLP (under development).
with respect to fisheries access agreements and other
- Mozambique Transboundary networks of marine
extractive industries to encourage equitable, transparent
protected areas in East Africa (TRANSMAP) ­
and sustainable industries.
Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa (EU).
More consideration is needed of existing marine and
National Efforts
coastal governance efforts such as science and
Within country efforts, while numerous, are largely
conservation and investigation of how these can
project-based and of limited time frames and budgets.
contribute more meaningfully to poverty reduction at
Donor involvement in coastal and marine research and
the local level. For instance, much emphasis has been
management in Africa has a relatively long history yet
placed on the establishment of marine protected areas
few of these efforts have resulted in sustained
but a balanced approach is needed that takes into
institutional strengthening. Some countries have
consideration equity, cultural and socio-economic
developed (Tanzania and South Africa) or are developing
issues. Similarly, more attention should be given to how
(Mozambique and Namibia) national policies and
to translate the riches from extractive industries to
regulatory frameworks for coastal and ocean governance.
poverty reduction and livelihood security at the local
Recent donor-supported efforts at the national level, in
level. Another challenge is the linking of national and
particular the Tanzania Marine and Coastal
regional efforts to reveal governance gaps at the
Environmental Management Project (MACEMP) is
national level. In this respect, linking science to policy is
attempting to adopt a more integrated approach that
critical and a large challenge remains in incorporating
addresses a multitude of issues to strengthen
the findings from science into effective governance at
governance of a multitude of marine-related sectors such
all levels. It would help to identify key areas in need of
as fisheries, coastal management, livelihood generation
attention in the continent and how these can be
and poverty reduction, and private sector involvement.
addressed within existing long-term frameworks such as
NEPAD. There is also a need to frame simple messages
Outstanding Questions/ Challenges
as to what activities are priorities to be funded along
The major challenges in ocean and coastal management
with realistic focal-point implementers for practicality
in Africa relate to governance, capacity building and
and accountability.
communication. While many countries are attempting
ocean and coastal governance initiatives, efforts are still
A lack of coordination among donors and between
insufficient or uncoordinated. Existing scientific efforts
donors and governments continues to hamper efforts.
and assessment processes have tended to be very
Interventions implemented in isolation result not only in
sectoral in nature and have failed to bring about effective
duplication of efforts but also reduce opportunities for
change. A concerted effort at the local level for poverty
success and replication and scaling up of efforts.
reduction is essential. In addition, more attention needs
Alternative approaches to assistance could be
to be paid to the targeted strengthening of existing
investigated such as basket funding or budget support.
capacities for all aspects of ocean and coastal
There is also a need to investigate innovative means of
governance. There is a need to realize that for Africa the
acquiring large-scale investments to deal with coastal
issue is not only of capacity development, but also it is
initiatives in the long-term rather than relying on small-
capacity realization, nurturing of champions, capacity
scale time-bound project support from development
retention and developing leadership from the younger
partners. One major challenge to the attainment of the
generations.
Millennium Development Goals is the enormous debt
burden faced by individual countries in Africa, for
The production, dissemination and use of information for
example, over 30% of annual GDP in Kenya is allocated
the empowerment of people to engage the authorities and
to debt repayment.
decision-makers plays a big role in creating the demand
for good governance and reducing the impact of vested
Strengthening African institutions for ocean
interests. Disclosure of information to civil society on
governance is essential. Meaningful participation at
issues related to resource exploitation (such as fisheries
large international fora (such as the Global Conferences
access agreements, mineral extraction permits, property
on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands) helps to create and
leases for tourism purposes, etc.) and the benefits thereof
maintain dynamism for oceans at the national and
is thus very important. Another aspect of information
regional level. To maximize this opportunity, there is a
that is needed is related to defining and articulating
need to develop mechanisms at the national level to
priorities appropriately for all levels of decision-making.
prepare for meaningful participation at the fora and
Regional cooperation is needed on a much larger scale
follow-up at the national level subsequent to the
meetings.
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Next Steps
· Support effective EEZ management and more equitable
· Targeted and sustained efforts to address the issues
and locally beneficial access agreements for fisheries
and take advantage of opportunities;
and oil and gas.
· Promote the NEPAD programme and the efforts of the
African Union which bring regional coordination and
Specific suggestions to the Global Forum for assistance
ensure that environmental ministers come together;
in strengthening ocean governance in Africa and
· Take notice of the recommendations of the Mauritius
contributing to poverty reduction include:
Strategy;
1. Support the development of a strategy for
· Promote Corporate social responsibility through
highlighting the values and opportunities offered
partnerships:
by oceans and coasts to promote growth and
o Equitable benefit sharing,
alleviate poverty in Africa;
o Towards environmental governance (minimizing
2. Support monitoring and information sharing for
impacts, innovations for efficiency),
existing projects;
o Promote emphasis on the social agenda in all ocean
3. Support participation in ocean-related gatherings
programs;
by African journalists and communicators to
· Promote and facilitate harmonization of programs and
develop expertise to support ocean governance
processes;
such as through participation at the Second
· Look beyond national political boundaries to include
Intergovernmental Review of the Global Program of
regional and international perspectives to adequately
Action for the Protection of the Marine
address ocean-related issues and develop effective and
Environment from Land-based Activities (IGR-2) in
sustainable solutions;
Beijing in 2006, and the Cape Town meeting in 2007;
· Promote a culture of transparency and disclosure
4. Help to mobilize commitment of donors, private
among ocean users: industry, governments,
sector and national governments to disclose access
development partners and civil society;
agreements and concessions for oil and gas
· Request assistance in strengthening governance such
development, fisheries, and to develop more
as strengthening fisheries monitoring, control, and
equitable and locally beneficial access agreements.
surveillance (MCS) and for conflict management;
Disclosure should not end with the national
· Apply integrated and comprehensive models such as
government but should involve engagement of civil
Tanzania's MACEMP in other countries and regions;
society;
· Develop a framework for results of the many projects
5. Provide support to revisit components in existing
and initiatives to see how they are addressing the
programs for communication. Support project
priorities and to incorporate the outcomes of the
managers to come together to discuss the capacity
projects into governance;
building and communication components of
· Build partnerships within the region and use local
projects;
expertise;
6. Strengthen African Universities and technical
· Facilitate assistance with EEZ and continental shelf
institutions to create a critical mass of ocean and
boundary delineation as well as for effective MCS;
coastal management professionals; and
· Develop strategies to prepare for and address natural
7. Promote advocacy for debt relief ­ linking ocean
disasters such as drought, coastal storms, and
governance, debt burden, poverty and innovative
flooding;
mechanisms for debt relief.
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
PROGRESS ON FISHERIES-RELATED GOALS
Summary prepared by Lori Ridgeway, Director-General, International Coordination and Policy
Analysis, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada and Serge Garcia, Director, Fishery
Resources Division, Fisheries Department, Food and Agriculture Organization
This summary provides an overview of the discussions
restoration of stocks to their maximum sustainable yield is
during the informal dialogue session on progress
viewed as something to strive towards, but not
towards implementation of fisheries related goals from
necessarily something that is going to be achievable
the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. The
everywhere given the reality of what needs to be put in
discussion followed the outline of the draft document
place in order to get there. It is important to think about
provided to conference participants -- Information on
what the historical baselines are, the present situation, the
Progress Achieved in the Implementation of World
countries capacity and the costs of transition in order to
Summit on Sustainable Development Targets and
adopt realistic fisheries goals. There is a need for
Millennium Development Goals on Oceans, Coasts, and
indicators in order to be able to measure progress towards
Small Island Developing States1 -- quite closely in
the goals, but there are already a large number of efforts to
framing the dialogue. The draft document was focused
define indicators underway in organizations such as the
particularly on the following goals laid out in the JPOI:
CBD, UNESCO, as well as under the Millennium
Development Goals. It was noted that an effort to bring
· Implement the FAO International Plan of Action to
together some of this work would be particularly helpful.
Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated Fishing (IUU) by 2004.
Implementation Responsibility
· Implement the FAO International Plan of Action for
While it is important to address fishing issues on the high
the Management of Fishing Capacity by 2005.
seas, it must also be noted that 90% of the production
· Maintain or restore depleted fish stocks to levels that
originates from within Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)
can produce their maximum sustainable yield on an
and therefore that an important part of the overfishing
urgent basis and where possible no later than 2015.
problem happens under the direct control and
· Eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal,
responsibility of national governments. Outside of EEZs,
unreported and unregulated fishing and to
management has to occur through cooperation and
overcapacity.
Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).
Well managed domestic fisheries are extremely important
The discussion began by noting that while these WSSD
because poor national fisheries management leads to
goals relate specifically to fisheries issues, there are
spillovers and to pressures on the high seas, which can
others goals in the Plan of Implementation with indirect
undermine international cooperation.
but significant implications for fisheries. These include
goals related to biodiversity and protected areas as well
National governments are responsible for good national
as the ecosystem approach. The session also recognized
fisheries and are also responsible for fisheries
that the fisheries goals incorporate a somewhat odd
management through the RFMOs. National governments
collection of goals ranging from implementing specific
are also accountable for some of the international targets
instruments, achieving an optimal state of resources and
such as implementing the hard law and soft law
eliminating a wrong incentive.
frameworks. The national level is also where the
responsibility to cooperate lies. It is important to be aware
The session recognized that, only three years after the
that while RFMOs are often talked about as independent
goals have been adopted, the feeling in the international
entities, they are really just the sum of the will of member
community is that there are big gaps in implementation.
states, which again comes down to national action.
The questions, however, are: (i) are we looking at a real
International Plans of Action (IPOAs) are tools to help
lack of progress; (ii) did the POI reflect unrealistic
organize governments around the issues, and through
expectations in relation to goals that are very difficult to
these efforts, FAO is responsible for raising awareness
achieve? The goals are not very specific and for example,
and creating a good environment for implementation.
they do not indicate which degree of implementation of
Currently flag states are really the only point of
the instruments is required or what proportion of world
management, and they must be doing much more as the
stocks should be rebuilt by 2015. The goal related to the
nations responsible for the behavior of their vessels.
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There is also a role for port states and market states in
management expenses are generally considered as "good
addressing the fisheries targets, but it must also be noted
subsidies."
that fisheries involve the most globally diverse markets
As of March 2006, 149 nations have ratified the
and are therefore not easily controllable.
Convention on the Law of the Sea and related
Progress Towards Implementation
Agreements. Eleven of these ratifications have occurred
In regards to whether or not progress is being made, it is
since the closing of the World Summit on Sustainable
important to note that while specific goals may not yet
Development.5 In addition, of the 57 signatories to the
have been met, there is a considerable amount of work
"Agreement for the implementation of the provisions of
and progress going on below the surface. It is essential
the Convention relating to the conservation and
that the international community recognizes, for example,
management of straddling fish stocks and highly
that the actions taken to move towards implementing a
migratory fish stocks" (UN Fish Stocks Agreement), 26
national plan of action are ultimately more important than
nations signed on following the World Summit on
the adoption of the document alone. Many of the goals
Sustainable Development.6 While many nations have
and targets in these plans are written in terms of delivery
signed and ratified these and other related international
of a paper product so it can be difficult to gauge the real
agreements, there is still a large gap and a need for more
picture of all that is occurring.
countries to sign, ratify, and implement these
agreements.
There is no question that we still think there is a great
deal to do in terms of improving management,
The FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food
cooperation and oversight, but it is important to
and Agriculture has only started to address aquatic
recognize that many of these high level goals require
genetic resources. By examining the status and trends of
significant behind the scenes action and the alignment of
biodiversity and genetic resources in fisheries,
many factors. While there is no question that there are
aquaculture, and the deep sea, and how modern
large gaps, there is also the risk of being too pessimistic
biotechnology and socio-economic factors influence
if looking at too narrow a picture.
their use, the Commission will help identify key issues,
and policy considerations in order to develop a
As of March 2006, Australia, Canada, Chile and the
programme of work to assist countries and the
United States have submitted their National Plans of
international community deal with aquatic genetic
Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported
resources.
and Unregulated Fishing to FAO.2 In addition, the U.S.
has submitted its National Plan of Action for the
There is also some progress in national reform of
Management of Fishing Capacity.3 Although only four
fisheries management, especially with new market
states have logged the IUU plans with FAO and only one
measures, such as ecolabelling, that are being adopted
state has logged a capacity plan, there is much action
both in developed and developing countries. In
going on to build towards these national plans of action
addition, there is progress on reform of national
which must also be recognized. At the moment, according
legislation, for example, FAO has been working with 85
to FAO, national plans of action (NPOA-IUU) have been
developing countries on legislative reform. There has
formally developed in Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania,
also been a lot of momentum on the illegal, unregulated,
Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Ghana,
unreported (IUU) fishing issue, including research as
The Gambia and Oman has recently requested FAO
well as independent efforts such as the High Seas Task
assistance to develop its own.
Force a ministerially-led task force on IUU fishing on the
high seas. There has been a significant change in
The issue of subsidies is connected to that of
momentum with respect to political will to address IUU
overcapacity and IUU and remains hotly debated. A
fishing, for example, through the 2005 FAO Ministerial
number of organizations are collaborating on it (e.g.
Meeting where the "2005 Rome Declaration on Illegal,
WTO, OECD, UNEP and FAO) and a number of regional
Unreported and Unregulated Fishing"7 was adopted
meetings have been held on the subject by ASEAN,
and the St. John's "Conference on the Governance of
CARICOM, and CPPS to exchange information on the
High Seas Fisheries and the UN Fish Agreement ­
respective programmes. At present, subsidies have been
Moving from Words to Action" which was attended by
identified and classified in categories, in terms of their
Ministers from 18 countries and the EU, and resulted in a
original intent but no general agreement has emerged
ministerial declaration including commitments to 16
regarding their classification in relation to their impact on
specific actions to improve the governance of high seas
fisheries.4 The main agreement perhaps is that fishery
fisheries by the ministers in attendance.8
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RFMO reform continues to be an issue, but there has
management capacity and also capacity building in order
been some progress. In the recent months there have
to enable cooperation.
been two major reform efforts launched--one in the
North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) and
It must also be noted that corruption is a significant
another one in the International Commission for the
problem that needs to be addressed in order to have
Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT).
effective fisheries management. This is particularly
relevant to problems of organized corruption to launder
There is also work going on related to fishing subsidies,
illegal catch, but also relates to the issue of flags of
for example, during the recent WTO negotiations there
convenience and flags of non-compliance.
was an agreement to continue working to make progress
in the area of fisheries subsidies. There has also been
Several obstacles that the international community can
recognition that fisheries subsidies is a very difficult
help remove or deal with include:
topic to address, for example, you cannot look at
· Unreliable, incomplete or poor quality data;
subsidies just in terms of total payments, because in a
· Insufficient capacity development (for management,
common property resource such as fisheries, a lot of the
cooperation, etc);
payments are going to management. Recent OECD work
· Inadequate legislation (such as loopholes, weak
shows that two thirds of what is spent in transfers is
laws, and corruption);
actually going to management.
· Insufficient political will;
· Lack of transparency;
When looking at the range of activities underway such
· Vested interests of different players;
as regional efforts, GEF projects, market-based measures,
· Lack of international cooperation;
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, and
· Lack of effective flag state control, particularly in the
High Seas Task Force efforts, it becomes clear that there
high seas but not only there;
is a whole set of activities that are focused on
· Continued use of flags of convenience
accelerating progress on the WSSD goals.
(consideration of ports of convenience as well).
Obstacles Faced
Next Steps
While there has been progress, there are also a variety of
There is much to be done to continue the momentum
obstacles faced in implementing fisheries-related goals
towards improving fisheries management and reaching
and targets. Obstacles faced and policy areas of debate
the international goals and targets that have been set.
include cooperation and political will, especially for
These steps include:
national efforts. There are also technical obstacles, such
· Emphasis on international cooperation for
as lack of scientific information, and especially a lack of
transboundary and high seas stocks;
aggregated information. In particular, there is a lack of
· More regular and rigorous discussion of progress
knowledge of some of the interrelationships between
on implementation (e.g. with indicators);
fishery species and the underlying natural system as well
· Better use of the meetings of the parties (to monitor
as between these and the human system including its
progress and take action);
private sector and governance components.
· Encouragement of donors to help developing
There is also still weak national management,
countries (example of ProFish and of the FAO
notwithstanding the improvements noted. As long as
FishCode umbrella programme);
weak national management continues, overdependence
· Consideration of ex-ante impact assessment before
on the resources and overcapacity will continue to occur.
development of new fisheries (concern was noted
Relating to efforts to reduce overcapacity, the issue of
that there was more capacity for assessment in the
the cost of transition away from fishing must also be
1980s than there is today, particularly in the
addressed. The cost of transition from irresponsibly
developing world);
managed fisheries to responsibly managed fisheries no
· Encouragement for the adoption, ratification and
doubt means displacing fishermen. There is a real need
implementation of international agreements;
to discuss alternative livelihoods and management of the
· More systematic assistance and capacity building.
transition. There is also a real need for industry buy-in
There continues to be some disagreement regarding
and participation of fishermen in these processes. There
several issues. For example, while many people agree
is a need to further advance the participatory framework
that some form of RFMO reform is necessary, there is not
and consider ideas like co-management (for example in
agreement over what precise role they might play or how
Japan where quotas go to a whole community in some
they might relate to something broader as part of
cases). Capacity building is also key, both technical and
integrated solutions such as the idea of "regional ocean
20

