www.globaloceans.org
Vol. 1 No. 3 August 15, 2003
REMINDER:
In This Issue All participants in the Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands: Mobilizing for
Implementation of the Commitments Made at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
Development (UNESCO, Paris, November 12-14, 2003) must register for the conference.
Editorial...1
The registration fees are US $250.00 by September 15; US $350.00 from September 16 to
November 6; and US $400.00 at the Conference. For updated information about the
News on National
Conference, please visit www.globaloceans.org.
Oceans Policies
- Australia...2
Editorial
- Portugal...3
In this issue of the Global Forum newsletter, we first focus on developments in national ocean
- New Zealand...4
policies, as a growing number of nations are undertaking efforts to develop principles and policies for
- Thailand...7
the management of their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones. We focus on ongoing experiences in
- Philippines...8
Australia, Portugal, New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines, and the United States. Also in this
issue are the details of an important workshop on national ocean policies, to be held on November
10, at the Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands at UNESCO in Paris, that will bring
Reports on Events
together experts in national ocean policy to share experiences and lessons on evolving best practice.
- 4th UNICPOLOS...10
- Global Forum Event at
The newsletter also reviews the results of the fourth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended
UNICPOLOS...13
Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (UNICPOLOS), held on June 2-6,
2003 at UN headquarters in New York. Delegates unanimously supported the extension of the
- International Workshop
Consultative Process for another three years given the constructive role it has played in providing
on Integrating MPA and
substantive input in the General Assembly's debates on ocean affairs. Delegates agreed on a draft text
ICM Management...16
on elements to be suggested to the General Assembly, addressing: safety of navigation; capacity
building for the production of nautical charts; measures to enhance safety of navigation; flag State
Article
implementation and enforcement; and protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems.
- SIDS and WSSD
As discussed in the last issue of this newsletter, taking a "Hilltops to Oceans" approach to ocean and
Partnership
coastal issues by making explicit linkages to river and watershed management is imperative, and we
Initiatives...17
are delighted to see UNICPOLOS underscore the importance of these linkages. Regarding vulnerable
marine ecosystems, UNICPOLOS recommended continued efforts to implement the Global
Announcements
Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities;
acceleration of activity to safeguard the marine environment against pollution and physical
- Forthcoming SIDS
degradation, emphasizing that the protection of coastal and marine environments is an important
meetings toward
component of the WSSD target on sanitation; inviting the Commission on Sustainable Development
Mauritius 2004...19
to include, in its focus on water for the next two years, the effects of freshwater management on
- New NZ Ministry of
saltwater environments; and increasing the emphasis on the link between freshwater, the coastal zone
Foreign Affairs
and marine resources when implementing the Millennium Development Goals, WSSD goals, and the
Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development.
Website...19
- World Parks
This is an important time for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as they prepare for the
Congress...20
Mauritius 2004 review of progress achieved since the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action. A series
- Deep Sea 2003...20
of preparatory meetings in the Pacific, Caribbean, and Africa regions are taking place as this
newsletter goes to press or are scheduled for the near future, the outcomes of which will be covered
in subsequent issues. The Global Forum is preparing a number of analyses to assist in the
About Us...21
preparations for the Mauritius meeting--a draft of a first analysis on the WSSD voluntary
partnerships and SIDS may be found in this issue.
The newsletter also addresses a number of reports from meetings and workshops, which we hope
you will find useful.
Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd
Global Forum Co-Chair
The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, created following 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/
technical, 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
CSMP/University of Delaware
IOC/UNESCO
UNEP/GPA Coordination Office
bcs@udel.edu
p.bernal@unesco.org
v.vandeweerd@unep.nl
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NEWS
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN NATIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
An increasing number of ocean nations are in the process of developing national ocean policies for governance of
their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones. There is much to be learned through comparative analysis and "lesson-
drawing" among these efforts, since they are all, in effect, charting new ground and developing new ocean
governance principles and procedures. In this issue, we feature recent developments in the creation of national
ocean policies in Australia, Portugal, New Zealand, Thailand, and Philippines. In the United States, the Pew Oceans
Commission (a privately-convened oceans commission), released its report in June 2003; this is covered in Pew
Commissioner Geoffrey Heal's presentation at the Global Forum's side event at the United Nations Informal
Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea (see p. 13 of this issue). The Congressionally-created U.S.
Commission on Ocean Policy is expected to release its report on national ocean policy in October 2003 (which will be
covered in this newsletter).
AUSTRALIA'S OCEANS POLICY
·
Ensuring that all ocean uses are sustainable;
R
·
Protecting, conserving and restoring the Region's
ELEASES DRAFT SOUTHEAST
marine biodiversity, ecological processes and
R
natural and cultural marine heritage;
EGIONAL MARINE PLAN
·
Increasing long-term security of access for marine-
based industries;
As a direct output of Australia's Ocean Policy,
·
Promoting economic development and job creation
Australia recently released its first draft Regional
in the Region;
Marine Plan for the southeastern region of its Exclusive
·
Managing marine resources in such a way to ensure
Economic Zone (EEZ) (the waters off of Victoria,
fairness and accountability to the community and
Tasmania, southern New South Wales and eastern
all users;
South Australia). Based on large marine ecosystems, the
·
Increasing knowledge and understanding of the
Southeast Regional Marine Plan aims to maintain
Region;
ecosystem health while promoting multiple uses of the
·
Enhancing community and industry stewardship
oceans by integrating sectoral commercial interests and
and understanding of the values and benefits of the
conservation requirements. This region, covering more
Region and involving them in its management;
than two million km2 of water, encompasses
·
Involving indigenous communities in management
approximately 15% of Australia's coastline, houses more
of the Region, while recognizing and respecting
than 50% of its population in the adjacent coastal lands,
their rights, custodial responsibilities, contributions
and contains several major marine industries such as
and knowledge; and
tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and offshore petroleum.*
·
Taking into account in decision making the
governmental and non-governmental stakeholder
Through a series of targeted regional workshops,
needs, values and contributions.
stakeholders identified nine objectives, under five
categories (noted below), consistent with the goals and
The draft Regional Marine Plan details specific actions
principles of Australia's Ocean Policy. With an
for each of the objectives and provides timetables and
emphasis on preserving ecologically sustainable
lead agencies for each action.
development, these objectives include:
In an effort to improve coordination between the States
and the Commonwealth, thereby facilitating effective
management and planning, Australia's Oceans Policy
*
stresses the involvement of States and Territories in the
Additional details of the features of the Southeast Marine
Region can be found in Marine Matters, an atlas of marine
development of Regional Marine Plans and their
activities and coastal communities in the region, from the
participation on the Regional Marine Plan Steering
National Oceans Office website, http://www.oceans.gov.au.
Committees. As there are no mechanisms to date, which
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NATIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
allow for joint decision making between States and the
PORTUGAL CREATES THE
Commonwealth, the Regional Marine Plan discusses
ways of how to achieve consistent decision making
STRATEGIC COMMISSION ON
across jurisdictional boundaries.
OCEANS
An important output of the Southeast Regional Marine
Plan is the Integrated Oceans Process,** which provides
In June 2003, the Portuguese government created the
a comprehensive way to address the complex, cross-
Strategic Commission of the Oceans. The Commission is
sectoral marine issues through a "whole-of-
in the Office of the Prime Minister, Manuel Durão
government" approach. As a new process, it can be
Barroso. With the Commission, the government aims to
used to analyze issues and develop strategies for
achieve the major goal of "making Portugal a lead
priorities identified during the scoping phase of future
country regarding the international agenda of the
regional marine planning efforts. As additional regional
oceans", as the Prime Minister stated in the official
plans are created and implemented (the next region
ceremony of the presentation of the Commission, at the
under development is the North Region), the Integrated
Oceanarium, in Lisbon on July 9, 2003.
Oceans Process will become more sophisticated and
efficient.
The main objective of the Strategic Commission of the
Oceans is to develop a national strategy for the oceans
Australia's Ocean Policy emphasizes the need for a
based on the sustainable development and sustainable
regional marine plan to be adaptive in order to monitor
use of the oceans and its resources, and on
how well it is achieving its objectives. With this in
enhancement of the management and exploration of the
mind, the Southeast Regional Marine Plan advocates
maritime areas under national jurisdiction. The president
the use of a performance assessment system, which
of the Commission is the minister-advisor, Jose Luis
would involve the future design of performance
Arnaut and the Commissioner's coordinator is Tiago
indicators and performance measures for implementation
Pitta e Cunha, advisor and former member of the
of the Plan. The results of any future assessment will
Portuguese mission to the United Nations, in New York
feed into a Framework for Assessing Oceans
City.
