Earth is the only planet known to have
liquid water on its surface. It is also the only planet known to contain life.
The ocean gave birth to this life and constitutes over 90 percent of the Earth’s
habitable space. Earth is indeed an ocean planet.
Marine ecosystems are essential for the
biogeochemical cycles that sustain all life on earth. It is no exaggeration to
say that all of humanity depends on marine biodiversity. Moreover, hundreds of
millions of people rely directly on marine biodiversity for their well being and
livelihoods. But these vast ecosystems are under threat. The oceans are filling
with the wastes produced by human activities and impacting biodiversity. Marine
biodiversity suffers from overfishing and other unsustainable fishing
practices. The impacts of climate change and ocean acidification are growing.
These are grave threats but together we
have the power to protect the oceans, which is the theme of this year’s
observance.
At the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012, governments recognized that oceans,
seas and coastal areas form an integrated and essential component of the biosphere
and are critical to sustaining it. At Rio+20, governments also reaffirmed the
intrinsic value of biological diversity and its critical role in maintaining
ecosystems that provide essential services. They reaffirmed the importance of
area-based conservation measures for the protection of oceans, noting Aichi
Biodiversity Target 11 which calls for 10 per cent of coastal and marine
areas to be under protection by 2020.
The outcomes of Rio+20 that relate to
oceans were reflected at the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in October 2012, in Hyderabad,
India.
At COP 11, governments welcomed the
progress made since 2011 to describe ecologically or biologically significant
marine areas (EBSAs). Through a series of regional workshops with national and
international experts, drawing upon the best available scientific information,
up to 75% of world oceans including the marine areas beyond national
jurisdictions have already been reviewed and documented, with assessment of the
remaining areas underway. As decided by COP 11, the results of this work on
EBSAs were transmitted to the UN General Assembly and its relevant processes.
Other emerging concerns on marine
biodiversity were highlighted by COP 11, including the impacts of anthropogenic
underwater noise and marine debris. COP 11 also addressed issues of climate
change and marine biodiversity, with a call for further additional systematic
scientific review on the impacts of ocean acidification on marine and coastal
biodiversity and updates on work related to coral bleaching.
Perhaps more importantly, COP 11
provided governments with practical tools to address various threats to ocean
biodiversity. For example, the contracting Parties to the Convention were encouraged
to apply the annotated voluntary guidelines for consideration of biodiversity
in environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments in
marine and coastal areas, including areas beyond national jurisdiction. Further
work was also requested by the COP on marine spatial planning, so that such
planning framework can better assist Parties in applying the ecosystem approach and implementing
integrated marine and coastal management.
The complexities of marine ecosystems
show us that cross-sectoral cooperation is critical to move forward in
advancing our efforts toward implementation of the CBD and all agreements relevant
for the oceans. This is why governments called for close cooperation with
various relevant international and regional organizations. In particular
fisheries management bodies were invited to play a stronger role in addressing
the impacts of fisheries on biodiversity.
In order to effectively address this
urgent need for cross-sectoral partnerships and capacity development, the
Secretariat of the CBD has been coordinating the implementation of the Sustainable
Ocean Initiative involving various partners from UN and international
organizations, regional seas organizations, regional fisheries management
organizations, relevant national scientific institutions, local authorities,
and non-governmental organizations, that expressed their commitment toward the
Initiative’s mission.
As we celebrate World Oceans Day, let us
remember that together we have the power to protect the oceans. I believe our
concerted and cooperative efforts toward actions “on the ground” and in the
waters are the only option we have to conserve our ocean planet and the life
therein, so that they can continue to nurture life everywhere on Earth. Images by Michael Leveille
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