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management organizations." There is agreement that
Renée Sauvé, Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
there is a need for oversight and accountability, but there
Hance Smith, Cardiff University
was not agreement on the mechanisms. Another issue
Geoff Tingley, Centre for Environment, Fisheries &
where there is still debate is the issue of protection of
Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
vulnerable areas against destructive practices. Most
Lindsey Williams, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
agree that protection of vulnerable areas from destructive
Islands
practices is important, but the mechanisms to do this
remain unresolved.
There is no doubt that progress has been mixed, there
Footnotes:
1 Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands. 2006.
have been some improvements and some set-backs, but it
Information on Progress Achieved in the Implementation of
is important to get the enabling framework in place before
World Summit on Sustainable Development Targets and
progress can be made. It is important to be realistic, but
Millennium Development Goals on Oceans, Coasts, and Small
it is also essential to acknowledge that things are
Island Developing States. Available: http://www.globaloceans.org.
2 International Institutions and Liaison Service (FAO-FIPL).
happening and progress is being made in some areas.
2006. International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and
Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. FI
Fisheries Dialogue Session Participants
Programme Websites. FAO - Rome. Updated Tue Mar 07
Tim Adams, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
12:22:14 CET 2006. Available via FIGIS from http://
Alfonso Ascencio, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the
www.fao.org/figis/servlet/
static?xml=ipoa_IUU.xml&dom=org&xp_nav=3.
United Nations
3 Development Planning Service (FAO-FIPP) 2006.
Richard Ballhourn, Foreign Affairs, Canada
International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing
Elizabethann English, NOAA Fisheries, United States
Capacity. FI Programme Websites. FAO - Rome. Updated Tue
Patricia Gallaugher, Center for Coastal Studies, Simon
Mar 07 12:22:16 CET 2006. Available via FIGIS from http://
www.fao.org/figis/servlet/
Fraser University, Canada
static?xml=ipoa_capacity.xml&dom=org&xp_nav=3.
Serge Garcia, Food and Agriculture Organization
4 Identifying the impact is the approach followed by FAO following
Matthew Gianni, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
the request of COFI (in March 2005) that FAO give consideration
Consultant
to undertaking studies and assessments to determine the impact of
subsidies on fishing capacity, illegal, unreported and unregulated
Ernesto Godelman, CeDePesca Argentina (Center for
(IUU) fishing and on fisheries management generally.
Development of Sustainable Fisheries)
5 United Nations. 2005. Chronological lists of ratifications of,
Barbara Hanchard, Forum Fisheries Agency
accessions and successions to the Convention and the related
Marea Hatziolos, World Bank
Agreements as at 20 September 2005. UN Division on Oceans
and Law of the Sea web site. Accessed: January 2006.
Paul Holthus, Marine Aquarium Council
6 United Nations. 2005. Chronological lists of ratifications of,
David Johnson, Southampton Solent University
accessions and successions to the Convention and the related
Konstantinos Kalamantis, European Bureau for
Agreements as at 20 September 2005. UN Division on Oceans
Conservation and Development (EBCD)
and Law of the Sea web site. Accessed: January 2006.
7 FAO. 2005. 2005 Rome Declaration on Illegal, Unreported
David Leary, Centre for Environmental Law, Macquarie
and Unregulated Fishing. Available: ftp://ftp.fao.org/fi/
University
DOCUMENT/ministerial/2005/iuu/declaration.pdf
Bernice McLean, Environmental Consultant, South Africa
8 Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada. 2005.
Carol Phua, WWF, European Policy Office
Conference on the Governance of High Seas Fisheries and the
United Nations Fish Agreement ­ Moving from Words to Action
Alfredo Picasso, Permanent Delegation of Peru to
Web site. Accessed January 2006. Available: http://www.dfo-
UNESCO
mpo.gc.ca/fgc-cgp/index_e.htm
Lori Ridgeway, Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
FRESHWATER TO OCEANS LINKAGES EMPHASIZED DURING
PARIS CONFERENCE
Summary Prepared by Kateryna Wowk
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
The Global Forum's Freshwater to Oceans Task Force,
for improved integrated management. It is well known
composed of experts in both watershed management and
that integrated management involves ecologic and
integrated coastal and ocean management from various
scientific components, but it has only recently become
organizations and regions, and co-chaired by Patricia
apparent that integrated management equally involves
Muñoz, National Polytechnique Institute, Mexico,
human, social, and political components.
former chair of the Consejo Consultivo del Agua of
Mexico, and Tom Laughlin, U.S. National Oceanic and
An effective IWRM strategy will include the following
Atmospheric Administration, organized a number of
principles in a scientific and political analysis:
events both to foster multistakeholder dialogues on
1. Involve all relevant stakeholders;
improving interlinkages between freshwater and oceans
2. Identify the most urgent issues (and their costs),
issues, and to assess progress on the Global Programme
and prioritize those issues;
of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
3. Secure political commitment;
from Land-based Activities (GPA)/World Summit on
4. Establish a common knowledge/information platform
Sustainable Development goals.
for all stakeholders;
At the Paris conference, a panel of experts presented
5. Facilitate knowledge/awareness raising to build
specific case studies which led to thoughtful dialogue
support;
from conference participants, including Al Duda,
6. Encourage some institutional development,
International Waters, Global Environment Facility
including financial resources.
(GEF); Margaret Catley- Carlson, Global Water
Note that in these principles for an effective strategy,
Partnership; Peter Bridgewater, Ramsar Convention;
water is not mentioned once. The greatest imperative in
Hon. Mr. Erik Llandikov, Vice- Minister, Ministry of
this process is to mobilize political support. Only then
Environmental Protection, Republic of Kazakhstan;
can freshwater and coastal agencies join together in an
Porfirio Alvarez-Torres, Ministry of Environment and
integrated strategy for the management of land,
Natural Resources, SEMARNAT, Mexico; Veerle
freshwater resources, coasts, and oceans.
Vandeweerd, Regional Seas Programme, United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), and Global
Linking Freshwater, Coasts, and Oceans:
Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine
Addressing Wetlands
Environment from Land-Based Activities, The Hague;
Ramsar is the oldest of the global environmental
Ivan Zavadsky, GEF Danube- Black Sea Basin Strategic
conventions, covering a wide range of wetlands ­ from
Partnership, and Shammy Puri, International
coral reefs to mountains to vast inland swamps. With 150
Hydrological Programme, UNESCO. Discussions
contracting parties, 1,558 wetlands have been identified
continued in multistakeholder dialogues on the
as sites of International Importance, of which more than
intergovernmental review of the GPA (see the GPA/IGR-2
a third are coastal wetlands. Convention actions are
section of the newsletter).
implemented according to three pillars: the wise use of
Integrated Water Resources Management
wetlands; wetlands of international importance; and
The panel convened to: review the linkage between
international cooperation. All emphasize catchment
freshwater, oceans, and coasts; identify opportunities to
management and integrated management across systems
advance the linkage between Integrated Water Resources
by using the ecosystem approach.
Management (IWRM) and coasts; identify new
No one agency, by itself, can implement the strategies of
opportunities for partnerships between freshwater and
integrated management. Synergy is needed across and
oceans organizations.
between existing structures. The ecosystem approach of
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) aids nations in
the Convention on Biological Diversity is a framework
improving their water resources management to provide
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for integrated management of land, water and biological
Environment and its Resources. The Framework
resources. It has the following key principles:
Convention includes pollution prevention, reduction and
control; protection, preservation and restoration of the
- Management objectives are a matter of societal choice.
marine environment; procedures to fulfill the obligations
- Management should be decentralized to the lowest
contained in the Framework Convention; and formation
level.
of the Organization for the Protection of the Sustainable
- Management must recognize that change is inevitable.
Management of the Caspian Environment and its
The ecosystem approach can help improve existing
Resources. In 2005, Kazakhstan became the fourth
management structures by integrating all relevant sectors
nation to sign the Convention, and after Azerbaijan
and disciplines, national and international. It can aid in
signs, the Convention will come into force.
identifying those cultural, technological and
Case Study: The Danube/Black Sea Region
environmental aspects that are inherent to specific
ecosystems, and allow for society to change the way it
The Danube-Black Sea Region is the most international
manages water and land resources.
river basin in the world. The management of this region
serves to exemplify successful policy-building, showing
Linking Freshwater, Coasts, and Oceans:
how to advance an issue. Pollution of the Black Sea by
Addressing Aquifers
nutrient overloading led to the degradation of the
Aquifers constitute 99% of all accessible freshwater
ecosystem and reduced biodiversity, resulting in a large
globally. The seaward discharge from aquifers to coastal
economic loss. The GEF contributed in the early stages
ecosystems and their role in delivering nutrients and
of the management process, beginning with institutional
other dissolved constituents is becoming increasingly
building in the region. This helped lead to the Danube
recognized. Large amounts of groundwater continually
Convention (1998), the Black Sea Convention (1994), and
discharge into the sea, amounting to 5-10% of all
the GEF Danube ­ Black Sea Strategic Partnership (2001).
freshwater input into the oceans. For truly integrated
The management scheme was aimed at new policies,
management of water resources, the interconnections
institutional and regulatory measures, investment
between aquifers and the oceans must be realized.
projects, capacity building including monitoring
Additionally, aquifers flowing into mangroves, coastal
systems, legal mechanisms at national and regional
lagoons, and salt marshes may be very significant for the
levels, implementing pilot projects, and stakeholder
preservation of marine biodiversity.
involvement. Strategic partnerships were developed to
Several GEF-supported studies have been initiated to
support country-related investment projects, most
address the issue of aquifer discharge to the coasts, and
notably the World Bank-GEF Investment Fund for
many other GEF partners are supporting efforts in an
Nutrient Reduction, the UNDP/UNEP Black Sea
attempt to integrate IWRM with coastal and oceans
Ecosystem Recovery Project, and the UNDP Danube
management. There is a need to continue to foster the
Regional Project. In a Memorandum of Understanding,
development of these linkages and relationships,
long-term and intermediate goals were identified among
nationally and internationally.
partners, assuring comparable assessment and reporting
on ecological status and input loads and the adoption of
Case Study: The Caspian Sea
strategies for pollution reduction. There will not be an
The Caspian Sea has been deteriorated by increasing
analysis of results achieved until 2007, but the Black Sea
anthropogenic pressure, coupled with natural disasters.
does appear to be recovering.
As a result, there is an increase of eutrophication, water
Recommendations
pollution by heavy metals, chemical pollution and
overexploitation of the many types of Caspian flora and
Integrated management of water resources cannot occur
fauna. In the beginning, activities for the protection of
without realizing the natural linkages between
the Caspian Sea included some regional strategies for
freshwater, coasts, and oceans. An effective
capacity building. However, most of the problems of the
management scheme must take these linkages into
area are transboundary in nature, and require the
consideration, and secure political and societal
inclusion and support of all surrounding nations.
commitment among stakeholders.
One sound result of regional efforts occurred when the
It was ultimately recommended that the freshwater and
UNEP assisted the region in developing the basic
oceans communities should create stronger
elements for a Framework Convention for the Protection
partnerships. There is a need to work across and
and Sustainable Management of the Caspian
between freshwater, coastal, and oceans organizations,
at the national and international levels. Among these
23

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opportunities is collaboration between the Global Water
river-borne nutrients flowing from the land to the sea
Partnership (GWP) and the Global Forum on Oceans,
have created over 150 oxygen-deprived "dead zones" in
Coasts, and Islands.
the Gulf of Mexico, the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea, the
Chesapeake Bay, and the northern Adriatic Sea.
Improving Interlinkages between Freshwater,
Around 2000 BC, two city-states concluded a treaty to
Coasts, and Oceans
settle conflicts over water uses of the Tigris River. Four
A preparatory meeting on freshwater to oceans linkages
thousand years later we are still learning how to manage
was held at the International Workshop on Freshwater-
human uses of rivers, river basins, watersheds, and
Coastal-Marine Management Interlinkages, January
coastal areas. Today, much of the focus is on
10-11, 2006 in Mexico City, organized by the Consejo
integration. We have integrated river basin management
Consultivo del Agua, Mexico, SEMARNAT, Mexico,
defined by the Global Water Partnership as "the process
Centro EPOMEX, the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts,
of coordinating conservation, management, and
and Islands, UNEP Global Programme of Action for the
development of water, land, and related resources
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based
across sectors within a given river basin, in order to
Activities (GPA) and other collaborating organizations.
maximize the economic and social benefits derived from
Thirty-nine experts from 29 countries participated in the
water resources in an equitable manner while
workshop. The salient points discussed and
preserving and, where necessary, restoring freshwater
recommendations put forward at the workshop are
ecosystems" (emphasis added). Integrated coastal
presented below.
management uses almost the same definition, but with
an emphasis on estuarine and marine (saltwater)
Mexico City International Workshop on
ecosystems. While institutional arrangements have been
Freshwater-Coastal-Marine Management
designed and implemented to address either freshwater
Interlinkages, January 10-11, 2006
or saltwater issues, rarely have institutions worked on
the linkages between fresh and saltwater.
Background
Occasionally a river basin management plan will address
Continental waters stored in surface waters (rivers, lakes,
the "downstream" effects of "upstream" activities.
wetlands) represent less than one percent of the Earth's
Occasionally a coastal management project will address
water resources. Ninety-seven percent is stored in the
the effects of upstream activities and river inflows.
oceans and the remaining 2% is sea ice, snow, glaciers,
Increasingly international programs such as the GPA,
and permafrost. However, this small percentage of the
the Global Environmental Facility, and Large Marine
Earth's total water resources that is freshwater is
Ecosystems are beginning to address linkages. But what
disproportionately important to people. The watersheds
have been the collective experiences of these efforts?
that integrate the surface water run-off of entire drainage
What institutional arrangements across fresh and
basins play a critical role as sources of water, food,
coastal management institutions have worked and why?
energy, recreation and transportation. Watersheds
What incentives have provided appropriate changes in
provide habitat and a host of other ecological services
institutional and personal behavior? What kinds of
from water purification to flood control and nutrient
"nested" institutional arrangements (global, regional,
recycling--all important to people. Watersheds also
and national) have been most effective? How have non-
provide a critical link between and land and the sea.
governmental organizations contributed? What has
Increasingly watersheds are under increased stress from
been the role of the private sector? What are the
structural modifications (dams, flood control,
lessons about effective stakeholder involvement? What
canalization), habitat degradation (deforestation,
are the long-term economic and social benefits, as well
urbanization, agriculture), freshwater withdrawals,
as the ecological benefits, of linking river basin and
pollution, and loss of freshwater biodiversity. For
coastal management? Is there an adequate natural and
example, large rivers such as the Colorado, Ganges, and
social science base for assessing these linkages? Can
Yellow Rivers often no longer flow to the sea during the
"best practices" be identified and documented?
dry season. In the Nile Delta, 30 of 47 commercial fish
In 1999 the United Nations declared the World Day for
species have become extinct due to the Aswan High Dam.
Water theme, "Everybody Lives Downstream," that
Reducing the flow of freshwater to the sea can also lead
drew attention to the conflicts of equally legitimate
to the intrusion of salt water into previously fresh surface
water- related interests and relationships between those
water and groundwater--rendering them undrinkable. On
living "upstream" and those living "downstream."
the other hand, according to UNEP, large amounts of
24

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The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
· Increased coastal erosion by reduction of sediment
in 2002, called for all countries to develop Integrated
flows from rivers as a result of dams and water
Water Management Strategies by the end of 2005. These
diversion schemes;
strategies are intended to build national and regional
· Lack of knowledge about complex interactions in the
efforts to tackle specific water challenges, such as
coastal/ocean ecosystem and watershed, and lack of
pollution prevention, controlling flooding, mitigating the
understanding of the benefits of an integrated
effects of drought, expanding access to water and
management approach; and
sanitation, and addressing increasing competition for
· Increased water demands, land use practices, river
water and water scarcity. Similarly, the WSSD, as well as
regulation works and water resources development
the Millennium Development goals, called for all
projects have crucial impacts on principal coastal and
countries to create systems for integrated coastal and
oceans resources and are placing the viability of
ocean management to address downstream issues in
coastal economic activities at risk.
coastal areas (the home of 50% of the world's
population), in oceans (incorporating 70% of the earth's
Meeting challenges and constraints
surface area and 97% of the world's water), and in Small
We do not lack experience in trying to link freshwater
Island Developing States or SIDS (43 of the world's
and ocean management activities. About 100 nations are
nations are SIDS that are especially dependent on ocean,
currently experimenting with some form of integrated
coastal, and freshwater resources).
coastal management; 18 Regional Seas Programmes exist
within 140 countries; well over 60 countries are
Today, it is important to address the challenge of linking
completing National Plans of Action for land-based
freshwater to coasts and oceans from a new collaborative
sources of marine pollution; and almost 20 Large Marine
perspective that examines how decision- making and
Ecosystem projects are funded by the Global
institutional arrangements can be aligned to achieve a
Environmental Facility. Tens of millions of dollars have
true "hydro-solidarity" between "upstream" and
been invested by the Global Environmental Facility and
"downstream" stakeholders. Finding models for how
others in linked management approaches. Then why is it
these interests can be reconciled is an urgent and
so difficult to achieve commitment, coordination and
challenging task that can be made more concrete by
even communication on linked management of
analyzing a set of case studies of river basins and their
catchments and coasts/oceans? Several challenges and
associated coastal zones from a management perspective.
constraints have to be faced, such as:
A shared agenda of freshwater and coast/
· Different cultures: River basin management/ integrated
ocean management
water resources management and coastal/ ocean
Important shared issues on the policy and management
management policies represent two different
agenda of freshwater resources and coastal/ocean
traditions, with different disciplines, different
management need to be identified and recognized. Some
networks, and little communication;
significant examples should be mentioned:
· Institutional inadequacies: Integrated management is
not common practice. In most cases, river basin
Freshwater flows are critical to the health and
management and the authority of basin organizations
productivity of estuaries and coastal waters. Increasing
stop at the estuary or are not practiced beyond the
freshwater demands, mainly for irrigated agriculture
border of the estuary. In many countries coastal zone
(80%) and urban development, are depleting freshwater
management has not yet reached a mature stage.
flows and damaging coastal ecosystems and their vital
Responsibilities are divided among various sectoral
functions as spawning and nursery area for coastal
ministries and a high priority is the implementation of
fisheries. Nutrient over-enrichment, eutrophication of
effective institutional arrangements;
estuaries and coastal/ marine waters and coastal "dead
· Water policy and legislation: The major problem is
zones" are emerging issues, primarily related to increased
the absence of a comprehensive water policy
agricultural activities in river catchments.
accommodating integrated water resources
Other examples include:
management (IWRM) in the context of harmonizing
· Pollution of river basins and its consequences for
national economic development plans and water sector
human and ecosystems health in coastal waters and
plans. Such a policy should be effective, efficient, and
oceans, due to municipal and industrial waste water;
equitable across geopolitical borders. A formal
· Degradation of freshwater and coastal habitats caused
protocol between river basin authorities and coastal
primarily by changes in flow characteristics by
authorities would go a long way to promote integrated
damming and river flow regulation;
management. Deficiencies in the regulatory system
25