Management Performance.
The Commission is composed of representatives of
In order to keep the development of the Southeast
several of the sectoral ministries, including the
Regional Marine Plan open and transparent, Australia's
environment and land planning, economy, national
National Oceans Office has invited comment upon the
defense, foreign affairs, fisheries, science and
objectives, actions for dealing with the issues, and
technology, as well as a group of individuals that have
future issues for the region, from the public,
developed relevant work for Portugal's seas, such as
stakeholders, and organizations. A comment form may
Mário Ruivo, Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental
be downloaded from the National Oceans Office website
Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO.
(http://www.oceans.gov.au). All responses must be
received by October 17, 2003.
Within approximately six months, the Commission will
present guidelines for an integrated strategy for the
(Prepared by Danielle Tesch, Center for the Study of
oceans and maritime activities, as well as guidelines for
Marine Policy)
implementation. The commission shall:
· Identify measures and actions for
implementation of the ocean strategy and its
operational guidelines;
· Recommend actions for the development of the
oceans policy and legislative framework,
namely the harmonization of the internal legal
**
system with relevant international legal
For an in depth discussion of the Integrated Oceans
instruments;
Process, see Australia's National Oceans Office's recent
draft document, Oceans Policy: Principles and Processes,
· Recommend modifications in view of the
on its website, http://www.oceans.gov.au.
modernization of the current institutional
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NATIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
framework regarding the current public
AN OCEANS POLICY FOR NEW
responsibilities for issues related to marine and
coastal management.
ZEALAND
Prime Minister Barroso noted that the commission
should reaffirm the special interest of Portugal in the
Work is now well advanced on a `blueprint' for the
oceans. "We are a maritime country, not only for
future management of New Zealand's oceans.
historical reasons and the tradition of the past, but
mainly for the geographic reality that characterizes
After nine months of intensive policy development and
Portugal as a significant oceanic nation on a global
public meetings, a draft New Zealand Oceans Policy is
scale...We can no longer postpone a serious reflection
about to be completed. This will be subject to a round
of the truly critical value of the ocean for Portugal."
of full national consultation later this year.
Prime Minister Barroso clearly stated the importance of
Implementation of the agreed policy is expected to
oceans for sustainable development during the 2002
commence in 2004.
World Summit on Sustainable Development, in
Johannesburg. The Portuguese application to locate the
The proposed New Zealand Oceans Policy seeks to
headquarters of the European Agency of Maritime
create an integrated context for the government and
Security within Portugal, as was announced by the
other decision-makers to make sound and informed
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is another opportunity for
choices about setting and achieving the country's
achieving the objectives of the Portuguese oceans
economic, social, cultural and environmental objectives.
strategy.
The policy will draw links across New Zealand's current
management regimes and provide mechanisms for
(Prepared by Isabel Torres de Noronha, Center for the
resolving conflicts between them. In particular, it will
Study of Marine Policy)
deliver on a vision for New Zealand's oceans,
developed last year after consultation with thousands
of New Zealanders:
Healthy Oceans: New Zealanders understand
marine life and marine processes and,
accordingly take responsibility for wisely
managing the health of the ocean and its
contribution to the present and future social,
cultural, environmental and economic well-
being of New Zealand.
This article discusses the broad approach and
processes that are being used to develop New
Zealand's proposed new Oceans Policy.
Introduction
New Zealand is a small island nation with a huge marine
economic zone representing some 95% of the nation's
territory.
This vast reserve represents a huge economic, social,
cultural and environmental asset for the four million
New Zealanders residing on dry land. New Zealanders
testified ­ resoundingly ­ in a round of earlier
consultation, that the sea, the beach, the coast, and the
opportunities they offer are vitally important to New
Zealand today and in the future.
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NATIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
The decision to develop an Oceans Policy for New
unnecessary uncertainty, divisiveness and
Zealand began several years ago with the recognition
cost, and discourage investment and
not only of the significant value of the ocean resource,
innovative new uses of the ocean.
but also that existing environmental and economic
pressures on the ocean ecosystems were beginning to
3. Need for better coordination of information
intensify.
and information-based management tools.
New Zealand lacks a cohesive approach to the
The approach taken by the policy group has been to
collection of data across a range of agencies
assess and build on the effective parts of New Zealand's
for different purposes, and there is inadequate
current management system, to integrate the many and
accessibility and coordination of information
sometimes competing statutes and related policies
already held by agencies. This makes it
already in place, and to identify gaps in order to be able
difficult to assess the adequacy of existing
to deal fairly and openly with both existing and future
data sets for management purposes and
demands.
impedes prioritisation of research efforts, in
turn resulting in unnecessary duplication of
Tackling the Problems
effort and cost.
New Zealand's Oceans Policy is being developed in
4. Lack of attention to Maori aspirations and
response to two broad problems: a lack of integration
Treaty of Waitangi obligations.
across the different controls on New Zealand's ocean
The relationship of the indigenous people of
activities; and a lack of guidance on national objectives
New Zealand to the oceans is important to
and priorities.
their culture and identity, to their relationship
More specifically, the key problems can be defined as:
with the Crown, and to Crown and Maori
stewardship of New Zealand. There is a need
for better recognition and incorporation of
1. Gaps and inadequacies in environmental
Maori values into oceans management and
management and performance
decision-making, and for greater Maori
Some marine environments are continuing to
participation in both management and decision
degrade as a result of unsustainable activities
making processes at the central and local
and inadequate environmental protection.
government level.
Despite the ground-breaking Resource
Management Act, effects on the surrounding
ocean from land-based activities are a particular
A Sustainable Approach to Managing the Oceans
problem. Farther out to sea, the environmental
New Zealand's draft Oceans Policy takes a sustainable
effects of fishing have not yet been fully
development approach to the management of our
addressed to ensure the overall sustainability
oceans.
of New Zealand's renowned Quota
Management System. There is a lack of
At the centre of the policy is a recognition of certain
capacity to deal effectively with marine
fundamental imperatives that must constrain all
biosecurity threats and incursions; and no
decision making. These include the need to:
formal regime for assessing and managing the
environmental effects of many activities
! Work within the natural capacity of the oceans
beyond the territorial sea.
and make sure the ecological health of New
Zealand's oceans is sustained over the long
2. Lack of a framework for reconciling competing
term;
uses and providing for new uses.
! Work within the Treaty of Waitangi to give
Inconsistent approaches to dealing with
substance to the relationship between Maori
competing uses within New Zealand's territorial
and Crown for stewardship of this significant
sea, and an ad hoc approach to occupation of
natural resource; and
space beyond the territorial sea, give rise to a
growing potential for conflict over access to
! Meet New Zealand's international obligations.
and use of the ocean. These failures also cause
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NATIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
Within these imperatives the policy will also recognize
Towards an Oceans Policy for New Zealand,
the significance of the oceans as an economic resource,
September 2001.
which, carefully and efficiently managed, can provide
opportunities for much-needed economic growth.
Stage two, now underway, is focused on designing the
policies required to achieve the vision. The main output
To implement the proposed approach ­ and provide a
will be a public discussion document setting out the
consistent and transparent context for decision-makers
proposed policy, which will be the subject of full public
­ a series of objectives, decision-making principles,
consultation later this year. The need for new laws,
national priorities, and guidance strategies are being
national plans or entities to deliver and coordinate the
developed. These will be supported, in turn, by
policy is also being considered. Stage three, due to
appropriate tools and processes aimed at facilitating the
begin in 2004, will involve further policy development
effective implementation of policies and decision making
and implementation of the agreed Oceans Policy.
at both the national and local level.
For more information, please contact the New Zealand
Fundamental to the policy, also, will be the expectation
Oceans Policy Secretariat at:
of all New Zealanders to enjoy and have access to the
sea. This will be reinforced with strategies encouraging
www.oceans.govt.nz
and empowering public participation in decision-making.
oceans@mfe.govt.nz
The policy is broad in its sweep: all activities and
(Prepared by Brigit Stephenson, Adviser, Oceans
processes that affect the health and productivity of the
Policy Secretariat, Ministry for the Environment, New
sea will be covered. This includes activities inland, on
Zealand)
the coast, inside the 12 nautical mile limit of New
Zealand's territorial sea, and, for the first time, beyond ­
out to the edge of the New Zealand continental shelf.