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have to be mentioned, including lack of enforcement
Partnership, the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and
capacity.
Islands; and UN entities such as UNEP, UNESCO,
· Inadequate attention to the full range of socio-
UNDP, etc.)
economic factors: It is impossible to define ecological
· Operationalize the intended management link in the
functions in only monetary terms. The profits of
concrete support of such initiatives/targets like IWRM
freshwater for irrigation are much easier to quantify
2005 through, e.g., the IWRM InfoForum; in updating
than freshwater flows required for productive and
the definition of ICZM, broadening the scope from the
healthy coastal ecosystems. The valuation of goods
terrestrial zone to watersheds and oceans; and
and services the coastal and marine environment
· Enforce the development of capabilities and common
provides is of crucial importance. Often there is an
standards, methodologies, and indicators in linking
imbalance in socio- economic development and
freshwater to coasts to oceans.
political attention between upstream and downstream
regions;
At the regional/national scale:
· Lack of thorough analysis of linked issues: A lack of
· Focus not only on assessment of the interlinkages but
ecological information (pressures, driving forces) has
take concrete next steps, to establish multi- sectoral
to be mentioned ­ for example, what is the impact of
policies, institutional frameworks, stakeholder
dams on the degradation of mangroves vis-à-vis the
participation in policy making and planning across the
impacts of activities in the estuary itself? Also the
freshwater-coastal interface, e.g., through establishing
perspectives of mid term-economic development are
freshwater coastal networks in connection with the
not being analyzed; and
regional IWRM networks and through a focus on the
· Lack of awareness: The vision of freshwater, coast and
freshwater/coast interlinkages in IWRM 2005 target
oceans communities must be broadened and should
support programs, e.g. UNEP, UNDP, and other
overcome traditional principles such as `Each drop of
organizations;
freshwater that makes it to the sea is lost.' Stakeholders
· Promote GPA National Programmes of Action in the
competing for the same resources will have different
context of IWRM and Water Efficiency plans and Large
visions.
Marine Ecosystem initiatives; and
· Consider and respond to the difficulties that national
The obvious benefits of linked management
authorities face in implementing multiple mandates: e.g.,
The major benefit of linked management is the scope it
creating IWRM plans, ICZM plans, National Plans of
provides to ensure that development activities upstream
Action for the Control of Land-Based Activities, as well
are planned and implemented with full knowledge of the
as national actions related to regional programs such as
potential impacts on the ecosystems and economic
the Regional Seas Programmes and the Large Marine
activities and livelihoods in the coastal and marine areas.
Ecosystem Programs. What support do national
This is essential to assure the integrity and health of the
authorities need to successfully integrate such a wide-
ecosystems and the water cycle, and to promote the
ranging set of actions? What specific support/
sustainable development of both the higher and lower
guidance/ facilitation might be needed?
watershed areas.
The costs of inaction are high. It is known from river
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
rehabilitation practices that the costs of ignoring
Freshwater to Oceans Task Force
upstream-downstream management linkages have been
Initial Members:
enormous--the costs of rehabilitation are much higher
Co-Chair: Patricia Munoz, National
than the costs of prevention!
Polytechnique Institute, Mexico
Management options - What could be done?
Co-Chair: Thomas Laughlin, United States National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
At the global scale:
Antonio Diaz de Leon, Ministry of Environment and
· Link the coastal/ocean and freshwater communities at
Natural Resources, SEMARNAT, Mexico
important events by creating shared agendas, e.g., at
Porfirio Alvarez, Ministry of Environment and Natural
the World Water Forum series, at CSD when follow-up
Resources, SEMARNAT, Mexico
on the water agenda and the oceans agenda takes
Evelia Rivera-Arriaga, Centro Epomex- Universidad
place, at the World Water Weeks in Stockholm, etc.;
Autónoma de Campeche, Mexico
· Develop a program of collaboration between global
Isaac Azuz-Adeath, Cetys University, Mexico
oceans organizations and global water organizations
Gonzalo Cid, Jennifer Winston, Elizabeth
(e.g. partnerships such as the Global Water
Mclanahan, Ed Kruse, NOAA
26

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Julian Barbiere, Stefano Belfiore, Intergovernmental
Martin Adriaanse, Cees van de Guchte, Nancy Bennet,
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
United Nations Environment Programme Global Programme
Alice Aureli, Annuka Lipponen, Division of Water
of Action
Sciences, UNESCO
Margarita Astralaga, Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Charles N. Ehler, UNESCO
Steven Olsen, University of Rhode Island
Niels Ipsen, UNEP Collaborating Centre on
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Miriam Balgos, Kateryna Wowk,
Water and the Environment
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
27

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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
TOWARD THE UNEP/GPA IGR-2 IN BEIJING
Summary prepared by Tom Laughlin (NOAA), and
Dr. Porfirio Alvarez-Torres (SEMARNAT)
Adopted in 1995 in Washington DC by 108 Governments
WORKSHOPS ON REVIEW OF THE GPA AND THE
and the European Community, the Global Programme of
MONTREAL DECLARATION ON THE PROTECTION OF
Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
from Land-based Activities (GPA) is the only global
THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT FROM LAND-BASED
program that addresses the interactions between the
ACTIVITIES
freshwater and coastal environment; it is a
Summary prepared by Tom Laughlin (U.S. NOAA) and
comprehensive action program in response to the fact
Dr. Porfirio Alvarez-Torres (SEMARNAT, Mexico)
that some 80% of all marine pollution comes from land-
based activities. Implementation of the GPA is, in the
Two workshops were convened to evaluate how well
first place, the task of national governments, though the
the WSSD goal concerning the implementation of the
importance of stakeholder participation should not be
GPA is being met, and to provide input into the 4th
overlooked.
World Water Forum and the 2nd Intergovernmental
Review of the GPA. The sessions were chaired by Tom
As noted by Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd (Coordinator,
Laughlin (NOAA), Dr. Porfirio Alvarez-Torres
UNEP/GPA) at the Paris Conference, the First
(SEMARNAT), and Dr. Patricia Munoz (Instituto
Intergovernmental Meeting, hosted by Canada in 2001,
Politecnico National, Mexico), with assistance from Dr.
moved the GPA from planning to action with the
Veerle Vandeweerd (UNEP GPA).
adoption of the Montreal Declaration and Programme
of Work for the GPA office, 2001-2006. Significant
Background
progress has been made since the Declaration, largely
The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation calls for
with support from the Global Environment Facility
"advance implementation of the Global Programme of
(GEF). The Second Intergovernmental Review of the
Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment
UNEP-GPA (IGR-2) will be held October 16-20, 2006, in
from Land-based Activities and the Montreal Declaration
Beijing, People's Republic of China. IGR-2 will focus on
on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-
the need to incorporate an ecosystem approach into
based Activities, with particular emphasis in the period
Integrated Water Resources Management, as well as the
2002-2006 on municipal wastewater, the physical
need to develop domestic financing, legislation, and
alternation and destruction of habitats, and nutrients, by
institution building. IGR-2, will contribute to shaping
actions at all levels to:
the international policy agenda on freshwater, coasts,
· Facilitate partnerships, scientific research and
and oceans, advancing the implementation of targets
diffusion of technical knowledge; mobilize domestic,
the international community has adopted, and forging
regional, and international resources; and promote
partnerships for presentation at IGR-2, including the
human and institutional capacity building, paying
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands.
particular attention to the needs of developing
At the Paris conference participants discussed
countries;
preparations for upcoming events highlighting
· Strengthen the capacity of developing countries in
freshwater to oceans issues: the Fourth World Water
the development of their national and regional
Forum, March 16-21, 2006, Mexico City, and IGR-2.
programmes and mechanisms to mainstream the
Suggestions put forward at the Paris conference are
objectives of the Global Programme of Action and to
presented below.
manage the risks and impacts of ocean pollution;
· Elaborate regional programmes of action and improve
the links with strategic plans for the sustainable
development of coastal and marine resources, noting
in particular areas which are subject to accelerated
environmental changes and development pressures;
28

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· Make every effort to achieve substantial progress by
Next Steps:
the next Global Programme of Action conference in
Specific suggestions to further the WSSD goal included
2006 to protect the marine environment from land-
fostering freshwater coast linkages at the 4th World Water
based activities.
Forum to be held in Mexico City in March, 2006. To do
this, the Global Forum, UNEP/GPA, and NOAA will jointly
To help foster these goals, a multi-stakeholder group
host a session to address these linkages. In addition, the
convened an International Workshop on Freshwater-
meeting participants suggested paragraphs including the
Coastal-Marine Management Interlinkages, held in
following themes in the Ministerial Declaration from the
Mexico City in January 2006 (see discussion in
WWF4.
Freshwater to Oceans section of the newsletter). The
1. The goals of sustainable development cannot be met
group found that "The major benefit of linked
without linking freshwater to coasts and oceans. This
management is the scope it provides to ensure that
is particularly true in small island developing states.
development activities upstream are planned and
2. Because impacts collect and are concentrated in
implemented with full knowledge of the potential impacts
coastal zones, a key goal of integrated water resource
on the ecosystems and economic activities and
management is to address coastal and oceans
livelihoods in the coastal and marine areas. The costs of
impacts.
inaction are high. It is known from river rehabilitation
3. Actions are needed at the local level throughout the
practices that the costs of ignoring upstream-
watershed.
downstream management linkages have been enormous ­
the costs of rehabilitation are much higher than the costs
To build upon the momentum of the 4th World Water Forum
of prevention!"
and other international events discussing freshwater
oceans linkages, the 2nd Intergovernmental Review of the
Progress Towards Achievement of the WSSD Goals:
GPA will include a Partnership Day that will be modelled
Progress has been made toward the WSSD goal on a
after WW2BW. Meeting participants made the following
variety of levels. Internationally, the GPA notes that "the
suggestions for inclusion in the Partnership Day.
GPA and the international community have been working
to provide guidance support, and funding to nations in
1. Reports and recommendations from the Freshwater to
their attempts to devise and implement NPAs." Other
Oceans sessions at the World Water Forum in order to
progress at the international level has included:
establish a common vision of actions to manage
conclusion of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
watersheds and coastal areas.
Organic Pollutants; regional GPA meetings; and capacity
2. Discussion of future directions/modalities of the
building and outreach programs; and partnership
Global Forum.
development through venues such as White Water to
3. Use of the IOI network to advocate GPA-related
Blue Water.
approaches and to distribute lessons learned from the
GPA.
At the national level, over 60 nations have initiated
4. Showcasing Strategic Partnerships as an opportunity
National Programs of Action. In addition, countries are
for other regions.
working together to develop mechanisms for regional
5. Highlighting the link between land-based activities
coordination (see table below).
and the ecological health of marine ecosystems,
Regional Plan
Implementation Status
possibly by partnering with the ICES Conference on
Wider Caribbean
Coastal Zone Management which will be held in
Programme
Protocol exists
Norway in 2007.
SPREP
Protocol being developed
6. Conclusion of a GPA/Ramsar cooperative agreement.
Black Sea
Protocol being developed
Southeast Pacific
Protocol exists
Cartegena Protocol
Protocol exists
Barcelona Convention
Convention exists
29

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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES AND THE MAURITIUS STRATEGY
Summary prepared by LaVerne Walker, St. Lucia
During the Third Global Conference, a panel reviewed
impacts of climate change and other global issues, in
progress achieved and the obstacles faced by States in
particular trade liberalization.
their efforts to implement the ocean and coastal
Background
components of the BPoA and also to review specific
strategies for implementing the actions identified in the
Small island developing states (SIDS) are characterized
2005 Mauritius Strategy. Several discussion sessions
as large ocean States due to establishment of the 200
also addressed progress and next steps for SIDS.
mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), resulting in
Acknowledging that the Mauritius Strategy builds on
these small islands being custodians of much of the
the WSSD, the MDGs as well as the Barbados
world's ocean space. Despite the fact that SIDS have
Programme of Action, and that it further provides more
large ocean areas rich in resources (fisheries, oil and
targeted actions for SIDS, the discussion focused on the
gas, minerals, renewable energy), many island States are
implementation of the Mauritius Strategy and identified
unable to benefit from the existence of these resources
next steps.
within their EEZs a result of inadequate technical and
management capacity. For example, SIDS often lack the
Panel 5: Implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for
technologies necessary for development of ocean
Small Island States was chaired by Ambassador Jagdish
resources. Another issue which is of major concern to
Koonjul, Foreign Affairs, Mauritius, Outgoing Chair,
SIDS is the threat of climate change and the associated
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and included
sea level rise predictions. The significant vulnerability
presentations from: Mr. Willie John, Chief Executive
of the natural environment, economy and social
Officer, Cook Islands; Mr. Fernando Trindade, on behalf
structure of SIDS has been well established. Even
of Celestino Andrade, Ministry of Environment, São
though similar problems are present in most or all
Tomé and Príncipe; Mr. Rolph Payet, Principal
developing countries, because of the inherent
Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Seychelles; Mr.
characteristics of SIDS they are felt more acutely these
Vincent Sweeney, Executive Director, Caribbean
countries.
Environmental Health Institute, St. Lucia; Mr. Nelson
Andrade, Director, UNEP Caribbean Programme,
Being cognizant that the development needs of SIDS
UNEP/UNDP/GEF IWCAM Programme on Integrated
differ from other developing countries, the Barbados
Water and Coastal Area Management for SIDS; Ms.
Programme of Action (BPoA), a fourteen point program
Dominique Benzaken, Coastal Management Adviser,
identifying priority areas for action, was adopted at the
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment
United Nations Global Conference on the Sustainable
Programme; Ambassador Enele Sopoaga, Permanent
Development of Small Island Developing States, held in
Representative of the Mission of Tuvalu to the UN; and
Barbados in 1994. In 2005, at the International Meeting
Ms. Marina Silva, Independent Consultant, Cape Verde.
to Review the Implementation of the Programme of
Dialogue sessions related to SIDS were chaired by: Mr.
Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Tim Adams, Secretariat of the Pacific Community; Mr.
Developing States in Mauritius, many of the actions
Nelson Andrade, UNEP, Caribbean; Mr. James
listed under the BPoA were reprioritized by SIDS for
Hardcastle, Nature Seychelles; Mr. Franklin McDonald,
further action.
UNEP Caribbean; Marina N'Deye, Cape Verde; Mary
Ten years after the adoption of the BPOA, national and
Power, South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
regional assessments indicate that some SIDS have
(SOPAC); and Mr. Dirk Troost, Chief, Coasts and Small
managed to effectively address and manage certain
Islands Platform, UNESCO.
aspects of their vulnerability and have clearly
The unique and special challenges facing SIDS were
progressed in specific areas related to their
also underscored by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of
development. Unfortunately there are other states that
United Nations Millennium Project, in his address to the
have regressed. One major reason for the lack of
conference. He acknowledged the necessity of better
implementation of the BPOA has been the decline in
reflections on these challenges facing SIDS in meeting
international support and resources. Reviews indicate a
the MDG and WSSD goals, particularly addressing the
50% reduction in Official Development Aid (ODA) to
SIDS in the period 1994-2004 (Chowdhury, 2004).
30

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Progress Towards Implementation of Ocean
or proposed MPA development. Only five SIDS
and Coastal Management in SIDS
have not established or recommended the
General Trends Prior to the Mauritius International
establishment of MPAs, and information is needed
Meeting1
for six SIDS. Interestingly, the Cook Islands and
· 20% of SIDS nations (8 nations) have developed
Samoa have declared their entire EEZs as MPAs,
specific institutions or interagency mechanisms for
presenting a unique solution for management.
the coordination of integrated coastal and ocean
Progress Following the 2005 Mauritius International
management;
Meeting
· 44% of SIDS nations (18 nations) have entrusted the
· Three regional meetings were organized by
coordination of marine and coastal issues to national
UNDESA-SIDS Unit to examine the progress of
environmental institutions. Some of these
implementation of the Mauritius Strategy.
mechanisms and environmental institutions are part
· An inter-regional meeting took place in Rome in
of the National Sustainable Development Plan
2005 to determine next steps on the implementation
coordination (6 countries of 18, or 15% out of the
of the Mauritius Strategy.
total).
· The Cook Islands have made positive strides with
· No SIDS has delimited its EEZ and deposited EEZ
meeting the Millennium Development Goals,
coordinates with the UN Division of Ocean Affairs
particularly those related to management of waste
and Law of the Sea (DOALOS), nor has any SIDS
and monitoring biodiversity.
filed an extended continental shelf claim.
· The Cook Islands have developed a National
· Several countries have enacted relevant legislation
Development Plan and a draft Tourism Master Plan
regarding marine management. Most of the
to assist the country with the implementation of the
enactments are under jurisdiction or coordination of
Mauritius Strategy.
national environmental institutions, most notably,
· Sao Tome and Principe is currently in the
National Environmental Acts (63% of SIDS or 26
implementation phase of a Large Marine Ecosystem
countries) and laws that provide for Environmental
Project and in the process of preparing a National
Impact Assessment (32% of SIDS, or 13 countries).
Programme of Action for addressing land-based
The Environmental Acts often encompass waste and
sources of marine pollution.
watershed or pollution-related issues, and to a lesser
· Many islands in the Caribbean have put
extent legislation on marine protected areas (MPAs)
mechanisms in place to address management of
and fisheries management.
waste and water pollution:
· 44% of SIDS (18 countries) have developed National
o Established Solid Waste Management
Sustainable Development Plans, and Biological
Authorities;
Diversity National Strategies. The Cook Islands,
o In the process of developing Marine Pollution
Marshal Islands and Samoa have developed Marine
Acts;
Resources Plans.
o Acceded to relevant IMO instruments;
· 7% of all SIDS (or 3 countries from the Caribbean)
o Established sanitary land filled sites;
have enacted National Coastal Zone Acts (Barbados,
o Conducted public awareness and sensitization
Belize, and Cuba).
campaigns on waste management issues.
· 46% of SIDS (19 countries) have developed national
· Many Caribbean governments are committed to the
initiatives for integrated coastal management, which
Integrated Watershed and Coastal Area Project,
are in the form of national plans (17% or 7 countries);
funded by GEF, being executed by the Caribbean
national strategies (17% or 7 countries); and national
Environment Programme and the Caribbean
programs (12% or 5 countries).
Environment Health Institute.
· 27% of SIDS (11 of 41) have enacted legislation on
· Pacific SIDS are in the process of developing
watershed planning, which includes coastal
National Sustainable Development Strategies, and
watershed management. These are the Cook Islands,
some have already completed theirs. There is a
Marshall Islands, Samoa, Barbados, Belize,
need for additional financial support to implement
Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua &
and complete the strategies.
Barbuda, and Suriname.
· Development of a Pacific Islands Regional Ocean
· Other initiatives closely related with integrated
Policy was endorsed by the Ministers in 2002 and is
coastal management are the establishment of MPAs.
currently being implementend at the national level
61% of SIDS, or 25 countries, have established
· During the thirteenth session of the Commission on
MPAs while at least seven more have recommended
Sustainable Development (CSD) it was decided that
31