Policy Development Process
The Oceans Policy Secretariat is a "whole of
government" project, comprising officials from key
government departments. The project is led by a
nominated Minister for Oceans Policy. The Secretariat is
guided by a Steering Group of senior officials drawn
from the core departments with an interest in oceans
management.
Central and local government agencies and non-
government stakeholders have been closely involved
through policy development. As partners with the
Crown in the Treaty of Waitangi, Maori, in particular,
have a special place in the development process and a
Maori advisory group has been established to assist
officials with the development of policy proposals of
particular interest to the indigenous people of New
Zealand.
The first stage of oceans policy development was
completed in June 2002. It identified, through public
consultation, what vision and values New Zealanders
had for their oceans. Seventy-one meetings were held
around New Zealand and more than one thousand
written submissions received. These were compiled into
a report entitled Healthy Sea: Healthy Society ­
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NATIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
THAILAND NATIONAL OCEAN
Office of National Economic and Social Development
P
Board to the Department of Marine and Coastal
OLICY
Resources (DMCR) in October 2002. DMCR is,
therefore, one of the newly established government
Introduction
agencies responsible for developing a new National
Ocean Policy. The first task of OTMPRC is to formulate
In 1997, the Thai Prime Minister Mr. Banhan Silapa
a draft National Ocean Policy for public consultation
Archa established the Thai Marine Policy and
and submission of a final document to the cabinet for
Restoration Committee (TMPRC) to restore the
approval. The OTMPRC and the International Ocean
productivity of the Thai waters, which have been
Institute in Thailand (IOI-Thailand) developed the first
deteriorating from unsustainable use. The committee
draft of the Ocean Policy by reviewing the Ocean Policy
comprises the Ministers and high-ranking officials from
of developed countries such as Canada's Oceans Act,
the Thai government agencies, with the Prime Minister
Australia's Ocean Policy and also PEMSEA's
as the chairman. The Committee is tasked with the
(Partnerships in Environmental Management for the
establishment of regulations for controlling the use of
Seas of East Asia) guide for developing National
the Thai Sea and with the establishment of the policy
Coastal and Marine Policies. The first draft is only a
framework for sustainable development of the Thai
proposed structure of the ocean policy containing the
coastal and marine resources and environment. The
background information and draft policy and strategies.
Director General of the Department of Fisheries (Dr.
Plodprasop Suraswadi), who was also the director of the
Before publishing the Thailand National Ocean Policy,
Office of the Thai Marine Policy and Restoration
the OTMPRC and IOI-Thailand conducted a workshop,
Committee (OTMPRC), is the committee secretary.
Expert Consultation on Thailand National Ocean
Policy and Strategies, in March 2003 to obtain
The Need for a Thai Ocean Policy
comments from foreign and local experts from the Thai
government agencies. Comments received from the
workshop will be used by TMPRC and IOI-Thailand in
The use of Thai coastal and marine resources is
developing the second draft of the Ocean Policy. The
traditionally controlled by different government
second draft will be reviewed by the TMPRC sub-
agencies. Fisheries resources, mangrove forest, sea-bed
committee which will develop the National Policy that
mineral resources, tourism, navigation, and industry in
will represent a cross-sectoral integrated management
the coastal area, are controlled by the Department of
policy and strategy. A variety of government agencies
Fisheries, Royal Forest Department, Department of
involved in the use of the Thai Sea will be consulted for
Mineral Resources, Tourism Authority of Thailand,
the development of the policy and strategies.
Harbor Department and the Ministry of Industry,
respectively. These government agencies have their
The third draft will be published for public consultation.
own regulations and are occasionally in conflict with
After the public consultation process, a draft policy will
each other. Conflicts between groups of private users
be proposed to the TMPRC for final review prior to
also occur, for example among the fisheries, tourism and
Cabinet approval.
industry groups. Integrated management is therefore
needed to resolve these conflicts.
(Prepared by Dhana Yingcharoen, Department of
Thailand has not yet ratified the Law of the Sea
Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural
Convention. To ratify the Convention, an ocean policy
Resources and Environment, Thailand)
is required to ensure that the regulations and resources
development framework of the country comply with the
Convention's provisions.
Policy Development
Thailand has a newly reformed government that is
comprised of 20 ministries. The Office of the Thai Marine
Policy and Restoration Committee was moved from the
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NATIONAL OCEAN POLICIES
PHILIPPINES UNDERTAKING
policy framework is to be developed as a component of
the UNDP-sponsored project on the "ENR Programme:
REVISION OF NATIONAL MARINE Environment and Natural Resource Framework
P
Development and Implementation" for the Department
OLICY
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The
ENR Project is intended to guide the planning and
implementation of interventions for the protection of the
In 1994, the Philippines was among the first countries in
environment and the sustainable development of natural
the Asia-Pacific region to issue a National Marine Policy
resources in the country. It coincided with previous
(NMP) document that attempted to define the country's
initiatives of the DENR for the formulation of a National
general policy framework for the management of its
Coastal and Marine Management Strategy, and provided
oceans and coasts. It was approved by a Cabinet
the opportunity to build upon activities directed
Committee on Maritime and Ocean Affairs that was
towards policy reforms in coastal resource management.
primarily concerned with the impending entry into force
of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, and identified
The Marine Environment and Resources Foundation,
the major areas of maritime policy as: political and
Inc. (MERF), a research foundation established by the
jurisdictional; area development and conservation; area
University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute,
regulation and enforcement; and maritime security. It
was subcontracted by UNDP to assist the DENR in the
elaborated on these areas by listing priority concerns
policy review, analysis, and re-formulation. Working
and some guiding principles on the extent of the
with the University's Archipelagic and Ocean Studies
national territory, protection of the marine ecology,
(ARCOAST) Program, three teams were formed to
management of the marine economy and technology,
undertake the research for the major policy of
and maritime security.
Ecosystems Management, Policy and Institutional
Development, and Socio-Economic Development.
The NMP's significance lies in its having lain the
foundations for a paradigm shift in maritime
The initial draft of the Integrated Coastal and Marine
development and management by emphasizing the
Policy Framework is a very lengthy document, and was
archipelagic nature of the country in development
presented and critiqued by selected experts, as well as
planning; the development of coastal areas as loci of
government agencies with coastal and marine concerns
community, ecology, and resources; implementation of
and competencies, in March 2003. Based on their
UNCLOS within the framework of the NMP; and
inputs, the draft is being further developed, distilled,
recognizing the need for coordination and consultation
summarized, and prepared for dissemination in a series
with concerned and affected sectors. The shift to a
of nation-wide consultations.
model that emphasizes the role of the more extensive
The proposed Framework is a comprehensive and
marine component of the archipelago is an elusive yet
detailed paper that aims to introduce further refinements
essential key to the country's social and economic
and innovations in the country's general policy thrusts
development.
for development and environmental management. It
However, in the ten years following its approval by the
elaborates on the idea of Archipelagic Development,
Cabinet, the NMP has failed to address all of the
where social and economic development is based on
enormous demands for policy guidance and directions
careful consideration of the unity of the land and sea
that have emerged in the country's many resource-use
regimes of the country, and focuses on how best to take
sectors. A very short policy document at only 8 pages,
advantage of the opportunities and address the
its contents remain too general and scattered, lacking a
challenges provided by such a complex environment. It
detailed framework and plan of action for consciously
is recognized that the fragmented nature of the country
managing the developments in the maritime components
into islands and waters, while increasing the complexity
of the archipelago into the 21st century.
of environmental problems and issues on account of the
interactions between the two regimes, also hinders the
Fortunately, with assistance from the United Nations
conventional governance structures and mechanisms
Development Programme (UNDP), the Philippines has
that are being used to address them.
embarked on an effort to review its existing coastal and
marine policies and strategies, revise the NMP, and
The proposed archipelagic framework for sustainable
produce a more comprehensive and more detailed policy
development will concentrate on harmonizing the
document. A national integrated coastal and marine
political economy with the unique ecological features
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N TIONAL
A

TIONAL OCEANS
OCEAN P
P OLICIES
OLICIES
within which it must operate. It envisions an
Several strategies are proposed for integration of
archipelago that is prosperous and self-reliant; safe and
policy-making, such as total benefit/cost analysis;
peaceful; environmentally-resilient; where the resources
multi-sectoral consensus-building; harmonization of the
are well-managed, and their benefits equitably
political economy with ecosystem functions and
distributed among the population; where the multi-
requirements; capability-building across all levels of
cultural values and traditions of the archipelago are
government; community participation; flexible and
preserved; and development is geared towards uniting
adaptive management techniques; planning based on
the archipelago in the pursuit of a better quality of life.