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during future meetings of the Commission one full
· Address the CBD Program of Work on Island
day will be committed to addressing SIDS issues.
Biodiversity and implementation constraints or
issues faced by SIDS and elaborated in the
Obstacles
Mauritius Strategy, as key drivers for partnership
· Lack of accountability outside island/mission/
and implementation at the local level.
mandate.
· Maintenance of capacity within SIDS on pertinent
Coordination
issues needed to assist in the development of the
· Establish partnerships with companies involved in
Mauritius Strategy.
the production of Ocean Thermal Energy
· Given the recognition of special status of SIDS, there
Conversion (OTEC) type energy technologies.
is still inadequate follow-up in practical terms.
· Integration of the Mauritius Strategy into the work
· Lack of human resource on the ground to facilitate
programmes of relevant United Nations
the implementation of Mauritius Strategy.
organizations.
· Development aid to SIDS has declined making access
· Develop and establish integrated approaches
to financial resources more difficult.
towards waste management.
· Many of the pledges made to assist SIDS in
· Need to raise awareness towards the issue of climate
implementing the Mauritius Strategy have not been
change and its impact to SIDS and the urgent
met to date.
necessity to implement adaptation activities in SIDS.
· Lack of a formalized integration, coordination and
· Need to raise awareness towards the issue of energy
monitoring mechanism to assess implementation of
requirements and uses and the impact of SIDS
the Mauritius Strategy at the national and regional
development.
level.
· Increased coordination and integration of policies
· AOSIS has not been formalized.
and projects.
· SIDS Consortium of Universities (established during
Monitoring
the Mauritius International Meeting) lacks financial
· SIDS need to establish their own monitoring and
resources.
evaluation methodology at the national level to
· Natural disasters in 2005 have impacted the progress
assess their implementation of the Mauritius
of some SIDS on the implementation of the Mauritius
Strategy.
Strategy.
· Creation of a focal point for the Atlantic SIDS: Cape
· No SIDS has submitted any co-ordinates to United
Verde has been recommended.
Nations Division on Ocean Affairs and Law of the
· Establish indicators for progress on the
Sea regarding EEZ delimitation and claims for an
implementation of the Mauritius Strategy.
extended continental shelf.
· Recognize the important role of oceans as an
· Appreciation of the uniqueness of SIDS issues is not
economic driver towards the economic advancement
well received by the international community. `One
of SIDS.
size fits all concept' does not fit SIDS.
· Difficult for many SIDS to meet the eligibility criteria
Other
of international donor agencies, such as GEF, to
· Support of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and
access funds to assist in the implementation of the
Islands in assisting SIDS with the advancement of
Mauritius Strategy.
ocean related issues such as the delimitations of
their EEZ.
Next Steps Proposed During Panel Session
· Recognition by the international community that
Implementation
SIDS do not have the same needs and requirements
· Need to focus on the implementation of the
of other developing countries resulting in
Mauritius Strategy.
differentiated treatment.
· Support the implementation of the SIDS Consortium
· The need to establish a physical presence of
of Universities.
international representation, in particular the United
· Formalize the Alliance of the Small Island States
Nations in SIDS, such as the Pacific SIDS currently
(AOSIS).
without UN presence.
· Build more partnerships with organizations to assist
in the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy.
Recommendations and Next Steps Proposed
· Define and implement of contingency plans for
in Dialogue Sessions
marine pollution.
Local
· Launch of the civil society platform;
32

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· Establish adult and school learning programs;
National Sustainable Development Strategies or the
· Awareness raising at the national level about the
Regional/National Oceans Policies;
Mauritius Strategy and its importance to SIDS;
· Creation of regional events to showcase
· Ensure that Mauritius Strategy is accessible and used
developments and examples of sustainable living.
by all stakeholders by popularizing Mauritius
· Strategy through a multi-media toolkit:
Caribbean
o An annotated version of the Mauritius strategy for
· Support the formalization of the Caribbean
civil society and policy makers
Development Cooperation Committee (CDCC) as the
o A pedagogic curriculum aid for schools and a
intergovernmental forum to coordinate the
poster leaflet in different languages
implementation of the Mauritius Strategy.
· Encourage the empowerment of local people and
communities with regards to the Mauritius Strategy;
AIMS
· Promote increased coordination and communication at
· Work towards getting the Atlantic SIDS working
the local level;
more closely with the Indian Oceans SIDS
· Increase access to financial resources;
(increased integration between the two regions).
· Integrate the need for environmental management with
· Support Cape Verde becoming the focal point for the
poverty alleviation and socio-economic advancement;
Atlantic SIDS.
· Facilitate understanding and action to address local
· Establishment of an AIMS civil society regional
needs, concerns and interests in the conservation and
coordination mechanism.
sustainable use of island biodiversity;
· Strengthen Indian Ocean Commission and
· Assist in achieving the biodiversity targets of WSSD
incorporate other members of the Indian Ocean
and CBD, related MEAs and their regional agreements
Region (e.g. Maldives and Bahrain).
and the Regional Seas Programmes;
· Identify and support island leaders championing major
Pacific
conservation and sustainable livelihood initiatives;
· Integrate the Mauritius Strategy to regional
· Stimulate common pathways for action between
programmes and National Sustainable Development
Governments and civil society;
Strategies including in the elaboration of the Pacific
· Develop connections between community based
Plan recently endorsed by Pacific Island Leaders in
initiatives (e.g., Small Islands Voice (SIV), Youth
their 2005 Summit.
Visioning for Island Living and networks with a social,
Inter-Regional
cultural and economic focus relevant to islands).
· Increased South-South co-operation amongst SIDS
Regional
(e.g., SPREP model can be emulated to fit Caribbean
· Improve coordination for SIDS issues at the regional
needs);
and sub-regional level;
· Promote increased coordination and communication
· Develop and strengthen networks and initiatives,
at the inter-regional level;
such as the Task Force on Island Conservation and
· Improve coordination and dialogue between the
Protected Areas (TAFICOPA), IUCN Species Survival
global, regional and national level.
Networks, the International Coral Reef Initiative,
International
Micronesians in Island Conservation network, to
· Support the formal institutionalization of the Alliance
enhance coordination, information sharing and to
of Small Island States for the implementation of the
catalyze action in islands and within and among SIDS;
Mauritius Strategy;
· Development of a database on SIDS civil society
· Follow-up on United Nations Resolution which
organizations and stakeholders;
allows for UN departments to appoint a focal point
· Facilitate better integration and appropriate use of
within their agencies which are responsible for SIDS
multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs) as
issues;
instruments for local and regional implementation,
· Urge UNDESA to establish and inter-agency
through species, place or issue focused agreements
coordinating mechanisms to follow-up after
and projects, and in particular recognizing the
Mauritius;
potential and benefits of both the Convention on
· Identify funding to ensure the continuation of
Migratory Species (CMS) and World Heritage;
SIDSNET;
· Enhance policy integration at the national and
· Collaboration between SIDSNET and the Global
regional level through mainstreaming biodiversity
Forum in the advancement of the SIDS agenda
conservation into existing national policies like
globally;
33

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· Establish a SIDS NGO Directory;
can be enhanced through the formalization of the AOSIS
· Develop a global ocean forum trustee council given
to monitor implementation of the Mauritius Strategy.
charge of the world's "isolated/fragile" areas
including SIDS, Antarctica, and Oceans;
Small Island Developing States Dialogue Session
· Support the revision of the GEF criteria for funding
Participants
eligibility;
Small Island Developing States Side Meeting Monday,
· Further the development of the SIDS Consortium of
23 January, 2006
Universities;
Celestino Andrade, Minister Advisor, Ministry of
· Encourage UN system and other international
Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure, Sao
organizations and programmes, for the
Tome and Principe
implementation of the Mauritius Strategy;
Dominique Benzaken, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional
· Utilize international events to promote and recognize
Environment Programme
island conservation leadership in the conservation
Joannes Berque, UNESCO-IOC
and sustainable use of island biodiversity;
Paola Deda, Convention on Migratory Species
· Recognize the existence of many international
E. Desa, UNESCO- IOC
instruments relevant to SIDS but that island
James Hardcastle, Nature Seychelles
representation and participation within international
Willie John, CEO, Minister of Marine Resources Office
processes and UN presence in country is not
John Low, Director, APA Consultancy
sufficient to link the international level to on-the-
Franklin McDonald, UNEP-CAR/RCU
ground communities;
Robin Mahon, University of the West Indies, Barbados
· Recognize the need for a global body or effective
Magdalena Ak Muir, EUCC ­ Coastal Union and Artic
enforceable regime for seamount protection;
Institute of North America
· Support the strengthening of national capacity for
Gerald Miles, The Nature Conservancy
follow-up and implementation and in particular the
Marina N'Deye, Independent Consultant
lack of access to financial resources;
Rolph Payet, Ministry of Environment and Natural
· Recommend that UNEP consider elaborating its
Resources, Seychelles
`Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the
Mary Power, South Pacific Geo-Science Commission
Marine Environment from Land-based Activities' to
Ann Powers, Pace Law School-NY/USA
give special attention to the needs of SIDS;
Margi Prideaux, Whale and Dolphin Conservation
· Urge SIDS to join the Convention on Migratory
Society
Species;
Peter Prows, Permanent Mission of Palau to the UN
· Develop a `global vision for local action' for the
Enele S. Sopoaga, Tuvalu Mission to the UN
implementation of the conservation and sustainable
Norma Taylor Roberts, Permanent Mission of Jamaica to
use of island biodiversity at the local/national level
the UN
through a Global Island Partnership ­ a linked
Vaia Tuuhia, Delegation Polynesie Fiang
collection of partnership activities at local, national
Fernando Trindade, Geographical and Surveying
and international levels and built upon existing
Directorate, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources
networks, institutions and initiatives.
and Infrastructure, Sao Tome and Principe
LaVerne Walker, Coastal Zone Unit, Ministry of Physical
Conclusion:
Development, Environment and Housing, St. Lucia
Small Island Developing States have made strides in the
implementation of the Mauritius Strategy; however they
Bottom-line Assessment Dialogue Session: Small Island
face many challenges that hinder the rate of
Developing States: 25 January, 2006
implementation. SIDS continue to be vulnerable to
Nelson Andrade, UNEP-CAR/RCU
natural disasters and environmental degradation due to
Dominique Benzaken, Secretariat to the Pacific Regional
their small scale and geographical location, which also
Environment Programme
makes it difficult to compete aggressively on the global
Fathimath Ghina, UNESCO-CSI
market due to their isolation from major international
Arthur A. Gray, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean
shipping routes.
States
Successful implementation of the Mauritius Strategy
Jens Ambsdorf, Lighthouse Foundation
cannot occur in the absence of effective integration,
Josephine Langley, Fisheries/Socio-Economic
coordination and monitoring mechanisms established
Consultant, Mauritius and UK
both at the global, regional and national levels and this
34

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David Leary, Center for Environmental Law, Macquarie
James Hardcastle, Nature Seychelles
University
Christy Loper, NOAA-US
Robin Mahon, University of the West Indies, Barbados
John Low, APA consultancy, Cook Islands
Gerald Miles, Nature Conservancy
Gerald Miles, The Nature Conservancy
Peter Neill, World Ocean Observatory
Marina N'Deye, Independent Consultant, Cape Verde
Mary Power, South Pacific Geo-Science Commission
Rolph Payet, Minister of Environment, Seychelles
Margi Prideaux, Whale and Dolphin Conservation
Lelei Peau, Department of Commerce, American Samoa
Society
Judith Priam, PhD student, Guadeloupe
Peter Prows, Palau Mission to the UN
Margi Prideaux, Whale & dolphin Conservation Society
Sunil M. Shastri, University of Hull, UK
Anne Rogers, UN/DESA
Vincent Sweeney, Caribbean Environmental Health
Enele Sopoaga, Permanent Mission of Tuvalu to the UN
Institute
Vincent Sweeney, Caribbean Environmental Health
Norma Taylor Roberts, Jamaica Mission to the UN
Institute
LaVerne Walker, Coastal Zone Unit, Ministry of Physical
Dirk Troost, UNESCO/CSI
Development, Environment and Housing, St. Lucia
Footnote:
Next Steps in Small Island Developing States Dialogue
1 From: Loper, Christen E., Miriam C. Balgos, Janice
Session: 26 January, 2006
Brown, Biliana Cicin-Sain, Peter Edwards, Christina
Nelson Andrade, UNEP/CAR
Jarvis, Jonathan Lilley, Isabel Torres de Noronha, Adam
Dominique Benzaken, Secretariat to the Pacific Regional
Skarke, Joana Flor Tavares, and LaVerne Walker. Small
Environment Programme
Islands, Large Ocean States: A Review of Ocean and
Paola Deda, UNEP/CMS
Coastal Management in Small Island Developing States
Fathimath Ghina, UNESCO/CSI
since the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action for the
Arthur Gray, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing
J D Hache, Conference on the peripheral maritime
States (SIDS). Toward Mauritius 2005 Paper Series No.
regions of EU (CPMR)
2005-1. Global Forum on Oceans Coasts and Islands:
University of Delaware, Newark, USA (2005).
35

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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
RESULTS OF THE DIALOGUE ON ISLAND BIODIVERSITY
Prepared by Gerald Miles, The Nature Conservancy
This session was co-sponsored by the Secretariat of the
a) Address the CBD Program of Work on Island
Convention on Biological Diversity, the UNEP/
Biodiversity and implementation constraints or
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of
issues faced by SIDS and elaborated in the
Wild Animals (CMS), the Secretariat for the Pacific
Mauritius Strategy, as key drivers for partnership
Regional Environment Program (SPREP), The Nature
and implementation at the local level;
Conservancy, and the IUCN/WCPA Taskforce on Islands
b) Facilitate understanding and action to address
Conservation and Protected Areas (TAFICOPA).
local needs, concerns, and interests in the
We have a vision. We have agreed goals. We
conservation and sustainable use of island
have great knowledge and ever-greener
biodiversity;
technologies. What we need is high-level
c) Assist in achieving the biodiversity targets of
political commitment for marine conservation
WSSD and CBD, related MEAs and their regional
and protection areas....
agreements, and the Regional Seas Programmes;
d) Develop and strengthen networks and initiatives,
Let us work together: to protect the oceans
such as TAFICOPA, IUCN Species Survival
and coastal zones; to help small islands
Networks, the International Coral Reef Initiative,
survive and prosper; and to ensure that all
and Micronesians in Island Conservation network,
people enjoy a sustainable future.
to enhance coordination, information sharing, and
Kofi Annan, Port Louis, 13 January 2005
catalyze action in islands and within and among
SIDS;
Significance of Island Biodiversity
e) Develop connections between conservation
The Earth is home to more than 130,000 islands, which
networks (e.g. Small Islands Voice (SIV), Youth
host more than 500 million people. They are stewards for
Visioning for Island Living, and networks with a
more than one-sixth of the Earth's total area. Half of the
social, cultural, and economic focus relevant to
tropical marine biodiversity is found in islands, with 12 of
islands;
the 18 centers of marine endemism and seven of the ten
f) Identify and support island leaders championing
coral reef hotspots surrounding islands. Terrestrially,
major conservation and sustainable livelihood
islands are home to half of the recognized Endemic Bird
initiatives;
Areas, a quarter of the terrestrial Global 200 Ecoregions,
g) Stimulate common pathways for action between
and a third of the biodiversity hotspots. Islands also
governments and civil society;
claim the greatest number of extinctions in the world and
h) Improve access to adequate financial resources and
today island species are often highly threatened. Small
capacity building mechanisms;
Island Developing States are home also to great diversity
i) Facilitate better integration and appropriate use of
of cultures that depend on island biodiversity for their
MEAs as instruments for local and regional
livelihoods and development. They face particular
implementation, through species, place, or issue
challenges in the conservation and sustainable use of
focused agreements and projects, and, in particular,
island biodiversity.
recognize the potential benefits of both CMS and
Recommendations
World Heritage;
j) Enhance policy integration at the national and
To advance the conservation and sustainable use of
regional level through mainstreaming biodiversity
island biodiversity, the Dialogue identified the need to:
conservation into existing national policies like
· Develop a `global vision for local action' for the
National Sustainable Development Strategies or the
implementation of the global policy processes at the
Regional/National Oceans Policies;
local/national level through a Global Island
k) Encourage UN system and other international
Partnership ­ a linked collection of partnership
organisations and programmes (for example
activities at local, national, and international levels
WCMC) to give priority to actions that support the
and built upon existing networks, institutions, and
collection and management of information in
initiatives ­ that will:
support of the effective conservation and
sustainable use of island biodiversity;
36