ecosystem rather than political/administrative
In order to achieve these goals, the framework will
structures; and targeting of special development
highlight the need for: 1) promoting better cooperation
programs toward strategic areas in the archipelago.
among the agencies of government from local to
The Integrated Coastal and Marine Policy Framework
national levels and across the three major branches; 2)
will probably become the subject of intense discussions
encourage cooperation and partnerships among the
when it reaches public scrutiny through the national
various sectors such as government, non-government
consultations that will be conducted this year, and thus
organizations, private industry, cultural and ethnic
the final form and content of the document is expected
groups; 3) strengthen the capacities and capabilities of
to change as a result of the inputs of the multitude of
local government units and coastal communities, as well
stakeholders across the Philippine archipelago. The
as those needed for national governance of the
proponents hope that public debate and controversy
archipelago's coastal and marine resources; 4) stress the
over the various provisions will spark a very deliberate
need for preserving the environmental integrity of the
process of building national consensus on the many
archipelago, and in particular, the need for careful
contentious issues in the coastal and marine
planning and management of the marine economic
environment that face the nation daily. Hopefully, this
sectors which bridge the many islands and coastal
process will soon result in a useful document that will
communities; and 5) promote national integration of the
contain all the basic guidance needed to steer the
country's diverse regional populations, ethnic and
nation away from the trends of environmental
religious groups, and cultures.
degradation, and point toward healthier and more
To guide the crafting of policies, the Framework
sustainable oceans and coasts.
incorporates the basic principles of sovereignty, equity,
integration, and precaution. For social or economic
(Prepared by Jay L. Batongbacal, Executive Director,
policy-making, it further emphasizes the need for
Philippine Center for Marine Affairs, Inc.)
democratic participation; the local community as the
locus of development; methodical, systematic and
informed decision-making; economic efficiency and
productivity; and self-reliance through cost-effective
and innovative approaches in light of limited resources.
9

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REPORT ON EVENTS
FOURTH UNICPOLOS
responsibilities regarding control and enforcement of
the IMO's safety of navigation standards. The lack of
MEETING
an enforcement mechanism for international law and the
J
costs of establishing adequate maritime administrations
UNE 2-6, 2003
and legislation are recognized as issues preventing
U
fulfillment of flag State obligations. Discussions on the
NITED NATIONS, NEW YORK
rights of State to protect their marine and coastal
environment against oil spills and other discharges
The fourth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended
revolved around the question of whether the adoption
Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law
of international standards is evolving rapidly enough to
of the Sea was held from June 2-6, 2003 at UN
ensure effective protection. The meeting confined itself
headquarters in New York. The meeting was co-chaired
to urging States to work within relevant international
by Felipe Paolillo (Uruguay) and Philip Burgess
organizations and in accordance with international law.
(Australia). The meeting marked the start of a new three-
year period for the Consultative Process and brought
Protection of the Marine Environment
together over 200 delegates and observers from
governmental agencies, intergovernmental
Debate on marine protected areas (MPAs) beyond
organizations and non-governmental organizations to
national jurisdiction underlined the fine balance
discuss areas of concern and actions needed,
between the fundamental freedom of the high seas and
particularly in matters of cooperation and coordination
the need to protect fragile ecosystems and fisheries in
on ocean issues.
areas beyond national jurisdiction. The issue of mining
of mineral resources found in the Area and whether the
Major topics of discussion at UNICPOLOS included:
most appropriate forum to deal with deep seabed
safety of navigation; the protection of the marine
genetic resources is the Convention on Biological
environment; intergovernmental and inter-agency
Diversity or the International Seabed Authority proved
cooperation and coordination; the obligations of flag
contentious. While most delegations recognized the
and port States; and capacity building. The Food and
need for further information on the topic to design an
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations
adequate regime, others opposed singling out the issue.
Environment Programme's Global Programme of Action
(UNEP-GPA) gave specific reports on illegal, unreported
The major issue of illegal, unregulated and unreported
and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and on the impacts of
(IUU) fishing was extensively discussed and the
land-based activities on the marine environment
process highlighted the need for the UN Division for
respectively. The meeting convened two discussion
Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea to clarify and
panels on safety of navigation, including capacity
better define the genuine link between a flag State and a
building for the production of nautical charts, and on
vessel in order to facilitate the implementation of
the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems.
relevant international instruments. The upcoming global
assessment of the state of the marine environment (as
Delegates debated the elements of three main areas to
called for at the World Summit on Sustainable
be suggested to the General Assembly for its
Development) was seen as an opportunity for enabling
consideration under its agenda item entitled "Oceans
management decisions to be made on sounder and more
and the Law of the Sea," including safety of navigation,
complete information and for greater inter-agency and
the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and
intergovernmental cooperation on ocean issues.
cooperation and coordination on ocean issues. Selected
points emerging from the discussions are noted below.
Cooperation and Coordination on Ocean Issues
and Future Prospects for the UNICPOLOS
Safety of Navigation
Delegates unanimously supported the extension of the
Delegates noted that the body of rules addressing
Consultative Process for another three years given the
safety of navigation is substantial but the issue rests in
constructive role it has played in providing substantive
their implementation. While UNCLOS provides for the
input in the General Assembly's debates on ocean
primacy of flag State jurisdiction regarding enforcement
affairs. Delegates expressed concern at the replacement
of international rules at sea, many fail to fulfill their
of the Subcommittee on Oceans and Coastal Areas
10

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4th UNICPOLOS
(SOCA) with the inter-agency coordinating mechanism
coastal African States, to improve
called for under UNGA resolution 57/141 and debated
hydrographic services and the production of
the role of the Consultative process in the new set-up.
nautical charts, while recognizing the
Discussions concluded that while inter-agency
opportunity to work at the regional level;
coordination is important for ensuring coherence
between relevant intergovernmental processes, national
Selected proposals to the General Assembly on
implementation and cooperation between States remain
adopting measures to enhance safety of navigation
critical for effective implementation of UNCLOS and its
include:
objectives. The challenge is to ensure that various
regional processes and instruments operate within the
· Promoting the phase-out of single-hull
framework of UNCLOS and international law, and do not
tankers;
undermine global efforts. The Consultative Process may
bear the responsibility for ensuring overall coherence
· Supporting development of IMO guidelines
and consistency of actions with international law, and
and State plans to establish procedures to
its recent extension provides an opportunity to do just
accommodate ships needing refuge;
that.
· Welcoming the convening of an international
Delegates agreed on a draft text on elements to be
conference on the safety of transport of
suggested to the General Assembly. Sections in the text
radioactive material in July 2003;
related to: safety of navigation; capacity building for the
production of nautical charts; measures to enhance
· Reiterating its call in resolution 57/141 for
safety of navigation; flag State implementation and
cooperation in the prevention and combating
enforcement; and protection of vulnerable marine
of piracy and armed robbery at sea urging
ecosystems. Selected suggestions according to the
States to consider promoting and
three main topics are presented below.
implementing regional agreements and
maritime security legislation consistent with
Specific proposals to the General Assembly on Safety of
relevant conventions and agreements for the
Navigation included the need to:
world seaborne trade
· Reiterate the call in resolution 57/141 to
Specific proposals to the General Assembly on
improve both the implementation of
enhancing flag State implementation recognize the key
international agreements and the coordination
role of a multilateral approach and call for:
of activities of organizations with related
·
Assistance to States that are facing capacity
mandates and work programmes;
constraints in attempting to fulfill their
obligations including strengthening
· Urge States to establish or strengthen
infrastructure and enforcement capabilities in
appropriate national institutional and legal
flag States without an effective maritime
frameworks to ensure national compliance with
administration;
international regulations, procedures and
practices;
·
Clarification and definition of the `genuine
link' by DOALOS;
· Promote the continued operation and funding
of the International Hydrographic Organization
·
Encouraging the IMO to develop a voluntary
(IHO);
model audit scheme, to strengthen its draft
implementation code, and to enhance efforts
· Promote coordination of the IHO with the
regarding flag State implementation through
International Maritime Organization (IMO) to
cooperation with the FAO;
improve global hydrographic information
development and service provision;
·
Promote the functions of the FAO and IMO in
relation to port State control and facilitate
· Encourage capacity building for developing
cooperation and information exchange
countries, small island developing States and
between regional memorandums for port State
control; and
11

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4th UNICPOLOS
·
Restrict the operation of substandard vessels
·
Invite relevant bodies at all levels to consider
and IUU fishing activities.
how to better address, on a scientific and
Proposals were suggested to the General Assembly on
precautionary basis, the threats and risks to
vulnerable and threatened marine ecosystems
the Protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems under
and biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction
six main themes:
in a manner that is consistent with both
1. Integrated Marine and Coastal Management
international law and the principles of an
proposals included the need for the General
integrated ecosystem management.