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l) Utilize international events to promote and recognize
at the local and regional level and to the CBD 2010
island conservation leadership in the conservation
targets;
and sustainable use of island biodiversity.
g) Identify the ways and means for the effective
integration of the Mauritius Strategy into CBD
More broadly, it was agreed:
Programs of Work, in particular the PoW on Island
1) To recognize many international instruments to SIDS
Biodiversity;
but that island representation and participation
h) Comprehensively integrate the ecosystem
within international processes and UN presence in
approach into the PoW on Island Biodiversity;
countries is not sufficient to link the international
i) Request that UNEP WCMC, in collaboration with
level to on-ground communities;
TAFICOPA and other relevant organizations,
2) A global body or effective enforceable regime for
develop a global database for island biodiversity on
Seamount protection, including the support for a
the level of ecosystems and species in order to
total ban of unregulated high sea bottom trawling;
facilitate decision-making, comparative studies, and
3) The need for the strengthening of national capacity
sharing of homogeneous information.
for follow-up and implementation ,and, in particular,
the lack of access to financial resources;
The Dialogue was guided by brief statements from
4) To recommend that UNEP consider elaborating its
representatives of the UNEP/CBD, Tuvalu on behalf of
`Global Program of Action for the Protection of the
AOSIS, Seychelles, Palau, TAFICOPA, UNEP/CMS,
Marine Environment from Land Based Activities' to
UNESCO/WHC, SPREP, and The Nature Conservancy.
give special attention to the needs of SIDS, and, in
particular, the protection of coral reefs from land
Participants
based sources of pollution.
Jens Ambsdorf, Lighthouse Foundation
With specific reference to the upcoming Eighth
Dominique Benzaken, Coastal and Marine Adviser,
Conference of the Parties (COP8) to the Convention on
Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment
Biological Diversity, it was agreed to recommend that
Programme
Parties to COP8:
Paola Deda, Interagency Liaison Officer, UNEP/
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
a) Adopt a strong Programme of Work on Island
Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Biodiversity;
Christian Depraetere, Member, IUCN/WCPA Taskforce
b) Ensure that the strong links between sustainable
on Island Conservation and Protected Areas
livelihoods and poverty reduction that are
Fathimath Ghina, Assistant Programme Specialist,
fundamental to island conservation are an integral
UNESCO/Coastal and Small Islands
part of the implementation of the Programme of
James Hardcastle, Technical Adviser, Nature Seychelles
Work;
Marjaana Kokkonen, Marine Heritage Specialist,
c) Call upon the GEF during its `Resource Allocation
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Framework' readjustment, should give consideration
Gerald Miles, Senior Adviser/Conservation Finance and
to providing a special window and develop
Policy, The Nature Conservancy
appropriate access and implementation procedures
Rolph Payet, Principal Secretary/Environment,
for SIDS in relation to island biodiversity
Seychelles
conservation;
Margi Prideaux, Global CMS Programme Leader, Whale
d) Take advantage of the opportunity presented within
and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)
the Island Dialogue for community leaders and
Peter Prows, Adviser, Permanent Mission of Palau to the
delegates to identify approaches for partnerships
United Nations
that will advance the conservation and sustainable
Lauren Salm, Marine Programme, UNESCO World
use of island biodiversity;
Heritage Centre
e) Support opportunities offered at the regional level,
HE Enele Sopoaga, Ambassador Permanent Mission of
such as the Island Life Campaign in the Pacific
Tuvalu to the United Nations and Vice Chair of the
Islands Region, to enhance implementation of the
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
conventions programs of work at the national level;
Marjo Vierros, Programme Officer/Marine and Coastal
f) Welcome the `Micronesian Challenge' as an
Biodiversity, Secretariat of the UNEP/Convention on
important contribution to implementing global policy
Biological Diversity
37

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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FOR OCEAN AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT:
MOBILIZING TO ADDRESS NEEDS
Summary prepared by Indumathie Hewawasam, World Bank; Mary
Power, South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission, and Margarita
Astralaga, Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Capacity development for ocean and coastal
regions, including specific steps that need to be taken
management was one of the twelve major topics
to enhance capacity development in each region (see
addressed at the Third Global Conference. Enhancing
reports at http://www.globaloceans.org/capacity/
capacity development in ocean and coastal
index.html). The SIDS experts who prepared the rapid
management is a major concern and priority of
assessments with the support of various governmental
developing countries, small island developing states
and nongovernmental partners, were part of the
(SIDS), and countries with economies in transition. This
conference panel on capacity building.
issue has been a priority theme for discussion at the two
previous Global Conferences, and has been a major
Four rapid assessments (Pacific region, Caribbean
concern of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
region, Indian Ocean region and Atlantic SIDS region)
Islands. The following is intended to provide a summary
were conducted on the specific steps that can be taken
of the formal and informal discussions that took place at
to rapidly implement the Mauritius Strategy in four SIDS
the Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and
regions, including specific steps that need to be taken
Islands dealing with issues in moving forward with
to enhance capacity development in each region
capacity development.
(prepared by local SIDS consultants with the support of
various governmental and nongovernmental partners,
The panel was chaired by Indumathie Hewawasam,
and especially the Global Environment Facility). The
World Bank and Ralph Cantral, National Ocean
assessments are available in the report distributed at the
Service, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Third Global Conference Capacity Building
Administration and included the following panelists:
Assessments in Small Island Developing States in the
Margarita Astralaga, Ramsar Convention Secretariat;
Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, the Atlantic, and the
Awni Behnam, International Ocean Institute; Chua
Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries
Thia-Eng, Partnerships for Environmental Management
(available at http://www.globaloceans.org/).
in the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA); Ehrlich Desa,
UNESCO; Anamarija Frankic, University of
Four analyses were also conducted focusing on
Massachusetts Boston, and Ministry of Culture,
assessment of progress achieved in ocean and coastal
Croatia; James Hardcastle, Nature Seychelles; Robin
management in the major SIDS regions since 1994:
Mahon, Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem
Island Bellwether: Climate Change and Energy
Programme; Franklin McDonald, UNEP Caribbean
Policy Strategy for Small Island Developing States
Programme; Ali Mohamed, New Partnership for Africa's
Toward Mauritius 2005 Paper Series No. 2005-2
Development(NEPAD); Marina N'Deye, Cape Verde;
and Mary Power, South Pacific Applied Geoscience
Small Islands, Large Ocean States: A Review of Ocean
Commission (SOPAC).
and Coastal Management in Small Island
Developing States since the 1994 Barbados
Background
Programme of Action for the Sustainable
In 2005, the Global Forum carried out a number of
Development of Small Island Developing States
analyses related to ocean and coastal management in
(SIDS) Toward Mauritius 2005 Paper Series No.
SIDS countries, including four analyses focused on
2005-1
assessing progress achieved in ocean and coastal
management in the major small island developing States
Global Multilateral Environmental Agreements and
(SIDS) regions since 1994 (see reports at http://
Small Island Developing States Toward Mauritius
www.globaloceans.org/sids/index.html), and rapid
2005 Paper Series No. 2004-2
assessments on the specific steps that can be taken to
Voluntary Partnership Initiatives from the 2002 World
rapidly implement the Mauritius Strategy in four SIDS
Summit on Sustainable Development and Small
38

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Island Developing States Toward Mauritius 2005
resources, through the Global Conference and similar
Paper Series No. 2003-1
`Davos of the Oceans' meetings.
Capacity Building Discussions at the Global
· The following set of principles could guide the
Conference
implementation of capacity building:
The session on capacity building was structured in the
- Improve ability to identify issues (self-driven
form of a panel with one overview presentation and all
capacity-development) ;
panelists serving as resource persons during the ensuing
- Focus on a structured, nation-specific, approach to
discussion. The discussion points generated during this
capacity development;
panel session were captured and further addressed in the
- Improve management skills among people,
subsequent dialogue session.
processes, and institutes;
- Nurture ocean champions and create a critical mass
The session aimed to identify specific capacity
supportive of sustainability.
development needs for further advancing capacity in
ocean and coastal management in developing countries,
· Based on the above principles, some possible first
SIDS, and countries with economies in transition. The
steps of implementation may include:
session was expected to produce specific steps to
- Supporting leadership training at four levels:
advance capacity building in these regions in the next
program directors, practitioners, decision-makers,
year, and a specific plan for mobilization of resources to
and civil society;
get these accomplished.
- Supporting national science and policy leaders to
focus on local priorities;
Panel Session
- Promoting technical skills to prepare and package
The overview, presented by Indumathie Hewawasam of
the demand for sponsors;
the World Bank, chair of the Global Forum's Working
- Supporting advocacy to raise the profile of oceans
Group on Capacity Building, which met in a pre-
locally, nationally and regionally;
conference meeting on January 23, 2006, reported on the
- Mobilizing funds for institutions and processes.
outcome of that meeting and addressed implementation
issues in capacity building, emphasizing the need to
Discussion
define specific first steps to improve implementation of
The following salient points were raised in response to
capacity building initiatives. The overview emphasized
the overview presented:
the following points for discussion:
· There is a need to develop strategies to retain trained
· There is progress in various aspects of capacity
manpower that imparts a sense of ownership by
building in terms of human and institutional capacity at
supporting students to study in local academic
the global level; number of active partnerships; public
institutions.
awareness on the role of the ocean; scientific
· Individual skills should be built in the context of
knowledge and application; stakeholder participation
organizational and societal requirements.
in decision-making; and political will for marine
· There should be a balance of focus to make sure that
governance. However, progress in these areas could
the elements of capacity development as well as its
not catch up with the increasing capacity required to
broad goals are met through multi-level, needs-based
meet the goals of sustainability, which remains a
strategy.
moving target, as evidenced by:
· Current capacity seems to be operating at optimum
level although there is a lag between skills required
- Accelerating degradation from population pressures;
and training programs.
- Increase in the complexity of issues;
· There is a need to focus on developing leadership at
- Decreasing levels of funds relative to the number/
the decision-maker level since they make the major
complexity of issues;
difference, through training programs that are adapted
- Lack of appreciation of the long-haul, multi-layered,
to site-specific language and issues.
multi-institutional aspects of capacity development;
· A critical mass in support of various issues is essential
- Difficulty in accepting the reality of "one shoe does
to help local civil society engage in the management
not fit all" particularly among regions, such as the
process.
SIDS regions.
· The strategy proposed, being an issue-based process,
· The moving target of sustainability can be achieved by
needs specific details in order to make it happen:
stimulating ocean-related capacity-development
what, when, who, and where. For example, leadership
through promotion of partnerships and mobilization of
training for SIDS decision makers; university-based
39

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academic programs in marine policy; training on
There is a need to bring capacity development down to
oceans issues for the media; replication of successful
the grass roots, to the community level and find ways to
capacity development programs such as the U.S.
empower local communities to engage in the dialogue
National Sea Grant College Program; and working with
(with government and the private sector) and to establish
partners who have funding.
mechanisms for their participation. Existing programmes
· Always assess local needs before starting a capacity
need to be reviewed to ensure that communities are
development program aimed at developing local
empowered to find their own solutions to problems.
entrepreneurs.
· A regional approach to capacity development should
Transparency and accountability are significant issues in
be encouraged in small developing countries that do
terms of community empowerment and participation as
not have a critical mass of trained human resources.
well as equity in resource allocation and benefit sharing.
· South-South cooperation in capacity development
There is a need to make government processes more
should be encouraged.
transparent in relation to resource access arrangements
· Lessons learned from successful partnerships should
and contracts with third parties, particularly in the oil and
be documented, including ways by which local needs
gas industry, and in fisheries.
in capacity building are met and the major skills
There is a need to improve the way by which the message
required.
about the oceans is communicated across to various
· There is a need to harmonize the capacity development
audiences, particularly in translating science and policy
initiatives of all major players working in major
into a language that communities can understand and in
agencies.
reaching the younger generation in order to create an
· There is a need for synergy among various efforts that
informed public. Developing environmental curricula in
address cross-cutting issues in post-conflict
national languages and school kits on ocean/coastal
situations, e.g., the tsunami disaster in Asia.
governance issues are some examples.
Dialogue Session on Next Steps
In many cases there may be merit in taking the regional
The dialogue session which followed the panel session
approach to addressing skills shortages as it may not be
in the afternoon of January 26 focused more broadly on
feasible for each SIDS country to support the required
how to go about implementing existing activities and
skills base in government and ocean governance.
projects in capacity development in more efficient and
effective ways.
Specific Steps for the Global Forum for the
Next Year
At issue is not just the start up of capacity development
initiatives but also capacity mobilization, which is the
Discussions have been initiated regarding the
optimization of the use of existing capacity and creating
development of a capacity development program for
the environment and incentives to ensure capacity
senior executives of SIDS countries with a focus on ocean
retention, through various means, such as promotion of
governance and strategy/policy development. Another
indigenous regional capacity, development of community
approach that is also being pursued is the improvement of
associations, and enlisting the involvement of
South-South partnerships in developing capacity in ocean
governments as well as the private sector.
and coastal management education especially through
strengthening of the ocean and coastal management
It is critical that needs assessments and capacity
curriculum of the SIDS University Consortium.
stocktaking be carried out in order to have targeted
efforts that use appropriate approaches. A capacity
For the next Global Conference, it would be opportune to
development framework answers the practical questions:
organize a "Young Professionals" forum in order to bring
in a group of early career professionals from the various
- What is the training about?
regions to take part in the Summit and also to establish
- Who are to be trained and for what?
their own peer network. This is considered important
- Where and how often should the training be
since the next generation of oceans entrepreneurs need to
conducted?
be engaged to actively participate in dealing with the
- How much funding is needed to support the training
oceans agenda.
program?
- What are the funding sources?
Both initiatives can help in setting up a professional cadre
- How to make it happen?
of "movers and shakers" in ocean issues, through the
development of new academic and other capacity
development programmes in participating universities and
organizations such as the Pew Fellows on Ocean and
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Marine Affairs, the UN Goodwill Ambassadors, "OPEC"
James Hardcastle, Nature Seychelles
Ocean Policy Entrepreneurs Club, and the capacity
Robin Mahon, Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem
development programme of UNCTAD.
Programme
Developing a media training program for journalists in
Bernice McLean, South Africa
SIDS regions to sensitize them to ocean issues;
Shavhani Mukwevho, Ministry of Environmental Affairs
developing educational materials on tsunamis and other
and Tourism, South Africa
natural hazards; supporting IOI courses on oceans
Mary Power, South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
issues; and promoting the use of the Ocean Portal
(SOPAC)
(www.oceanportal.org) are also among the specific
Judith Priam, Universite de Versailles St. Quentin, France
recommendations put forward for the Global Forum.
LaVerne Walker, Coastal Zone Management Unit, St. Lucia
Nguyen Viet Thang
Pre-conference Meeting of the Task Force on Capacity
Development: 23 January 2006
Dialogue Session: Next Steps in Capacity
Chair: Indumathie Hewawasam, World Bank
Development: 26 January, 2006
Co-Chairs:
Participants:
Margarita Astralaga, Ramsar Convention
Akinlabi Awobamise, Federal Ministry of Environment,
Mary Power, SOPAC
Nigeria
Miriam Balgos, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands
Participants:
Awni Behnam, International Ocean Institute
Miriam Balgos, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
Victor Manuel Borges, Ministry of Fisheries,
Islands
Mozambique
Rhoda Ballinger, Cardiff University
Chua Thia-Eng, Chua Thia-Eng, Partnerships for
Chua Thia-Eng, PEMSEA
Environmental Management in the Seas of East Asia
Ehrlich Desa, UNESCO
(PEMSEA)
Salif Diop, UNEP
Nguyen Chu Hoi, Vietnam Institute of Fisheries Economic
Anamarija Frankic, University of Massachusetts Boston,
and Planning, Ministry of Fisheries, Vietnam
and Ministry of Culture, Croatia
Bruno Correard, Carrefour Group, France
Robin Mahon, Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem
Carlos Costa, Embassy of Mozambique in France
Programme
Jordi Galofre, Coastal Directorate, Ministry of Environment,
Franklin McDonald, UNEP Caribbean Programme
Spain
Cesar Toro, IOC Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and
Domingos Z. Goue, Fisheries Research Institute,
Adjacent Regions
Mozambique
Timothy Stojanovic, Cardiff University
Marina N'Deye, Cape Verde
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
THE TSUNAMI DISASTER AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS:
ONE YEAR LATER
Summary prepared by Stefano Belfiore
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO
The Global Conference considered the issue of tsunami
Ezio Bussoletti, Italian Delegation to UNESCO; and
and disaster preparedness, using the goals of: reviewing
Stefano Belfiore, Intergovernmental Oceanographic
progress achieved and obstacles faced in the process of
Commission, UNESCO. Participants included: Lahsen
reconstruction and the development of capacities for
Ababouch, Chief, Fish Utilization and Marketing
disaster preparedness in the countries of the Indian
Services, FAO; Bernardo Aliaga, Intergovernmental
Ocean affected by the tsunami of 26 December 2005;
Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO; Russell
learning lessons on reasons why some coastal
Arthurton, Consultant, Coastal Geoscience and formerly
communities may have fared better than others in the
British Geological Survey; Alessandra Cavaletti, Italian
tsunami disaster (e.g., use of building codes, coastal
Ministry of Environment and Territory; Bernhard
protection measures, public education, etc.); and
Glaeser, Social Science Research Center, Berlin;
examining progress with the establishment of tsunami
Marion Glaser, Center for Tropical Marine Ecology;
warning and mitigation systems in four main regions of
Stefano Tinti, Chair, Intergovernmental Coordination
the world (Indian Ocean, Pacific, North Eastern
Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Monitoring
Atlantic, Mediterranean and connected seas,
System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the
Caribbean). The expected outcome from the panel was
Mediterranean, and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS);
further opportunities and next steps for mainstreaming
and Uli Wolf, Intergovernmental Oceanographic
an integrated, multi-hazard approach to address
Commission, UNESCO.
vulnerability, risk assessment and disaster management,
including public awareness, prevention, mitigation,
Challenges in Reconstruction
alerts, preparedness and response into the global ocean
The panel addressed progress with respect to (a) the
and coastal agenda, in particular into strategic, long-
process of reconstruction and the development of
term coastal planning.
capacities for disaster preparedness in the countries of
the Indian Ocean; and (b) the establishment of regional
The panel was co-chaired by: William Brennan, Deputy
early warning systems for tsunamis and other marine
Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, United
hazards in four regions of the world and their
States National Oceanic and Atmospheric
contribution to a global system. The panel also
Administration (NOAA); and François Schindelé, former
considered challenges and opportunities for enhancing
Chair, Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the
mitigation of marine hazards and lessons learned from
Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the
coastal disasters in the last year. The role of the IOC and
Indian Ocean (ICG/IOTWS). Panel participants
the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)
included: Maitree Duangsawasdi, Director General,
and other organizations was commended in developing
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry
and coordinating early warning systems for tsunamis and
of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand;
other marine hazards.
Franklin McDonald, UNEP Adviser, former Director,
Jamaican National Environment and Planning Agency,
A review was given of the progress of reconstruction and
and former Project Manager, Pan-Caribbean Disaster
rehabilitation in the areas affected by the December 2004
Preparedness and Prevention Project; Russell
tsunami in Thailand. This process has involved the
Arthurton, Consultant, Coastal Geoscience, and
creation of emergency relief centers and important
formerly British Geological Survey; Lahsen Ababouch;
operations of beach clean up and forest and coral reefs
Chief, Fish Utilization and Marketing Services, FAO;
restoration. Resorts have been restored as best as
and Stefano Tinti, Chair, Intergovernmental
possible and water resources have been rehabilitated.
Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and
Measurement of water quality is also showing
Monitoring System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the
improvements. Thailand is actively engaged in the
Mediterranean and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS).
establishment of an early warning system for multiple
marine hazards and new approaches to coastal planning
The dialogue session was led by: Arvind Anil Boaz,
and management. This includes the installation of buoys
South Asia Co-Operative Environmental Programme;
and warning-news broadcast towers, medium- and long-
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term environmental impact assessments for coastal
determine the susceptibility of specific coasts to
infrastructure, recovery of livelihoods in the coastal zone,
inundation by extreme waves.
rehabilitation of the lifeline of mangroves and coastal
forests, and the adoption of ecosystem-based
Generally no effective warning systems were in place at
management.
the time of the 26 December 2004 event, even though for
several countries the lead-times were sufficiently long
Progress Achieved and Obstacles Faced After
enough for emergency evacuations to have been
the Tsunami of 26 December 2004 in the
successful. The case of Kenya was an exception where
Indian Ocean ­ A Regional Overview
the local police were mobilized and provided warnings
to coastal communities. Indigenous knowledge amongst
Clean-up and reconstruction operations are now well
the population of the Nicobar Islands is reported to
advanced in many of the worst affected impact sites.
have been instrumental in the small number of casualties
However, the clean-up operations have themselves
sustained there. This type of knowledge needs to be
created many additional problems. The haphazard
mainstreamed in the education and training of coastal
disposal of waste and debris has led to the degradation
communities in susceptible areas.
or destruction of sensitive ecosystems. Relief camps
have also been sited in sensitive ecological areas. The
The need for well-coordinated emergency plans to be in
high demand for timber for reconstruction of settlements
place and rehearsed by local authorities and
and boatbuilding has caused local destruction of coastal
communities are paramount, though the difficulty of
forests and woodlands.
maintaining the necessary level of awareness over the
long-term (perhaps several generations) is
Some progress has been made with the rehabilitation of
acknowledged. The need for nations and local
coral reefs where these have not become exposed, but
authorities to establish strategic land-use planning and
soil degradation and the pollution and disruption of
implementation in the context of integrated coastal
water supplies from coastal aquifers are still widespread.
management is strongly accepted.
Desalination plants have been installed on some of the
islands.
Fisheries
Although there has been a rapid and generous response
Progress and challenges were addressed in rebuilding
to the replacement of destroyed fishing boats and gear,
fisheries in Indian Ocean countries affected by the
there are concerns that the number of vessels are now in
tsunami. From Indonesia to Somalia and Yemen, an
excess of those pre-tsunami and that this is leading to
estimated 35,000 fishermen died. The direct loss to the
overcapacity, putting even more pressure on already
fishery sector amounted to US $520 million, with 111,000
dwindling fish stocks in coastal waters. Opportunities for
boats and 1.7 million of fishing gear units destroyed.
co-management do not appear to have been taken. There
FAO made a flash appeal for reconstruction and
is also concern over the safety of many of the rapidly
rehabilitation of the sector and currently 45 projects on
built boats because of poor construction methods. There
fisheries, agriculture, and forestry have been launched
have been serious problems of coordination of the relief
totaling $55 million with 20 more projects in the pipeline.
effort with so many different organizations with no
60-70% of these projects concern fisheries and
fisheries technical background involved. There have
aquaculture, and generous contributions have been
been significant differences in the guidelines used by the
provided by FAO, Japan, Norway, Germany, UK, Italy,
various actors resulting in confusion and wasted or
Canada, Belgium, Spain, Sweden and EU. Developing
duplicated effort.
countries such as China, Palau, Algeria, and Zambia
have also contributed. FAO has developed a strategic
Lessons Learned - Why Some Communities
framework and a 5-year plan of action for the
Fared Better
reconstruction and rehabilitation of the fisheries sector.
The severity of the impact on affected coasts has varied
Lessons learned from the past year include: the need to
considerably according to the specific physical
adopt a community-based approach and involve
parameters of the shores, such as facing direction,
beneficiaries and stakeholders from the earliest stages
headland protection, the nearshore shoaling, funneling,
of the process; the need to improve coordination of
etc.; also the existence of barriers such as strongly
stakeholders (UN agencies, NGOs, governments, direct
founded buildings, mature trees, etc. at the backshore or
beneficiaries); and the need for proper technical advice.
on beach plains. As part of the process of risk
Good governance and accountability should go hand in
assessment there is a need for detailed mapping of the
hand with procurement and operations. For example,
nearshore, foreshore, and backshore zones in order to
well over 125 NGOs are now operating in Banda Aceh,
and it has been estimated that funds for fisheries have
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vulnerability of the coastal population. Options to
2007, with the planning stage complete by the end of 2006.
respond to hazards include partially reducing
Because of the near-field nature of tsunami impacts in the
susceptibility to inundation and primarily reducing
Mediterranean, there may be a need for more than one
vulnerability of coastal communities. The first can be
Warning Centre.
achieved by hard and soft engineering solutions and
regulating human activities that exacerbate susceptibility.
During the discussion, the issue of the participation and
The second can be achieved by preparedness, better
role of NGOs in the development and operation of early
communication links at the global and local levels, and
warning systems for marine multihazards was raised jointly
mobilizing contingency resources. More importantly,
with the issue of communication and distribution of
vulnerability can be reduced through strategic measures:
powers among concerned institutions.
introducing strategic planning, adapting to a changing
Recommendations
physical environment, recognizing vulnerability of
The discussion group acknowledged a lack of clarity in
expanding urban areas, and weighing livelihood
the expected goals of the EWSs ­ whether the systems
opportunities against vulnerability. People can contribute
should in all cases be expected eventually to cope with
to vulnerability through employment opportunities,
storm surges as well as tsunami hazards. In many parts of
poverty, indifference (lack of awareness to risk), fading
the world, storm surges by far constituted the greater risk.
memories of catastrophes, and resistance to evacuation.
Was a multihazard system one that coped with tsunamis
Hazard mitigation strategies concern the credibility and
and storm surges, or simply one that coped with tsunamis
effectiveness of risk assessment and the
from different types of tsunamigenic sources ­ seismic,
appropriateness, feasibility, affordability, and
volcanic, landslide? This is an area to be resolved. While
sustainability of the response. A number of global
a truly multihazard system is ideal, it is acknowledged that
lessons can be learned from the coastal catastrophic
setting these up may take some time. There was an
events of the last years: coastal populations are
immediate need to put in place systems that coped with
vulnerable to storm surges and extreme waves; surge and
the tsunami hazard.
extreme wave events have recurrent costs on country
economies; developed countries do not necessarily have
The assessment of risk is an area where the science
effective emergency responses; strategic planning and
community can make (and is making) a major contribution.
development are key responses in reducing vulnerability,
Deepwater and fine-scale coastal modeling can make a
especially in coastal cities and mega cities; standards of
major contribution and it is felt that there is scope for
protection need continual monitoring and maintenance;
much improved integration and coordination of modeling
warning systems must be in place at global to local
efforts and initiatives. Susceptibility mapping including
scales; and emergency plans must be tested, resourced,
integrated high resolution bathymetric and topographic
and implemented.
survey is certainly achievable and needs to be addressed
as a matter of urgency with respect to storm surge as well
Establishment and Maintenance of Early
as tsunami hazards. This will require financial resources.
Warning Systems: Regional Perspectives
The need to focus efforts on coasts with a high socio-
Pacific: The System has been reorganized with more
economic importance was accepted. There is also a need
island states added. There are still some gaps as well as a
to be aware of the rapid changes in population, and thus
need to have instrumentation optimized with the addition
potential vulnerability, in the coastal areas, particularly
of more sea-level stations. The System is providing
with respect to the growth of coastal mega cities.
assistance to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean TWS.
A priority regarding communication is to get high
Caribbean: This is a Multi-Hazard system coping with
resolution, real time data to warning centers. There is also
storm surges as well as tsunamis. Puerto Rico is set to
a need for a dedicated channel for disaster management.
take over from Hawaii as the Regional Warning Centre.
Efforts should also be made to conserve, and wherever
Indian Ocean: The IOTWS is scheduled to be in place
possible, rehabilitate mangroves, sand dunes, and coral
by September 2007, handling tsunamis only. An initial
reefs that afford a natural barrier to tsunamis and storm
system should be in place by the end of 2006. Hopefully,
surges.
the system will also eventually be used for storm surges.
There are several Regional Warning Centres but no
Regarding long-term education and planning, there are
single Centre has been agreed.
many basic measures that can be undertaken without great
cost. The inclusion of hazard awareness and emergency
NE Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Connected Seas: An
procedures should become standard in the education of
initial system is projected to be in place by the end of
coastal communities where a high risk is acknowledged.
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created a 25% overcapacity with respect to the pre-
PTWS is also assisting in the implementation of
tsunami conditions, which were already beyond
comprehensive mitigation programmes. Tsunami risks are
sustainability. This creates the risk that traditional critical
being reduced by facilitating technology transfer through
factors in fisheries will be exacerbated and developed to
expert missions and conducting training programmes and
overcapacity. Challenges are also posed by the
guidance on tsunamis and tsunami warning. The ICG is
introduction of inappropriate types of gear and boats
also engaged in the development and creation of
that do not meet fisheries safety standards.
educational and awareness materials in local contexts and
acting as a clearinghouse for the distribution of these
Establishment of Warning Systems
materials globally in multiple languages, as well as
Progress and challenges posed by the establishment of
gathering and documenting information on tsunami
early warning systems for tsunamis in the Mediterranean
events. Through these programmes, ITIC cooperates with
region were reviewed. The Intergovernmental
other ICGs and interested stakeholders to increase
Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and
awareness and facilitate coordination to implement
Monitoring System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the
regional tsunami warning centers and raise the level of
Mediterranean, and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS)
community engagement and empowerment that is essential
was established at the end of 2005 to integrate the
for an effective response to tsunami warnings and
existing seismographic detection networks with real-time
immediate response to local tsunamis. The key point in the
sea-level networks to be upgraded from existing ones.
establishment and implementation of tsunami warning
Several national and local warning systems under
systems is putting together tsunami scientists,
development will be fully integrated into this initiative.
governments, NGOs, and emergency managers to work
Nations committed themselves to working toward
toward a common planning and strategy that would
upgrading legislation and existing detection systems and
benefit from a variety of fields and expertise.
develop integrated national emergency preparedness and
awareness plans. The Intergovernmental Coordination
The degree of susceptibility and vulnerability to coastal
Group will work toward the formulation of a complete
hazards in the Caribbean region where there are records of
plan of action by December 2006, including the
numerous tsunamis and related fatalities were presented.
implementation of trials for key components of the early
Through the work of IOCARIBE and UNEP, a more
warning system, with the aim of having an initial
integrated approach to coastal zone management is being
operational system in place by December 2007. Such a
adopted in the region, incorporating coastal inundation
system is needed in regions--the Mediterranean and the
considerations. At the beginning of 2006, the
Northeast Atlantic--where there are numerous tsunami
Intergovernmental Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami
sources and historical records. Such sources, including
and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the
earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions may
Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARTWS)
cause catastrophic events in major coastal cities such as
was established. The Caribbean early warning system aims
Lisbon, Naples, Messina, Istanbul, Heraklion, and Cairo.
to provide timely and accurate forecasts and warnings of
Most of the sources are very close to the coast and
coastal flooding and associated hazards due to tsunamis,
tsunamis may hit in a few minutes, exceeding the current
storm surges, and hurricanes, and it is expected to be
ability for warning based on the national and regional
operational by the end of 2006 as a system of coastal
real-time seismic, monitoring networks installed in the
sensors, many of which are already in place. In the region,
area.
the most reliable warning system has a delay of 20
minutes, but marine and coastal hazards may have a
Activities on the conduct and implementation of the
shorter travel time. Safety of coastal communities cannot
renamed ICG/PTWS, which was set up in 2005, were
depend only on sensors but also requires improvement of
presented. A task team has been established to convene
public awareness, enhanced governance and coordination
a tsunami exercise in May 2006, and working groups have
among institutions, and innovative partnerships among
been set up on seismic measurements, including: data
governments, the scientific community, and civil society.
collection and exchange; sea-level measurements,
including data collection and exchange; tsunami hazard
Hazard mitigation strategies, including long-term coastal
identification and characterization, including modeling,
planning, were presented. The review centered on the
prediction and scenario development; resilience building
concerns posed by hazards, including both extreme
and emergency management; and interoperability of
catastrophic events and long-term, incremental hazards.
regional, sub-regional and national tsunami warning
The focus of hazard assessment should be on the
systems in the Pacific. Through the activities of the
incidence of hazard events at local to regional scales, the
International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC), the ICG/
susceptibility of coasts to inundation, and the
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Community involvement is essential. A priority should be
people aware of the risks involved in living in areas
placed on strategic land-use planning and
susceptible to inundation. The assessment of risk by the
implementation in the context of integrated coastal
scientific community should, above all, be realistic ­
management. The realities of essential livelihoods and
national governments and local authorities will need to be
poverty should be considered in this respect and all
convinced of risk and this may be difficult to achieve
reasonable steps taken by local authorities to make
where events are few and far between.
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
ISSUES RELATED TO MARINE AREAS BEYOND
NATIONAL JURISDICTION: CO-CHAIRS' REPORT
Summary prepared by Salvatore Arico, UNESCO
and Alfonso Ascencio Herrera, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN
During the Third Global Conference, several new and
ideas expressed during the panel and dialogue
emerging issues were addressed, including issues
sessions would stand on equal footing;
related to governance of marine areas beyond national
· the Session aimed at stating what we know and
jurisdiction. The following is intended to provide a
where we are with regard to the issues involved;
reflection of the discussions that took place at the
and
session dealing with issues in marine areas beyond
· it was also intended to be an exercise to collect
national jurisdiction at the Conference.
views.
The Session was structured in the form of one panel and
Although the Panel was termed "Improving High Seas
two dialogue sessions. It was the outcome of the
Governance," in reality it covered broader issues
collective efforts by members of the Working Group that
relating to marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.
was set up prior to the Conference to help structure the
This was based on the fact that the 1982 Convention on
Session and the Conference participants that attended
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a specific regime
it. Their contribution is recognized and much
for the high seas in Part VII of the Convention, while the
appreciated.
international seabed area, or the "Area" ­ term used in
The panel was co-chaired by Mr. Alfonso Ascencio
the Convention ­ is governed by Part XI of the
Herrera of the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the
Convention, as elaborated by the 1994 Agreement
United Nations and by Dr. Salvatore Arico of UNESCO.
relating to the Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS.
Presenters included the co-chairs as well as Professor
The Panel featured presentations on:
Tullio Scovazzi, Università degli Studi di Milano,
Bicocca, Italy; Mr. Alex Rogers, British Antarctic
· general trends in marine scientific research and in
Survey; Ms. Lee Kimball, IUCN-The World Conservation
bioprospecting in the deep seabed, noting a shift
Union; Dr. Vladimir Golitsyn, UN Division for Ocean
from geophysical expeditions to ecological,
Affairs and the Law of the Sea; Ms. Marjo Vierros,
biological and bioprospecting ones;
Convention on Biological Diversity; Mrs. Norma Taylor
· trends in scientific discoveries in the deep oceans,
Roberts, Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United
noting the high degree of diversity found on
Nations and Dr. Frida Armas-Pfirter, Austral University,
seamounts and other deep ocean ecosystems;
Argentina. The related dialogue sessions were chaired
· current scientific knowledge on the vulnerability of
by Dr. David VanderZwaag, Dalhousie University and
certain marine ecosystems;
Mr. Michael Lodge, High Seas Task Force, and included
· gaps in knowledge and the need for further studies
presentations from contributors Ms. Fernanda Millicay,
on scientific, legal and socioeconomic aspects ­
Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Fellowship on the Law of
among others;
the Sea, Dr. David Leary, Centre for Environmental Law,
· uncertainties regarding the definition of and regime
Macquarie University, and Ms. Kristina Gjerde, IUCN.
for bioprospecting and its relationship to marine
scientific research in the international seabed area,
Principles guiding the work related to session were that:
and the legal status of the biodiversity of the deep
· it was not intended and should not be a negotiating
seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction and
session;
ways to address these uncertainties;
· it was intended to be an educational process for all
· the potential of UNCLOS in dealing with issues
participants;
related to marine areas beyond national jurisdiction,
· it was intended to contribute towards a better
including the possibility to strengthen UNCLOS;
understanding of the various issues involved;
· the role of existing organizations and bodies,
· it would not lead to a policy statement;
including the role of the United Nations General
· participants would operate on the basis that they did
Assembly;
not need to reach consensus, which meant that all
· the need to rely on recognized common principles to
move the discussions forward; and
47