Assembly to:
4. Proposals for Coral Reefs focused on the need for
·
Continue implementing the GPA;
the General Assembly to:
·
Accelerate activity to safeguard the marine
·
Reiterate its support for International Coral
environment against pollution and physical
Reef Initiative (ICRI) and the CBD Jakarta
degradation and emphasize that the protection
Mandate and emphasize the need to
of coastal and marine environments is an
mainstream coral reef management approaches;
important component of the WSSD target on
sanitation;
·
Promote the consideration of coldwater coral
ecosystems and call for enhanced cooperation
·
Invite the Commission on Sustainable
of activities through information exchange.
Development to include, in its focus on water
for the next two years, the effects of freshwater
5. Proposals for MPAs suggested that the General
management on saltwater environments; and
Assembly:
·
Increase emphasis on the link between
·
Reaffirm State efforts to develop and facilitate
freshwater, the coastal zone and marine
the use of diverse approaches and tools for
resources when implementing the Millennium
Development Goals, WSSD goals, and the
conserving and managing vulnerable marine
Monterrey Consensus on Financing for
ecosystems consistent with international law
Development
and based on the best scientific information
available;
2. Proposals on Fisheries included the need for the
·
Support the development of representative
General Assembly to:
networks of such areas by 2012.
·
Support increased enforcement and compliance
capabilities for regional fisheries management
6. Proposals on Ballast Water and Sediments called
organizations and their member States by
on the General Assembly to:
relevant bodies;
·
Urge the IMO to complete its work on the
·
Examine and clarify the genuine link between
development of a draft convention on the
fishing vessels and their flag States; and
control and management of ships' ballast water
and sediments, and to convene a diplomatic
·
Recommend that the inter-relationship between
conference to address the issue.
ocean activities, such as shipping and fishing,
and environmental issues, be addressed.
The final report of the fourth meeting, including a full
discussion of all the agreed elements proposed to the
3. Proposals for Seamounts and Areas beyond
General Assembly, a Co-Chair's summary of
National Jurisdiction included the need for the
discussions, and a list of agreed upon issues that could
General Assembly to:
benefit from attention in future work of the General
·
Reiterate the call for consideration of ways to
Assembly, is available online on the DOALOS website,
integrate and improve, on a scientific basis, the
at: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/consultative_process/
management of risks to the biodiversity of
consultative_process.htm. The Earth Negotiations
seamounts, certain other underwater features,
Bulletin summary coverage of the meeting can be found
and coldwater coral reefs;
at: http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/vol25/enb2506e.html.
·
Recognize the scientific and technical work
related to marine and coastal biodiversity
(Prepared by Bernice McLean, Center for the Study of
under the Covention on Biological Diversity;
Marine Policy)
and
12

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4th UNICPOLOS
GLOBAL FORUM PANEL AT THE
1. Finding: U.S. ocean policy is a combination of narrow
laws that has grown by accretion over the years, often
FOURTH UNICPOLOS
in response to crisis, and is in need of reform to reflect
the substantial changes in our knowledge of the oceans
MEETING
and our values toward them. Solution: The Commission
calls upon Congress and the Bush administration to
On June 5, 2003, the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts
pass a National Ocean Policy Act that embodies a
and Islands hosted a side event at the fourth meeting of
national commitment to protect, maintain, and restore
the UN Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and
the living oceans.
the Law of the Sea (UNICPOLOS) in New York on
"Mobilizing for a Renewed Global Ocean Agenda."
2. Finding: Management approaches that cut across
The side event aimed to contribute to the meeting by
lines of jurisdiction and involve all members of the
addressing the following issues on the UNICPOLOS
community have proven to be the most successful.
agenda: protecting the marine environment and
Solution: The Commission calls for the establishment of
vulnerable ecosystems, integrated ocean management,
an independent oceans agency to streamline federal
and fisheries. The invited panelists included Geoffrey
management, the creation of regional ecosystem
Heal, Pew Oceans Commission, United States; Tullio
councils to bring fishermen, scientists, citizens, and
Scovazzi, University of Milan Bicocca; David Osborn,
government officials together to develop ocean
UNEP/GPA; Sian Pullen, WWF International; and
management plans, and a national network of marine
Marea Hatziolos, World Bank. Patricio Bernal, IOC/
reserves to protect and restore fragile ocean habitats.
UNESCO and Stefano Belfiore, University of Delaware
and NOAA International Program Office, co-chaired the
3. Finding: With half the nation living along the coast
meeting.
and millions more visiting each year, we are
fundamentally changing the natural ecosystems that
attract us to the coast. Solution: The Commission calls
Major points covered were the following:
upon Congress and the states to work together to set
aside habitat critical to coastal ecosystems and to
Geoffrey Heal, Commissioner, Pew Oceans Commission
promote smart land use that protects terrestrial and
spoke on the recently released report of the Pew Oceans
marine environments. The Commission also calls for the
Commission America's Living Oceans: Charting a
redirection of government programs and subsidies that
course for Sea Change. The Pew Oceans Commission, a
contribute to the degradation of the coastal
bipartisan, independent group of American leaders, was
environment.
created to identify policies and practices necessary to
restore and protect living marine resources in U.S.
4. Finding: Overfishing, wasteful bycatch, the
waters and the ocean and coastal habitats on which
destruction of habitat, and resulting changes in marine
they depend. The Commission, also tasked with raising
food webs threaten the living oceans upon which our
public awareness of the principal threats to marine
fishing industry and heritage depend. Solution: The
biodiversity and of the importance of ocean and coastal
Commission urges the adoption of ecosystem-based
resources to the U.S. economy, reviewed the core issues
management that restricts destructive fishing gear,
of governance, fishing, pollution, and coastal
eliminates the wasteful practice of discarding
development. It also investigated marine aquaculture,
unintended catch, and places a priority on the long-term
invasive species, ocean zoning, climate change, science,
health of marine life and marine ecosystems.
and education. For more than two years, the
Commission conducted a series of dialogues, public
5. Finding: The nutrients and toxic substances run-off
meetings and workshops on ocean issues. The
and emissions present the greatest pollution threat to
Commission's 144-page report presented a new direction
coastal waters. Solution: The Commission calls for (1)
for governing our oceans and called for a bold, new
national standards that set nutrient pollution limits and
conservation ethic that embraces the oceans as a public
(2) compliance with these standards and further
trust, recognizes U.S. dependence on healthy marine
reductions in toxic pollution using watershed-based
ecosystems, and practices precaution in the
approaches. The Commission also calls for stricter
management of its ocean resources. Professor Heal
measures to abate pollution from animal feeding
discussed the main findings and recommendations of
operations and cruise ships, and to stem the tide of
the Report, including:
invasive species arriving from overseas.