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· the need to further discuss ways and means for the
areas beyond national jurisdiction, the following points
possible establishment of marine protected areas in
were discussed:
areas beyond national jurisdiction.
· Differences of opinions about what principles
Although both dialogue sessions, 1) Deep Seabed
should be guiding bioprospecting in areas beyond
Genetic Resources, and 2) High Seas Fisheries
national jurisdiction e.g. freedom of use as opposed
Governance, dealt with issues related to marine areas
to common heritage of humankind;
beyond national jurisdiction, those issues were dealt with
· There also are differences of opinions on:
in their own merit, so as not to prejudge possible
o what bioprospecting really covers, recognizing
connections between those issues.
that there is no internationally agreed definition
In relation with high seas fisheries, the following points
of it (In this regard, it was also mentioned that in
were discussed:
practice distinctions between marine scientific
research and bioprospecting were blurred since it
· Opportunities for improving high seas fisheries
was difficult to ascertain the "intent" from the
governance:
beginning);
o the role of the High Seas Task Force in dealing
o whether a new international regulatory framework
with Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fisheries,
is required;
whose report will be launched in early March, and
o it remains uncertain at this point what are the
future steps;
institutional and legal ways for dealing with
o the UN Fish Stock Agreement Review Conference
bioprospecting beyond national jurisdiction;
and related outcomes;
(Some mentioned that UNCLOS is the starting
o emphasis was put on the situation of discrete high
point for discussions on these issues)
seas fish stocks, including ways to manage them;
· Next steps could include:
o the review of measures taken by Regional
o facilitating further constructive dialogue sessions
Fisheries Management Organizations and States
to promote understanding of differing
regarding destructive fishing practices in
perspectives and exploring options for moving
vulnerable marine ecosystems, with particular
forward;
emphasis on the inputs to, and mechanisms for
o launching key studies in support of cooperation
discussion at, that process;
e.g.:
· That strong sectoral governance nested within a
· examination of ways to address environmental
broader framework is key to addressing the WSSD
consequences of bioprospecting;
fisheries targets;
· Studies on the nature and operation of public/
· That governance objectives for high seas fisheries
academic- private marine biotechnology
should include:
partnerships,
o eliminating Illegal Unreported and Unregulated
· study of patents already granted to genetic
fishing (as called for in the WSSD goals);
resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction
o improving regional governance arrangements i.e.
and other intellectual property rights;
Regional Fisheries Management Organizations;
· the role of international legal principles in
o bringing unregulated high seas fisheries under
addressing bioprospecting in areas beyond
international governance;
national jurisdiction (Some participants referred
o applying the precautionary approach;
to equitable use, sustainable use, environmental
o applying ecosystem-based management principles
impact assessments, cooperation at all levels);
in order to combine high seas fisheries with
· a review of international legal and institutional
broader biodiversity considerations;
options for managing activities connected to
o the need for cooperation and coordination
marine biodiversity of the international seabed
approaches between Regional Fisheries
area, including binding and non- binding
Management Organizations and international
approaches (Some referred specifically, as non-
processes;
binding approaches, the conclusion of codes of
o the need for coastal States, market States, port
conduct, while others favoured mandatory
States and beneficial owners to work together.
approaches based on existing legal principles/
frameworks);
In order to deal with issues relating to the conservation
· survey of adequacy of existing national legal and
and sustainable use of deep seabed genetic resources in
institutional frameworks for controlling national
and state flag vessels engaged in marine
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scientific research/bioprospecting in areas
*Miriam Balgos, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and
beyond national jurisdiction;
Islands
· the scale of bioprospecting;
Richard Ballhorn, Legal Bureau, Foreign Affairs Canada,
o strengthening capacity- building , e.g. targeted
Ottawa
training/ learning sessions on key topics such as
Dominique Benzaken, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional
understanding of intellectual property rights and
Environmental Programme
patent issues, understanding the socioeconomics
Sergio R. Carranza Forster, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the industry and environmental effects,
and Cooperation, Spain
understanding legal dimensions and scientific
Lucien Chabason, Institute de Development Durable,
aspects;
Paris
o promoting scientific cooperation;
*Leif Christoffersen, Diversa Corporation
o considering different ways of moving forward
*Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts,
ensuring that bioprospecting is linked to broader
and Islands
discussions e.g. the possible establishment of
Alexandre De Lichtervelde, Federal Ministry of
marine protected areas in areas beyond national
Environment, Belgium
jurisdiction;
Michel Dion, ORTHONGEL
o exploring opportunities for existing organizations to
*Fanny Douvere, UNESCO
assist in these steps.
*Sylvia Earle, Conservation International
Elizabethann English, National Oceanic and
A concrete outcome of the Session as a whole was that
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US
this process was very useful in terms of creating a
*Martin Exel, Austral Fisheries
cooperative environment for dialogue and joint work. In
*Anne Frenette, Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
that regard, there was a strong sentiment to continue
Canada
sharing information informally; continue floating ideas
Patricia Gallaugher, Simon Fraser University
regarding all the aspects of the topics, including areas on
*Serge Garcia, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
which further studies are needed; and continue the
*Matthew Gianni, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
analytical work and research in order to fill gaps in
*Kristina Gjerde, The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
knowledge. It should be stressed that this will be an
*Vladimir Golitsyn, UN Division for Ocean Affairs and
open-ended and flexible approach, and that everyone is
the Law of the Sea
welcome to join in.
Sarah Gotheil, The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
The Co-Chairs thank all participants and contributors for
Michel Goujon, CNPMEM
their help, which was essential in making the Session a
Alistair Graham, WWF-International
success and the Organizers of the Conference ­ indeed a
Arthur Gray, Organization of Eastern Caribbean States
very important and successful one ­ for their guidance,
*Fred Grassle, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences,
assistance and encouragement.
Rutgers University
Barbara Hanchard, Forum Fisheries Agency
Working Group Members and Participants in
Margaret Hayes, Department of State, US
Discussions Related to Issues of Marine Areas Beyond
Olive Heffernan, ImarEST
National Jurisdiction at the Third Global Conference on
*Arlo Hemphill, Conservation International
Oceans, Coasts and Islands
Andrew Hurd, The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Co-Chairs
Andrew Hurst, Environment Canada
*Salvatore Arico, UNESCO
*Elie Jarmache, Prime Minister's Office, France
*Alfonso Ascencio Herrera, Permanent Mission of
*Sam Johnston, Institute of Advanced Studies, United
Mexico to the UN
Nations University (UNU-IAS)
Working Group Members and Conference Session
*Kim Juniper, University of Montreal at Quebec
Participants
Konstantinos Kalamantis, European Bureau for
Tim Adams, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Conservation and Development
Ellik Adler, UNEP-Regional Seas Programme
*Lee Kimball, The World Conservation Union (IUCN)
Porfirio Alvarez, SEMARNAT - Mexico
Armand Kokolo, Ministere des Transports Maritimes et
Joe Arbour, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
de la Marine Marchande (Congo)
*Frida Armas-Pfirter, Austral University, Argentina
Peter Koltermann, BSH Hamburg, Germany
*Robert Baldi, Department for Environment, Food, and
Tom Laughlin, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Rural Affairs, UK
Administration (NOAA), US
49

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*David Leary, Centre for Environmental Law, Macquarie
*Alex Rogers, British Antarctic Survey
University
Mario Ruivo, National Council on Environment and
*Michael Lodge, High Seas Task Force
Sustainable Development (Portugal)
Christy Loper, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
*Karen Sack, Greenpeace International
Administration (NOAA), US
Francesca Santoro, University of Italy
*Eric Mathur, Diversa Corporation
*Renée Sauvé, Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
Fernanda Millicay, Amerasinghe Fellowship
Canada
Sebastian Moncorps, IUCN French Committee
Carl-Christian Schmidt, OECD
*Jennifer Mooney, Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
Tullio Scovazzi, University of Milano-Bicocca
Canada
Despina Symons, European Bureau for Conservation
Patricia Muñoz, Instituto Politecnico Nacional ­Mexico
and Development
*Daniel Owen, Fenners Chambers, United Kingdom
*Norma Taylor Roberts, Permanent Mission of Jamaica
Carol Phua, WWF European Policy Office
to the UN
Roland Pittar, Australia Embassy, Paris
*Chris Tompkins, Department for Environment, Food,
Ann Powers, Pace University Law School
and Rural Affairs, UK
Margi Prideaux, Whale and Dolphin Conservation
*David VanderZwaag, Dalhousie University
Society
*Monica Verbeek, Seas at Risk
Peter Prows, Permanent Mission of Palau to the UN
*Marjo Vierros, Convention on Biological Diversity
*Jean-Francois Pulvenis, Food and Agriculture
(CBD)
Organization (FAO)
*LaVerne Walker, St. Lucia
*Gaile Ramoutar, Trinidad and Tobago
*Lindsey Williams, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts,
*Rosemary Rayfuse, University of New South Wales
and Islands
Saskia Richartz, Greenpeace European Unit
Jennifer Winston, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Peter Ricketts, UBC Okanagan
Administration (NOAA), US
*Lori Ridgeway, Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
Canada
* Working Group Member
Silva Ritossa, IUCN French Committee
50

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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
CLIMATE AND OCEANS
Summary prepared by Magdalena A.K. Muir, Research Associate,
Arctic Institute of North America
The Global Conference considered the issue of climate
intensity of tropical cyclones and hurricanes.
and oceans, exploring the effects climate change may
Understanding the role of the oceans as a regulator of
have on the world's oceans, coasts, and islands, with an
the earth's climate system is also increasing. The oceans
emphasis on ocean acidification, carbon sequestration,
control the timing and magnitude of changes in the
Arctic change, and sea level change. The expected
global climate system, primarily through the absorption
outcomes for the panel included consideration of policy
of carbon dioxide and heat. Other climate impacts
implications of wide-ranging effects of climate change
include arctic sea ice reduction, cyclonic storms,
on marine and coastal environments and on coastal
changes in ocean circulation, and changes in
populations and economies; and whether an
biodiversity and fisheries.
"observatory" function, linking emerging scientific
findings to analyses of attendant policy issues related to
In 2005, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
climate and oceans/ coasts/islands might be needed.
presented a special report on carbon dioxide
sequestration. It found that storing captured carbon
The panel was chaired by Robert Corell, Chair, Arctic
dioxide in geological formations is a mature technology.
Climate Impact Assessment. Panel participants
Ocean storage, or the direct release into the ocean water
included: Ambassador Gunnar Pálsson, Director,
column or onto the deep seafloor, has been researched
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
less. This storage option is less permanent than
Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iceland; Halldór
geological storage and significant uncertainty remains
Thorgeirsson, Deputy Executive Secretary, UN
on ecosystem impacts. Oceans have slowed the build up
Framework Convention on Climate Change
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by acting as a sink
(UNFCCC); Ambassador Enele Sopoaga, Tuvalu, Vice-
for carbon dioxide. Recent evidence suggests that this
Chair, AOSIS, and Permanent Representative of the
carbon absorption has its limits and is resulting in
Mission of Tuvalu to the UN; John Shepherd, Tyndall
acidification of the oceans.
Centre Regional Associate Director, Southampton
Oceanography Centre; Ellina Levina, Climate Change
The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment Scientific Report
Analyst, Environment Directorate, Organization for
documents climatic changes in the circumpolar Arctic.
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and
One of the key findings suggests that the Arctic has
Magdalena Muir, Research Associate, Arctic Institute of
been warming rapidly with much larger changes
North America.
projected for the future. Increasing temperatures,
melting glaciers, reductions in the extent and thickness
Climate Change Science
of sea ice, thawing permafrost, and rising sea level
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will
illustrate this warming trend. In the Arctic, changes in
present the Fourth Assessment Report to the 13th
sea ice are a key indicator and agent of climate change,
Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
affecting surface reflectivity, cloudiness, humidity,
Framework Convention on Climate Change in December
exchanges of heat and moisture at the ocean surface,
2007. Supporting prior reports, this report documents the
and ocean currents. Changes in sea ice have enormous
impact of man-made climate change. The most vulnerable
economic, environmental, and social implications. There
populations and economic sectors are faced with
are negative impacts on ice-dependent wildlife and
immediate and long-term adaptations for climate change,
northern peoples, like the Inuit, with a traditional
and some of the key vulnerabilities center on oceans,
subsistence lifestyle based on hunting mammals on or
coasts, and islands. Sea level rise is a significant threat
adjacent to sea ice. Changes may also have positive
for small islands, coasts, and low-lying lands. Ocean
economic effects, as they may facilitate increased marine
acidification is a new and looming threat that could
transportation, economic development, and immigration
undermine the marine food web and preclude coral
into the region.
development. Sea level rise and acidification will remain
Small islands are vulnerable to the impacts of climate
for the next few thousand years. Another emerging threat
change, sea level rise, and extreme events because of
is the impact of high sea surface temperatures on the
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size and exposure to natural hazards, and more limited
UNFCCC Convention and is not confined to the present
adaptive capacity. According to the Third Assessment
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. It will address technology,
Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
adaptation, market-based opportunities, the
Change, islands represent early indicators of climate
development context, and voluntary action by
change for the rest of the world. Islands often depend on
developing countries. First meetings of the Convention
rainwater and are vulnerable to changes and distribution
Dialogue will be held in parallel with the Subsidiary Body
in rainfall. Like many parts of the equatorial and tropical
meetings of the Kyoto Protocol in Bonn in May 2006.
world, human health is impacted by climate change. For
example, diarrhea will increase with rising temperatures
Climate change mitigation is a major challenge, which
and deterioration of water in the Pacific. Vector-bourne
goes to energy, economic, technological, and
diseases like dengue fever and malaria will increase, with
development policy. The UNFCCC process addresses
the Caribbean islands being at greater risk. Shortages of
adaptation through understanding of climate impacts,
water and drought, as well as contamination of water
vulnerability, and possible adaptation measures on the
quality during floods and storms, will increase disease
one hand and financial and technical assistance to the
risk, including cholera, diarrhea, and dengue fever.
most vulnerable Parties on the other. Proceeds from the
Subsistence and commercial agriculture on small islands
Clean Development Mechanism project activities will
will be impacted by sea level rise due to flooding, salt
fund a new Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol.
water intrusion in fresh water, salination of the soils, and
The bulk of two other dedicated funds under the
decline in water quality and quantity. Infrastructure and
Convention are targeted for adaptation to the impacts of
development are affected by sea level rise and extreme
climate change by developing countries.
events, which affect tourism, agriculture, and the delivery
Maintaining the ecosystem services of the oceans is
of health, fresh water, food, and other essential services.
instrumental in achieving the United Nations Millennium
Coral reefs, marine fisheries, and marine resources will
Development Goals, as at least four of the eight goals are
also be affected by climate change and climate variability.
closely linked to the conservation and use of natural
Small islands with a large Exclusive Economic Zone
resources, including living marine resources. The
already have limited capacity to manage those zones, and
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, relying on the Food
these management issues will only be compounded by
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
climate change.
identifies fishing as the most important driver of change
Africa too is very vulnerable to climate change, with
in the marine ecosystem for the past fifty years. It is now
negative impacts expected for watersheds, coasts, and
apparent that, aside from pollution and over fishing,
seas of Africa, worsening desertification in northern and
climate variability and change, including acidification,
southern Africa, and reductions in the development of
may threaten the productivity of oceans. The challenge
the continent overall. The Third Assessment Report
for governments is to understand the complex processes
predicted that the effects of climate change would be
for oceans and climate change, and to have adequate
greatest in developing countries in terms of loss of life
policies.
and relative effects on the investment and economy.
On a global and regional level, climate change science
Africa was described as the world's poorest region and
and policy need to be added to the oceans agenda, and
the continent most vulnerable to the impacts of projected
oceans science and policy need to be inserted in the
change, because widespread poverty limits adaptation
climate agenda. The Third Global Conference
capabilities. There has been limited scientific research on
disseminated information on ocean and climate science
climate change in Africa, but local scientific networks for
and policy measures to oceans decision-makers.
climate change are developing.
Information on climate change and related policy issues
Science-Policy Interface for Oceans and
for oceans needs to be included in the annual United
Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on
Climate Change
Oceans and Law of the Sea, as well as to the global
The 11th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations
marine assessment agreed to at the World Summit on
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in
Sustainable Development in 2002, which is now in the
Montreal in December 2005 initiated a two-track process
start-up phase of an assessment of assessments.
to develop the future climate strategy, where the Kyoto
Additionally, information on oceans and climate sciences
Protocol is the first track. The second track is an informal
and related policy measures should be included in
Convention Dialogue aimed at exchanging experiences
meetings of the Kyoto Protocol Parties and the
and analyzing strategic approaches for long-term
Convention Dialogue, beginning in May 2006.
cooperative action. This dialogue is based on the
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Adaptation is not enough; mitigation is also required
of climate impacts for the rest of the world, this linkage
through the reduction of greenhouse gases and the shift
being recognized under the UNEP Grid-Arendal project,
to renewable energy and energy efficiencies. It is
Many Small Voices ­ Building Strategies for Climate
necessary to think globally, plan regionally, and act
Change Awareness and Adaptation among Vulnerable
locally. Due to their complexity, climate issues require
Regions: The Arctic and Small Island Developing
input from many disciplines and the integration of
States.
ecosystem-based and other integrated approaches. There
is a need for a constant dialogue between scientists and
For SIDS, there is a need to enhance economic,
decision-makers. Scientific data and analysis, from
ecological, and social resilience in an integrated manner.
accurate and timely predictions of hurricanes, to
Effective implementation of adaptation measures is
improved global and regional forecasts of future sea level
critical to ensure sustainable development, and SIDS
rise, and the impacts of ocean acidification, lay the
governments are already incorporating adaptation
foundation for adaptation policy discussions and the
measures into national sustainable development
development of climate strategies. In order to be
strategies for infrastructure, economic development,
effective, this data and analysis need to be
disaster management, environment, conservation and
communicated to decision-makers on a timely basis and
biodiversity. SIDS urgently need financial resources and
in an appropriate language.
technical support, as recognized and committed under
the UNFCCC process, including funding arrangements
The timing of policy development and science must be
for the development and transfer of renewable energy
synchronized, so that the long and short-term windows
and energy efficiency technologies as a way of reducing
for science and decision-making can be synchronized
carbon dioxide emissions. The integration of the
accordingly. Short-term windows for decision-making
Mauritius Strategy for the sustainable development of
may be advantageous as they allow the inclusion of new
SIDS in the work programme of the UNFCCC is crucial to
and more detailed information and predictions. In the
address SIDS concerns on climate change. The appeal
future, data may make it possible for scientists to
of the SIDS through the Alliance of Small Island States
accurately predict climate variability and change. The
(AOSIS) for discussion of implementation of the
challenge will then be how to convert these predictions
Mauritius Strategy should be considered. The SIDS
into adaptation policies for fisheries management,
strongly oppose carbon dioxide sequestration and
harbour development, or civil emergency planning.
nuclear power as options to address climate change.
Global climate change scenarios need to be checked
Funding and technical assistance to support the
against more specific studies at regional and sub-regional
continuation of the Small Islands Developing States
levels. As policies adapt to climate change and variability,
Network (SIDSnet) website in New York is also
it is important to consider opportunities as well as risks.
requested.
With accelerating climate change and variability, reliable
scientific information becomes crucial for formulating
As a region and a political entity, Europe is responding
policy on a wide variety of issues, including fisheries,
to climate change in its coasts and oceans. It is
marine infrastructure, and transportation. Therefore, more
addressing mitigation and adaptation through global
resources need to be devoted to ocean climate research,
initiatives and regional and local actions, and is thus
paying attention to the short and medium term, to the
developing useful experiences and strategic approaches
regional impacts as well as the global impacts, to
for the Convention Dialogue under the UNFCCC. The
monitoring and management approaches across
European Climate Change Program II has working
vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems, and to the
groups for coasts and oceans issues: the Impacts and
benefits as well as the risks of climate change.
Adaptation Working Group; the Renewable Energy
Working Group; and the Carbon Sequestration and
The integration and communication of climate science
Storage Working Group. The European Union is
and policy to governments, decision makers, civil society,
sponsoring research for climate changes for oceans and
and the public is viewed as crucial for both the
coasts, including: monitoring, governance, and security
developed world and the developing world in order to
initiatives under the European Space Agency; the
build support for the necessary mitigation and adaptation
European Network for Coastal Coordination Action; the
measures. There will be common problems in adapting to
European Spatial Planning: Adapting to Climate Change;
climate change by Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
the Coupled European Ocean Atmospheric Processes &
and less developed regions and countries within Africa,
Climate Change; and the EUROSION and Floodscape
Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the
projects. The European Union is currently implementing
Pacific. Similar to Arctic coasts, SIDS are early indicators
the Water Framework Directive for rivers and
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watersheds, including a coastal component that links
change as a crosscutting theme. Europe also shares the
fresh waters and oceans. The EU is also undertaking
Mediterranean Sea with northern Africa and Asia. Europe
consultation on a Marine Strategy and a Maritime
and member states like Italy implement regional initiatives
Strategy. The Maritime Strategy includes the Marine
for that sea, which consider economic and environmental
Strategy and addresses sustainable economic uses in
factors, including climate change.
Europe's coastal and marine waters, considering climate
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
OCEAN INDUSTRIES: BEST PRACTICES IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
ACROSS THE SECTORS
Summary prepared by Paul Holthus, Private Sector Coordinator, Global Forum on Ocean,
Coasts and Islands; and Executive Director, Marine Aquarium Council
The Global Conference considered the issue of ocean
Partnerships with NGOs are often an important part of
industries, using the goal of identifying best practices
understanding and implementing best practices and
now used by global leaders in marine industrial sectors
achieving sustainability. Many ocean industry sectors are
to reduce risks to marine environment effectively while
moving to establish higher quality standards for a variety
achieving business objectives efficiently. The expected
of products and practices in relation to marine resources
outcomes for consideration by the panel on ocean
or operations in the ocean environment. This is being led
industries included: Identify opportunities and next
by leadership companies and by industry associations.
steps to develop best practices within the global marine
The panel supported the need for increased industry
business and industry community and how to share
attention to sustainable development of ocean areas and
these within the private sector and with other
resources that is consistent with conservation goals and
stakeholders.
includes interaction with multiple stakeholders.
The panel was chaired by Paul Holthus, Private Sector
Building on the first Business and Industry Leaders
Coordinator, Global Forum on Ocean, Coasts and
Roundtable held at TOPS 2005: The Ocean Policy
Islands; Executive Director, Marine Aquarium Council.
Summit on October 12, 2005 in Lisbon, Portugal, the
Panel participants included: Tim Wilkins,
second roundtable brought together an increased
Environmental Manager, International Association of
number and a greater cross-section of the industries and
Independent Tank Owners (INTERTANKO); Dierk
user groups that depend on or use ocean and coastal
Peters, International Marketing Manager for
space and resources. The second meeting of the Business
Sustainability, UNILEVER; Arthur Bogason, Co-Chair,
and Industry Leaders Roundtable was also chaired by
World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers; John
Paul Holthus, Private Sector Coordinator, Global Forum
Connelly, President, National Fisheries Institute and
on Ocean, Coasts and Islands; Executive Director,
International Coalition of Fishing Organizations; Mark
Marine Aquarium Council, and included the following
Caney, President, Professional Association of Diving
participants: Lahsen Ababouch, Chief, Fish Utilization
Instructors (PADI) Europe; Jose Matheickal,
and Marketing Service, FAO Fisheries Tsunami Task
International Maritime Organization (IMO); and Bruno
Force; Daniel Bailey, Chairman, Batostar Fishting Ltd.,
Corréard, Manager for Sustainable Marine Resources,
South Africa; Arthur Bogason, Co-President, World
Carrefour.
Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers; Mark Caney,
President, Professional Association of Diving Instructors
The panel on Ocean Industries focused on the
(PADI) Europe; John Connelly, President, National
importance of industry responsibility for sustainable
Fisheries Institute, International Coalition of Fishing
practices and the need and opportunity for building
Associations; Bruno Corréard, Manager for Sustainable
cross-sectoral partnerships among business and industry
Marine Resources, Carrefour Group; Jean Courjault,
and with other ocean stakeholders to ensure the
MIF Liaison, French Suppliers Council (GEP), Policy
sustainable use of ocean space and resources. The panel
Advisor, European Oil and Gas Innovation Forum
presentations highlighted the leadership that several
(EUROGIF); Rob Cox, Technical Manager, International
industries are providing in defining and implementing
Petroleum Industry Environment and Conservation
sustainable practices which address the sustainable use
Association (IPIECA); Richard Delaney, Executive Vice
of marine resources, responsible operations in the marine
President, Horsely Witten Group; Philippe Ferlin,
environment and conservation of ocean biodiversity. The
Ingénieur Général, French Conseil General du Genie
panel highlighted the efforts of leaders from industries as
Rural des Eaux et Forets (GREF) ; Michel Goujon,
diverse as shipping, fisheries, oil and gas, and
French National Fisheries Commission (CNPMEM);
recreational diving who are working for the protection
Shelby Hockenberry, Gerard J. Mangone Center for
and management of the oceans and the improvement of
Marine Policy, University of Delaware and Secretariat,
industry standards for activities in the marine realm.
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands; Hector-
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Lysis Kyriakidis, Managing Director, Teledyne R.D.
discussions were:
Instruments-Europe; Jose Matheickal, Technical
Adviser, GloBallast Water Management Programme,
1. There is an important need and opportunity for
Marine Environment Division, International Maritime
building cross-sectoral partnerships among business
Organization (IMO); Jane Mauro, Biologist,
and industry and with other ocean stakeholders in
PETROBAS; Cor Nobel, Secretary-General, Shipping
support of the sustainable use of ocean space and
Emissions Abatement and Trading Association (SEAaT);
resources, and this should be pursued by continuing
Paul Nemitz, Head of Unit, Legal Affairs, Deputy Head of
to develop a network on ocean business and industry
Maritime Policy Task Force, European Commission;
and sustainable development.
Dierk Peters, International Marketing Manager,
2. The identification and sharing of best practices within
Sustainability Projects, UNILEVER; Kathrin Runge,
industry sectors and among different components of
Marketing, Friedrichs FeinFisch; Scott Truver, Group
business and industry is a practical and useful way
Vice President, CSSO Anteon Corporation; Takehiro
for the private sector to interact on ocean
Nakamura (for Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, Director, UN
sustainability.
Environment Programme (UNEP), Regional Seas
3. In particular it would be valuable to exchange
Programme, and Global Programme of Action for the
experience, lessons learned and case studies in
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based
developing and implementing partnerships for
Activities); Tim Wilkins, Environment Manager,
addressing conservation and sustainable use issues
International Association of Independent Tanker
in the marine environment.
Owners (INTERTANKO); and John Young, Marine
4. Science and data provide a common language and
Sound Management Team Coordinator, ExxonMobil
basis for industries to interact with each other and
Exploration Company.
with other stakeholders, and there are important
opportunities for collaboration on undertaking
The Business and Industry Leaders Roundtable provided
research to support sustainable industry operations
an opportunity for the representatives of this range of
that would benefit a wide range of concerned parties.
private sector entities to explore both the differences and
5. Ocean business and industry are important globally,
the commonalities in the sustainable development and
regionally, and nationally, and it would be valuable to
use of the oceans. Key issues that emerged from the
pull together a report highlighting the contribution of
ocean industries to the global economy.
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
OCEAN DONORS ROUNDTABLE
Summary prepared by Christy Loper,
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On January 23, 2006, the second meeting of the Ocean
could be through a list serve (which would need to
Donors Roundtable, hosted by the Global Forum on
include more bodies than those attending the
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, and chaired by David
current meeting) or even a facilitated website,
Freestone of the World Bank, was held in conjunction
perhaps constructed around or in conjunction with
with the Third Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts
the Global Forum website.
and Islands at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
4. There was recognition that the major priorities of the
This second meeting of the Ocean Donors Roundtable
international Ocean Agenda had been already set by
built on the discussions held during the first Roundtable
legal and political instruments to which states were
meeting which was held on October 10, 2005 in Lisbon,
parties (Law of the Sea Convention; U.N. Fish
Portugal, as a parallel event of The Ocean Policy
Stocks Agreement, MDGs, WSSD JPOI, etc) For
Summit (TOPS) 2005: The International Conference on
many present, particularly those from the public
Integrated Ocean Policy: National and Regional
sector, there would be value in the monitoring and
Experiences, Prospects, and Emerging Practices.
more systematic collection of information regarding
national efforts to meet of these targets. Given that
Participants in the second meeting included:Jens
the next assessment of ocean WSSD targets would
Ambsdorf, Lighthouse Foundation; Yves Auffret,
not be until the CSD in 2014 this was regarded by
Maritime Policy Task Force, European Commission;
many as a useful activity, which might be modeled
Ezio Bussoletti, Permanent Representative of Italy to
on the work of the World Water Forum, to be
UNESCO; Biliana Cicin-Sain, University of Delaware
undertaken under the auspices of the Global Forum
and Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands;
on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands.
Federico Cinquepalmi, Ministry for Environment and
Territory, Italy; Christophe Du Castel, Secretariat du
Substance of the Discussion:
FFEM-AFD (French GEF); Al Duda, GEF; Marea
The group noted that the purpose of Roundtable should
Hatziolos, World Bank; Arlo Hemphill, Conservation
be to expand the scale of funding for ocean issues. The
International; Indumathie Hewawasam, World Bank;
group reviewed the report of the previous Ocean Donors
Paul Holthus, Marine Aquarium Council; Andrew
Roundtable in Lisbon and discussed some of its main
Hudson, UNDP; Tom Laughlin, U.S. NOAA; Carl Lundin,
findings.
IUCN; Gerald Miles, Nature Conservancy; Ellen
Pikitch, Pew Institute for Ocean Science; Yumiko
The group discussed a possible on-going role for such a
Tanaka, Ocean Policy Research Foundation; Chua
group and its possible comparative advantage as the
Thia-Eng, PEMSEA; Cees van de Guchte, UNEP/GPA;
only meeting of donors, from both the public and private
and Christy Loper, NOAA- session rapporteur.
sector, directed at oceans, coasts and SIDS. It was
recognized that although donor agencies may have
Meeting Outcomes:
innovative approaches to financing, they are not agenda
1. All recognized the importance of awareness raising
setters, but responsive to the global agenda which has
of ocean issues and felt there was room for
been set and to which governments are committed (e.g.,
collaboration and sharing of experience in this area
MDGs, WSSD JPOI), and donors should bear this
and its contribution to resource mobilization.
agenda in mind.
2. The Group encouraged the Forum to complete a
comprehensive directory of the organizations which
Some thought that a meeting of donors might be a useful
finance ocean, coastal and small island developing
forum for discussing innovative financing ideas­
states (SIDS) issues.
although such a meeting might need to be organized
3. The Group recognized an important need for the
slightly differently. A number of ideas, issues and
sharing of information about funding activities in the
approaches were raised.
Oceans, including priorities and programmes as well
It was noted that in the capacity building session, there
as lessons learned, both successes and failures. This
are many needs that are not being met. For example, a
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serious hurdle in many countries comes about when
Sharing of information between funders was seen as an
there are multiple problems that need to be addressed.
important and highly useful activity, whether through a list
Governments will inevitably prioritize healthcare, roads,
server or website. Not only information about financing
HIV/AIDS, etc. above ocean and coastal issues.
but also about country programmes. The view was
Awareness raising is needed to illustrate the importance
expressed that the status of established goals and targets,
of ocean issues in this competitive environment.
and their implementation across the world was important
Some argued that funders might consider financing a
for financiers to know where the bottlenecks are and how
more settled "secretariat"-type function to support the
they might be addressed.
Global Forum to ensure continuity and to help
The group felt that future donors meetings might be more
sustainability. One of the activities of such a function
appropriately timed at the end of the Conferences after
might include monitoring the implementation of goals
priorities had been discussed and set on major issues, so
that are already on the table. Ideas were expressed on the
as to be able to reflect on the findings of the meeting.
way this might be done or whether it would be
appropriate.
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REPORTS FROM THE THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS
January 23-28, 2006, UNESCO, Paris
ENGANGING DECISION MAKERS AND THE PUBLIC
Summary prepared by Miriam Balgos,
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands
During the Third Global Conference, several dialogue
A special presentation titled The Public and the Oceans:
sessions and a panel addressed the issue of engaging
A Long-Term Strategy for Mobilizing Public Support for
the public and decision makers in oceans issues. The
the Global Oceans Agenda was also given on January 24
goals of the session on Engaging Decision Makers and
by Mr. Philippe Valette. In addition a related dialogue
the Public were to:
session on Mobilizing Stakeholders and the Public
Towards Fisheries Sustainability, organized Dr. Leonard
· Demonstrate the value of mobilizing decision
Sonnenschein, World Aquarium, USA was held on
makers and the public in the ocean governance
January 23 and a second dialogue session on Engaging
planning and decision making process
decisionmakers and the public was held on January 27
· Identify effective means to communicate the value of
following the panel presentations.
marine resources and the benefits of their use and
conservation to decisionmakers and the public
Immediately following the Third Global Conference, the
· Discuss tangible options for cooperation in ocean
World Ocean Network (WON) hosted the Third
information and education.
International Meeting: Acting together for the Future of
the Blue Planet, from January 29 - February 1, 2006 at
The expected outcomes of the session were as follows:
NAUSICAA, Centre National de la Mer, Boulogne sur Mer,
France. The event was organized under the aegis of the
· Draw the attention of conference participants on the
IOC/UNESCO and included the participation of Jean-
need for enhanced ocean information and
Michel Cousteau, chair of the World Ocean Network
education and engage them to support/take part in
Committee of Honour.
such activities and programs
· Develop a specific program of work on education
The World Ocean Network and its partners invited Global
and information related to advancement of the
Conference participants to participate in the 3rd
global oceans agenda for decisionmakers and the
International Meeting. All organizations reaching out to
public, and convey these recommendations to the
the general public were encouraged to participate in the
World Ocean Network workshop following the
meeting to help further develop a global campaign to raise
Global Conference.
public awareness and an action plan for the sustainable
use of the ocean.
The panel was chaired by Mr. Philippe Valette,
Managing Director, NAUSICAA- National Sea Centre,
Participants at the meeting and experts from the Global
France, and Chair, the World Ocean Network. Overview
Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands had the opportunity
presentations were given by Mr. Philippe Valette, and
to state their priorities regarding sustainable use of the
Ms. Marie-Laure de Lange, Communications
ocean. The participants also shared results of the joint
Consultant, SeaWeb. Panelists included Dr. Dann
activities conducted since the 2nd International Meeting
Sklarew, Director, GEF IW: LEARN; Dr. Ram Boojh,
in 2002, and planned further cooperation for the next three
Centre of Environment Education, India; Dr. Guillermo
years.
Garcia Montero, President, National Aquarium, Cuba,
and National Intergovernmental Oceanographic
A full report of the World Ocean Network Third
Commission Committee; and Dr. Peter Neill, Director,
International meeting can be found on the World Ocean
The World Ocean Observatory, United States.
Network website at: http://www.worldoceannetwork.org.
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ABOUT US
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands Newsletter (http://www.globaloceans.org) covers:
· Major global news related to oceans, coasts, and islands;
· Major developments in international negotiations and implementation of international agreements
related to oceans, coasts, and islands;
· Major news from Global Forum partners- international organizations, governments, non-governmental
organizations, and private sector;
· Progress in the implementation of the commitments made at the World Summit on Sustainable Devel-
opment (WSSD) and the voluntary partnerships (Type II) created at the WSSD;
· Regional and national-level news related to oceans, coasts, and islands of global significance; and
· Events, conferences, and major meetings related to oceans, coasts, and islands.
Contributions are invited in the following categories:
· Feature articles: Interpretative articles about developments related to oceans, coasts, and islands;
· News reports from international organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations, private
sector;
· Reports about WSSD implementation and progress in WSSD partnership initiatives;
· Summaries of reports and meetings; and
· Opinion section: Critical analyses of important issues related to oceans, coasts, and islands.
The newsletter will be published on a quarterly basis. This schedule may, at times, be altered to focus, in a
timely manner, on an important international development. The newsletters will be archived as part of the
Oceans, Coasts, and Islands website accessible at http://www.globaloceans.org/newsletter/index.html.
Potential contributors are kindly requested to follow the schedule noted below. Submissions will be evalu-
ated by an editorial committee. Please note that some submissions may not be accepted due to appropri-
ateness, timeliness, and space considerations.
Contributions to the Newsletter should be sent to Dr. Miriam Balgos, Center for Marine Policy,
mbalgos@udel.edu, two weeks before the following 2006 publication dates:
· Issue 10: June 1, 2006
· Issue 11: September 30, 2006
· Issue 12: November 1, 2006
The Global Forum Newsletter is prepared at the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy (CMP) at
the University of Delaware. A multi-national team of researchers under the editorship of Dr. Biliana Cicin-
Sain manages the Newsletter, including Dr. Miriam Balgos (Philippines), lead editor, Shelby Hockenberry
(U.S.), Bernice McLean (South Africa), LaVerne Walker (St. Lucia), Amanda Wenczel (U.S.), Lindsey
Williams (U.S.), Kateryna Wowk (U.S.), and Jorge Gutierrez (Mexico). Funding and other forms of
support are provided by the Global Environment Facility, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission/
UNESCO, UNEP/GPA Coordination Office, International Program Office/National Ocean Service,
NOAA, the World Bank, and the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy/University of Delaware.
We kindly request your involvement in making this newsletter a useful contribution in the global dialogue on
oceans, coasts, and islands.
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