13

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4th UNICPOLOS
For a complete version of the report, go to the Pew
natural structure and function of ecosystems, including
Oceans Commission website at http://
the biodiversity and productivity of natural systems
www.pewoceans.org/.
and identified important species, in the focus for
management; 2) Human use and values of ecosystems
David Osborn, UNEP/GPA Coordination Office, spoke
are central to establishing objectives for use and
on the issues and challenges associated with protecting
management of natural resources; 3) Ecosystems are
vulnerable marine ecosystems from land-based
dynamic; their attributes and boundaries are constantly
activities. He emphasized that marine pollution
changing and consequently, interactions with human
frequently stems from land-based activities occurring
uses are also dynamic; 4) Natural resources are best
hundreds, even thousands, of kilometers from sensitive
managed within a management system that is based on
and vulnerable marine ecosystems, and that an
a shared vision and a set of objectives development
integrated freshwater/saltwater approach to water
amongst stakeholders; 5) Successful management is
management must be developed. Groundwater, rivers
adaptive and based on scientific knowledge, continual
and coastal currents slowly transport pollutants away
learning and embedded monitoring processes; and 6) It
from their original source on land toward marine
is essential to involve all stakeholders. Dr. Pullen also
ecosystems unable to absorb them in large quantities. It
discussed how EBM is supposed to operate and
follows that each country must develop an integrated
presented five easy steps on how to deliver it. Step 1
approach to the problems of marine pollution that best
involves developing a vision and objectives for the
suits the country's geographic characteristics, political,
ecosystem to be managed and to involve the
institutional and regulatory frameworks, best available
stakeholders in this process. Step 2 includes strategic
science and technology, current assessments,
assessments of the resource and the use of
inventories and data.
complementary tools such as threat analysis, root
cause analysis and socioeconomic assessments. Root
He emphasized that freshwater and saltwater issues can
cause analysis identifies the immediate threats but also
no longer be considered in isolation, but rather a
the drivers behind the threats. Step 3 involves spatial
Hilltops-2-Oceans (H2O) approach to water management
planning, including the development of networks of
must be adopted. The effects of the demands for and
representative MPAs. It needs to be recognized that in
use of water, as well as other anthropogenic activities in
a developed part of the world, tough decisions will
watersheds, on the health and productivity of coastal
need to be made on where to site developments and
and marine environments must be emphasized in
activities. These decisions will be particularly tough
national strategies for sustainable development. Indeed,
when a sea area is already heavily utilized. Step 4
the management of water, particularly water for
focuses on the delivery mechanisms that are available
sanitation and its treatment prior to re-entering the water
to encourage the correct approach (for example,
cycle, is a fundamental policy issue with direct
controls, licenses, consents, quotas, routeing
consequences for the health and productivity of coastal
measures, etc.). Also included in Step 4 is the need for
and marine waters. Finally, he emphasized that a holistic
restoration techniques such as closed areas or
and environmental definition of `sanitation',
recreation of coastal wetlands, which allow for full
incorporating not only the provision of sanitation
recovery of the system. Finally, Step 5 addresses the
services but all other components of the wastewater
strategy for delivery. Such a Strategy should include
management process, should be adopted in
fiscal instruments, research programmes, education and
intergovernmental decisions and national strategies.
training, enforcement, monitoring and evaluation.
Aspects of this presentation are taken from a report
Sian Pullen, WWF International, talked about applying
published by WWF International titled Policy
the ecosystem approach for both marine management
Proposals and Operational Guidance for Ecosystem-
and the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Based Management of Marine Capture Fisheries and a
After reviewing some of the commitments made at the
Marine Update published by WWF-UK on Delivering
World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in
an Ecosystem Approach - the Need for a Marine Act.
Johannesburg in September 2002, including the
Both reports are available on WWF web sites (www.
commitment to encourage the application of the
panda.org/endangered seas and www.wwf.org.uk).
ecosystem approach by 2010, she highlighted the more
important principles of ecosystem-based management
Tullio Scovazzi, University of Milan - Bicocca, spoke
(EBM), including: 1) It is important to maintain the
on the management approaches and legal instruments
14

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4th UNICPOLOS
for the protection of vulnerable marine and coastal
provided under UNCLOS Art. 194, para.5 to protect and
ecosystems. He described marine ecosystems as having
preserve rare or fragile ecosystems, wherever they are
unique characteristics situated in areas governed by
located; b) Special provisions on the relationship with
different legal conditions. While wetlands, lagoons or
third parties can be included in the relevant treaties;
estuaries are located along the coastal belt, other
and c) It would be a mistake to think that the traditional
ecosystems such as seamounts, hydrothermal vents or
principle of freedom of the sea is an insurmountable
submarine canyons are likely to be found at a certain
obstacle against the establishment and sound
distance from the coast, in areas falling under the regime
management of specially protected areas on the high
of the Exclusive Economic Zone or the high seas.
seas. There is currently no single treaty that can be
Integrated coastal area management, considered a
used to identify and protect all vulnerable ecosystems
useful tool in addressing problems in coastal areas, can
beyond national jurisdiction in an integrated manner.
be extended to cover an international dimension in the
Such a treaty could be a useful addition to, and an
special context of some regional seas, such as the 2001
instrument for the enhancement of, the present body of
Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine
rules relating to the law of the sea.
Environment and the Coastal Region of the
Mediterranean.
Marea Hatziolos, Senior Coastal and Marine Specialist,
Environment Department, World Bank, spoke about a
Regarding vulnerable ecosystems located beyond the
World Bank-GEF program in preparation to support
limits of the territorial sea, Mr. Scovazzi mentioned that
Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Coral Reef
nothing should prevent concerned states from
Ecosystem Management. This initiative seeks to
establishing marine protected areas around them as a
address the critical gaps in our scientific understanding
fulfillment of the obligation set forth by Art. 194, para. 5,
of factors determining vulnerability and resilience of
of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which
coral reef ecosystems to a range of stressors such as
provides that measures taken to protect and preserve
those related to climate change, diseases, increasing
the environment shall "include those necessary to
surface temperatures, more intense and frequent
protect and preserve rare or fragile ecosystems as well
storms, and local and human stressors such as
as the habitat of depleted, threatened or endangered
eutrophication from both nutrient run-off and
species and other forms of marine life," regardless of
sedimentation, and overfishing. The program will seek
their location. He described the Protocol Concerning
to link the knowledge generated from this program to
Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in
improving management and conservation policies
the Mediterranean, which is designed to protect highly
globally.
migratory marine species that do not respect artificially
drawn boundaries and provides for the establishment of
This initiative is envisioned as a long-term 15-year
a list of specially protected areas of Mediterranean
program in three phases of five years each to build the
interest (SPAMI). All the parties to the Mediteranean
foundation for science-based management and
Protocol will be obliged to "recognize the particular
informed policies. It will follow a regional approach that
importance of these areas for the Mediterranean" and
will facilitate the creation of networks of scientists in
also to "comply with the measures applicable to the
developed and developing countries, and of
SPAMIs and not to authorize nor undertake any
multidisciplinary research teams that could effectively
activities that might be contrary to the objectives for
bridge all the disciplines necessary to answer the
which the SPAMIs were established." This provision
program's key questions. The program will have the
gives to the SPAMIs and to the measures adopted for
following overall elements: 1) addressing knowledge
their protection, an erga omnes partes (multilateral)
and technology gaps; 2) linking scientific knowledge to
effect.
management; and 3) promoting learning and capacity
building to create a solid foundation for science-based
When a treaty establishes a protected area beyond the
management and informed policy decision making.
limit of the territorial sea, there is the question of
whether the protection measures agreed upon by the
The program will cover four regions 1) the Western
parties are applicable to non-parties arises. Mr. Scovazzi
Caribbean and the Meso-American barrier reef region;
put forward three considerations to address this
2) the Western Indian Ocean; 3) Southeast Asia; and 4)
question: a) Every state is already under an obligation
the Great Barrier Reef and the Western Pacific and
arising from customary international law and as
Melanesia. Each region will have a node or Center of
15

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REPORT ON EVENTS
Excellence, which will have satellite sites that would
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON
reach out to existing government environment facilities,
other management activities such as marine protected
INTEGRATING MPA
area initiatives, NGO initiatives involving local
communities, and other kinds of ongoing management
MANAGEMENT WITH COASTAL
activities that are still lacking the basic scientific
information needed to make policy interventions much
AND OCEAN GOVERNANCE:
more effective.
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
A major study to identify the most appropriate
institutional arrangements and flow of funds for the
On July 12-14, 2003, the World Commission on
program is currently underway. A group of executing
Protected Areas (WCPA) Marine, of the International
entities in the field will carry out the research, under the
Conservation Union (IUCN), in collaboration with the
technical direction of a Synthesis Panel composed of
U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
the chairs of the six working groups plus four
(NOAA), National Ocean Service, International Program
internationally recognized experts. This field research
Office (NOS/IP) convened a group of experts in
group will also operate under the management direction
Baltimore for the international workshop on Linking
of a global implementing agency, responsible for overall
Marine Protected Areas to Integrated Coastal and
administration of the project. The six working groups
Ocean Management. The workshop initiated a process
represent six key areas that were determined as a result
to identify a preliminary draft set of principles and
of broad consultation with the scientific and
guidelines for integrating marine protected area
management communities as to the critical gaps in our
management into integrated coastal management.
understanding of coral reef vulnerability and resilience.
The thematic areas are: 1) Coral bleaching and local
The workshop was organized around four major
ecological responses; 2) coral diseases; 3) Large-scale
dimensions: (a) recognizing the ecological and
ecological processes, recruitment and connectivity; 4)
socioeconomic linkages between MPAs and the
Coral restoration and remediation; 5) Remote sensing;
surrounding coastal and marine environment; (b)
and 6) Modeling and decision support. (The latter
ensuring awareness of, and political support for, the
includes analysis of socioeconomic interactions with
role played by MPAs in the coastal area; (c)
biophysical elements of the reef ecosystem, how these
implementing and enhancing specific approaches and
affect ecosystem resilience and the sustainability of
tools for managing MPAs in the coastal zone; and (d)
goods and services on which coastal communities
addressing the management of MPAs through a more
depend.)
strategic and comprehensive approach in the context of
integrated ocean and coastal management. Following
This initiative will be monitored for its effectiveness
the results of the workshop, the secretariat is preparing
using a series of performance indicators including
a draft of the principles and guidelines that will be
interdisciplinary collaboration, creating partnerships to
further discussed at the 5th World Parks Congress in
sustain research, ensuring that the knowledge resulting
Durban, South Africa, September 8-17 (see
from the researcher actually gets fed into policy, and
announcement on p.18).
evidence that the knowledge and the tools are
developed as a result of the research program.
For more information, see the workshop website at:
http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/cz03workshop/
For more information about the project, please consult
www.gefcoral.org.
(Prepared by Stefano Belfiore, Center for the Study of
Marine Policy, and NOAA International Program
(Prepared by Miriam Balgos, Center for the Study of
Office)
Marine Policy)
16

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ARTICLE
Editors' Note: This article is an extract from a paper which is the first in a series that aims to contribute to the deliberations
leading up to the International Meeting to Review Implementation of the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. The full document will be distributed in the next issue of this
newsletter. Comments on the article are welcome and may be sent to sbelf@udel.edu. Work on the series has been funded by the
UNEP/GPA Programme and has been carried out through the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands. Many thanks are
due to Dr.Veerle Vandeweerd, co-chair, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, for organizing this initiative.
VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES FROM THE 2002 WORLD
SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL ISLAND
DEVELOPING STATES
Prepared by Stefano Belfiore, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands,
and Center for the Study of Marine Policy, University of Delaware
Purpose of the Paper
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation are a major
outcome of the World Summit. These partnership
This paper considers the potential contributions of the
initiatives consist of a series of commitments and
voluntary Partnerships initiatives emanating from the
action-oriented coalitions focused on deliverables and
2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development
are intended to aid in translating political commitments
(WSSD) to the sustainable development of SIDS, and
into action. Though the partnership initiatives were not
specifically examines the extent to which and how the
negotiated at the WSSD in the same manner as the Plan
Partnership initiatives support the targets and timetables
of Implementation, they are an integral part of the
agreed to in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation,
WSSD and represent one way of translating the
the main action agenda produced at the World Summit.
negotiated commitments into action. The partnerships
The paper: 1) characterizes the initiatives in terms of
are new initiatives conceived specifically for the WSSD.
their geographical scope, projected time span,
The mechanisms governing the partnerships are
substantive coverage, and planned activities; 2)
established by the partners. The partnerships must
discusses the potential sustainability of the initiatives;
fulfill requirements in terms of targets, timetables,
and 3) suggests elements of a system to assess progress
monitoring arrangements, coordination and
in the implementation of partnership initiatives and of
implementation mechanisms, and arrangements for
the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
predictable funding and technology transfer.
Partnership initiatives are formally reviewed by and
It should be noted that this analysis is based on data on
registered with the WSSD Secretariat. Initiatives that do
the Partnership initiatives posted on the WSSD website
not address all of the requirements noted above are not
(United Nations Division for Sustainable Development.
accepted by the Secretariat. More than 200 multi-
[2003a]. http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/partnerships/
stakeholder partnership initiatives were launched during
[May 31, 2003]) as of May 31, 2003. At the moment of
the WSSD process.
writing, updates reporting progress since the conclusion
of the World Summit (August 26 to September 4, 2002)
The partnership initiatives are intended to contribute to
were only available for a limited number of partnerships.
the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the
Given the short time elapsed since the WSSD, progress
Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the
generally refers to coordination meetings and, in some
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation by involving
cases, to exploration of funding opportunities.
different types of stakeholders. This paper examines the
extent to which the partnership initiatives address the
Voluntary Partnerships at the WSSD
issues contained in the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation, their geographical coverage and scale,
A number of partnership initiatives to strengthen
time span, lead organization and partnership
implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the
composition, specific activities planned, linkages with
Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the
other ongoing activities, and investment and sources of
funding.
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SIDS AND WSSD PARTNERSHIPS
Belfiore (continued)
Review of the Barbados Programme of Action
In terms of the geographical coverage, the majority of
partnerships pertain to the Asia-Pacific region. With
The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation calls for
almost the same number of SIDS, the Latin America and
undertaking a full and comprehensive review of the
Caribbean region has fewer than one-fifth of the
implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for
initiatives present in the Asia-Pacific region. No
the Sustainable Development of Small Island States in
initiatives cover the Western and Central Africa region.
2004 (BPoA), which was adopted at the Global
Conference on Sustainable Development of Small Island
The majority of the partnerships have been proposed by
Developing States, convened in Barbados in 1994. The
intergovernmental organizations or governments, with
BPoA sets forth specific actions and measures to be
fewer proposals put forward by nongovernmental
taken at the national, regional and international levels in
organizations. For some of the partnerships, the lead
support of the sustainable development of SIDS.
agency is still to be defined. The composition of the
partnerships is generally mixed, with participation from
Voluntary Partnerships Related to SIDS
different types of organizations, but with limited
presence of the private sector.
Of the existing partnership initiatives, 31 partnerships
are most relevant to SIDS:
At the current stage of development, the financial
viability and sustainability of some of the partnership
·
Sustainable development of SIDS: 17
initiatives presented at Johannesburg are in the process
·
Oceans, coastal areas and fisheries: 7
of definition and positive development both in terms of
·
Biodiversity and ecosystem management: 1
programs of implementation, funding, and inter-regional
·
Climate change and air pollution: 1
networking as have just been reported at the Regional
·
Early warning/disaster preparedness: 1
Preparatory Meeting of Pacific SIDS (Apia, Samoa,
·
Sustainable development initiatives for Africa: 1
August 4-8, 2003). The availability of adequate funding,
·
3 other activities and processes to initiate
the definition of financial arrangements, and the
partnerships are currently under way
participation of the private sector, all are factors likely to
·
Total: 31
determine the success of the partnerships, which make it
important to closely observe the further development of
The partnership initiatives have been analyzed in terms
the initiatives. Additional sources of funding might
of their contribution to the objectives of the
have to be sought to support actions in the focal areas
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation for SIDS and in
most addressed by the partnership initiatives: natural
terms of:
hazards, coastal areas and fisheries, biodiversity, and
wastes.
·
Geographical scope
·
Time span
The challenge of the contribution of the partnership
·
Leads and partnership
initiatives to the priority issues of the Johannesburg
·
Specific activities
Plan of Implementation and to the broader goals of the
·
Linkages with existing initiatives
Barbados Plan of Action lies in their actual
·
Investment and sources of funding
implementation. A specific and adequate monitoring and
·
Potential sustainability
reporting system might have to be devised in order to
track the implementation of the partnerships. The
Conclusions
questionnaire developed for the Barbados +10 process
addresses WSSD partnership initiatives in the context
Overall, the partnership initiatives launched at the
of the implementation of the Millennium Development
WSSD that are relevant to SIDS seem to address in a
Goals and can provide a useful context within which to
direct and complete way the issues included in the
monitor progress in the implementation of partnership
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation both in terms of
initiatives. Occasions for exchange of ideas and
the broad policy processes involved in sustainable
experiences, as well as for the promotion of partnerships
development and sectoral issues. The issues receiving
among potential donors, will also have to be organized.
most attention are management of coastal areas and
In this perspective, the partnership fair organized at
fisheries, hazards, biodiversity and wastes.
CSD-11 appears to be a promising approach.
18

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
ON THE ROAD TO MAURITIUS
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
2004
c/o Permanent Mission of Mauritius to the United Nations
Tel: (1-212) 949-0190
Fax: (1-212) 697-3829
In 2000, at the United Nations Millennium Summit, world
E-mail: mauritius@un.int
leaders resolved to address the vulnerabilities faced by
small island developing States "rapidly and in full" by
2015. At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, these
NEW NEW ZEALAND MINISTRY OF
concerns were highlighted and resulted in several
partnerships to address the specific needs of small islands.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS WEBSITE
In a follow-up to WSSD, the United Nations General
Assembly adopted Resolution (A/57/262), inter alia, and
called for a 10-year comprehensive review of the Barbados
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has
Program of Action at a high-level international meeting, to
recently uploaded a new website (http://
be held in Mauritius in August 2004. A number of regional
www.mft.govt.nz/index.html) that provides information
and inter-regional meetings will be held to provide an
about New Zealand's international relations. Among
opportunity for island nations and their partners to review
other trade and policy information on the website are
progress and challenges and to begin talks on what can
news on current developments in international law
be achieved in Mauritius. Following is a schedule of the
(http://www.mft.govt.nz/support/legal/default.html)
preparatory process leading up to the Mauritius meeting.
such as information on New Zealand's continental
shelf, International Rule Making, UN Convention on the
Regional Preparatory Meetings
Law of the Sea, Disputes Index, Treaties, Treaty
Pacific SIDS: Apia, Samoa ­ August 4-8, 2003
Register and Treaty Making Process, Multilateral/
Caribbean SIDS: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago ­
Bilateral Treaties under Negotiation/Consideration, and
October 6-9, 2003
the 11th Annual Meeting of the Australian and New
Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China
Zealand Society for International Law (ANZSIL) held in
Seas SIDS: Praia, Cape Verde ­ September 1-5, 2003
Wellington on 4-6 July 2003.
Inter-regional Preparatory Meeting
Under its Disputes Index, the website provides
All SIDS: Nassau, Bahamas ­ January 26-30, 2004
information on the dispute between New Zealand and
United Nations Commission on Sustainable
Japan concerning Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT). It
Development 12th Session
includes technical information about the SBT species
All UN Members States: UN Headquarters, New York ­
and experimental fishing by Japan, as well as overviews
April 19-30, 2004
of the 1999 International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
(Small Island Developing States Preparatory Committee
(ITLOS) Order on Provisional Measures, the 2000
­ April 14-16, 2004)
Arbitral Tribunal Award on Jurisdiction and
Admissibility, and ensuing measures undertaken with
For more information, please see www.sidsnet.org, or
the Award's guidance by the Commission on
contact:
Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT), which
led to resolution of the dispute to the satisfaction of all
Secretariat for Mauritius 2004
the Parties (http://www.mft.govt.nz/support/legal/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
disputes/disputeontuna.html). This Award's impacts on
(UN DESA), Division for Sustainable Development
the ultimately successful resolution of the dispute are
Tel: (1-212) 963-8563; Fax: (1-212) 963-4340
appraised in the comments of New Zealand consultant
E-mail: Mauritius2004@sidsnet.org
and CCSBT Chairman William R. Mansfield
(http://www.mft.govt.nz/support/legal/disputes/
Office of the High Representative for the Least
seapol.html) regarding a paper on "The Southern
Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries
Bluefin Tuna Arbitration" written by Professor Barbara
and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS)
Kwiatkowska of the Netherlands Institute for the Law
Tel: (1-212) 963-9470/7778/5051; Fax: (1-212) 963-0419
of the Sea (NILOS) (for an updated version of Professor
E-mail: OHRLLS-UNHQ@un.org
Kwiatkowska's paper, go to the NILOS website at
Website: www.un.org/ohrlls
<http://www.law.uu.nl/nilos> Publications - Papers).
19

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Texts of the Southern Bluefin Tuna Award (39 ILM 1359
finance MPA networks; 6) Integrating MPA
(2000); 119 ILR 508) and its written and oral pleadings
management with coastal and ocean management; 7)
are also available at the International Centre for
The role of MPAs in sustainable fisheries; 8) MPAs ­
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) website
The next 20 years and beyond: incorporating resilience
(http://www.worldbank.org/icsid/bluefintuna/main.htm),
into MPA design and management; and 9) Application
while all Arbitrators and Agents/Counsel are listed and
of MPAs in sustaining the world's Large Marine
featured in 17 ICSID News 2000/1 (http://
Ecosystem. A variety of outputs are expected from the
www.worldbank.org/icsid/news/n-17-1-3.htm).
marine theme, including findings, recommendations and
guidelines to better manage MPAs. The primary
contacts for the marine theme are Charles Ehler, Director,
NOAA International Programs Office, and Vice-Chair for
IUCN VTH WORLD PARKS
Marine, WCPA, and Peter Cochrane, National Parks
Director of Environment Australia.
CONGRESS
The IUCN Vth World Congress on Protected Areas
(http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/wpc2003/), an event
DEEP SEA 2003
conducted every 10 years, provides the major global
forum for setting the agenda for protected areas. The
Congress offers a unique opportunity to take stock of
Deep Sea 2003 is a forum for experts to discuss and
protected areas; provide an honest appraisal of
debate issues relating to the information
progress and setbacks; and chart the course for
required for management decision making and the types
protected areas over the next decade and beyond.
of management and governance concepts that may be
useful in deep-sea areas. The key stimulus for the
The Vth IUCN World Parks Congress will be held in
conference is the rapid expansion of fishing operations
Durban, South Africa, on September 8-17, 2003. Both
into the deep sea. The outcomes of the conference are
Patrons of the Congress, former South African President
to be reported to the FAO Committee on Fisheries at its
and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mr. Nelson Mandela and
26th meeting in February 2005.
Her Majesty Queen Noor strongly endorse the theme of
the Congress, "Benefits Beyond Boundaries." The Vth
The conference is to be held in Queenstown, New
IUCN World Parks Congress is organized by IUCN ­
Zealand from 1 - 5 December 2003. Information on the
The World Conservation Union, its World Commission
conference is available from http://
on Protected Areas (WCPA), South African National
www.deepsea.govt.nz.
Parks and the Government of South Africa.
One of the cross-cutting themes of the Congress is
Marine, which will be covered in workshop sessions to
be held on September 11-13, 2003. The sessions will
Erratum: The International Ocean Institute (IOI)
address various topics that include: 1) Strategies and
was a convening organization of the 3rd World
tools for regional and national approaches to building
Water Forum session on Dialogue between the
comprehensive MPA networks; 2) Protecting marine
Ocean and Fresh Water Communities, which was not
biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction; 3) Benefits of
mentioned in the article on Linking Freshwater to
MPA networks for fisheries and endangered species:
Coastal Management at the World Water Forum
experiences and innovation in scaling up to build
(Global Forum Newsletter 1(2):11-12). Our apologies
networks; 4) Assessing management effectiveness in
to IOI.
MPA; 5) Building a diverse portfolio to sustainably
20

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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
Development (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 bimonthly 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 www.globaloceans.org.
Potential contributors are kindly requested to follow the schedule noted below. Submissions will be
evaluated by an editorial committee. Please note that some submissions may not be accepted due to
appropriateness, timeliness, and space considerations.
Contributions to the Newsletter should be sent to Dr. Miriam Balgos, Center for the Study of Marine
Policy, mbalgos@udel.edu, two weeks before each of the following publication dates:
Issue 4: September 15, 2003
Issue 5: November 1, 2003 (with final program for Global Conference)
Issue 6: December 15, 2003
The Global Forum Newsletter is prepared at the Center for the Study of Marine Policy (CSMP) 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, Catherine Johnston
(U.S.), Isabel Torres de Noronha (Portugal), Bernice McLean (South Africa), Danielle Tesch (U.S.),
Meredith Blaydes (U.S.), Stefano Belfiore (Italy), and Jorge Gutierrez (Mexico). Funding and other
forms of support are provided by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission/UNESCO, UNEP/
GPA Coordination Office, International Program Office/National Ocean Service, NOAA, the World
Bank, and the Center for the Study of 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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