For an Effective and Sustainable Ocean Governance

IUCN Position Paper
For an Effective and Sustainable Ocean
Governance
Rio+20, United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20 - 22 June 2012
Summary of main recommendations:
IUCN calls on all Governments meeting in the Rio+20 Conference to engage in
sustainable ocean management by:
 Supporting investment mechanisms, such as the Global Environment Facility
(GEF), for marine environmental research with the aim of identifying key
biodiversity areas (KBAs), as well as Ecologically and Biologically significant
areas (EBSAs);
 Establishing appropriate mechanisms that ensuring fair and equitable access to
and sharing of living marine resources;
 Integrating the issue of conservation of the oceans into climate change response
policies based on natural solutions, in particular with carbon credit bonuses
when CO2 sequestration contributes to restoring marine ecosystems, enhancing
biodiversity and preserving local communities’ natural resources;
 Effectively fulfilling Target 11 of the Aichi Targets of the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CDB), i.e. 10% of marine protected areas, including areas beyond
national jurisdiction;
 Encouraging and supporting work towards integrated coastal management and
ecosystem-based marine environment management under mechanisms such as
UNEP Regional Seas Programmes;
 Improving governance of fishery by cutting harmful subsidies that contribute to
fishing overcapacity; fighting against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU)
fishing, and implementing FAO Agreements on illegal fishing;
 Launching negotiations on an implementation agreement relating to the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and concerning marine
Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), aiming at marine biodiversity
conservation and sustainable use; and
 Increasing and speeding up efforts to integrate biodiversity governance systems
and governance systems of economic activities that depend on or affect
biodiversity, including support to efforts made at the United Nations General
Assembly level.
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
For more information, please
contact:
Christophe Lefebvre
IUCN Global Ocean Focal
Councillor / International Affairs
Delegate, French MPA Agency
16 Quai de la Douane
29200 Brest, France
Tel: +33 6 87 90 73 66
[email protected]
François Simard
Advisor on Fisheries and
Maritime Affairs
Global Marine Programme IUCN
Rue Mauverney 28
1196 Gland, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0000
[email protected]
Cyriaque N. Sendashonga
Global Director
Policy and Programme Group
IUCN
28 rue Mauverney
CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0317
[email protected]
Constanza Martinez
Senior Policy Officer
Global Policy Unit
IUCN
28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196
Gland, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0254
[email protected]
Igor Cardellini
Policy Trainee
IUCN
28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196
Gland, Switzerland
[email protected]
IUCN World Headquarters
Rue Mauverney 28
1196 Gland
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0000
Fax: +41 22 999 0002
[email protected]
www.iucn.org

Introduction
Oceans harbour a large part of the planet’s
biodiversity. And, given their volume, they
account for a substantial portion of the space
available for life on Earth. Oceans influence
climate, govern planet’s chemistry, release 70%
of the oxygen in the atmosphere, absorb more
carbon dioxide than any other area and are the
Earth’s ultimate fresh water reservoir via cloud
formation. Any ocean imbalance will impact
humankind.
The
uniqueness
of
marine
biodiversity and ocean ecosystems –
the importance of research
Current estimates point to approximately
250,000 known marine species, but IUCN
estimates that there could be 500,000 to 100
million species living on the seabed. The fact
that the range is so wide shows a significant
knowledge gap and indicates that the number of
endangered species in marine areas is probably
much higher than known and published data
suggest. IUCN uses feedback from its Member
and expert network to regularly update the
planet’s policymakers on the status of
biodiversity worldwide and on the level of
protection provided by Governments. Its Red
List of Threatened Species, which is published
on a regular basis, provides a recurring reminder
of the extent to which sea life is constantly
deteriorating. More than 100 sea fish species,
including a large number of commercial species,
are currently on the Red List. For instance, IUCN
has reported that 17% of the world’s shark and
ray species are threatened due to overfishing.
With regards to sea birds, the planet’s 21
albatross species are now deemed globally
endangered. This data is only a small fraction of
the vast evidence that is now available showing
a serious decline of marine biodiversity.
IUCN calls on governments to
support investment mechanisms for
marine environmental research, such
as the Global Environment Facility
(GEF), with the aim of identifying key
biodiversity areas (KBAs) and to list
ecologically
and
biologically
significant areas (EBSAs)
For an equitable access and sharing
of living marine resources
Marine living resources have a high economic
value.
We only started studying marine
resources with a view to using them to produce
medical substances and for biotechnological
purposes 20 years ago. At this point, a relatively
limited number of marine plants, animals and
microbes are being used to make an impressive
12,000+ new chemical products. Bio-marine
“prospecting” has only just begun but has
already revealed considerable potential to
produce
pharmaceutical
and
cosmetic
compounds that have proven extremely useful to
human health.
In addition, the sea has been feeding a
constantly growing human population for
thousands of years. This implies a regular
1
increase in per capita production . However,
beyond the economic wealth issues, marine
biodiversity conservation is not properly taken
into account as an option to substantially
contribute to food safety – especially, but not
only, for many coastal populations. And it is not
adequately taken into account as an opportunity
to provide essential livelihoods to some of the
planet’s poorest populations. These economic,
social and environmental issues of considerable
importance require governments to cooperate
towards the equitable sharing of marine
biological resources.

The identification and establishment of Key
Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and ecologically and
biologically significant marine areas EBSAs is of
critical importance in the efforts towards marine
biodiversity protection. Governments have an
important role to play in encouraging research in
this area of activity.
IUCN calls on Governments to
establish appropriate mechanisms
that ensure fair and equitable access
to and sharing of living marine
resources.
1
According to the FAO, more than 70% of the
world’s fish stocks are exploited to the limits or
overexploited.
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Position Paper on Oceans
Page 2
For a comprehensive restoration of
oceans
The ocean, which we once saw as an
inexhaustible reservoir, is now physically
declining. More than 10% of the coral reefs have
been destroyed and 60% are considered
2
threatened by human activities. Added to that
alarming figure, large estuaries are deteriorating
and more than 50% of mangroves – which are
essential coastal environments for sea life –
have disappeared. Crammed with pollution, the
ocean washes seas full of plastic, is becoming
saturated with carbon dioxide and suffers from
acidification. Land-based waste, especially from
cities, and polluted water from watersheds,
considerably impact and affect marine
environment and its ecosystems. The number of
marine dead areas is growing every year. These
elements are only a little part of the dangers
threatening oceans. Climate change accelerates
these negative impacts.
At the same time, the ocean constitutes an
important opportunity to mitigate climate change
as it absorbs the major part of carbon dioxide.
Governments must include the issue of
conservation of the ocean in current discussions
and policies on climate change, notably through
subsidizing credit carbon offset when CO2
sequestration actions contribute to restoration of
marine ecosystems and permit the increase of
biodiversity while preserving natural resources of
traditional communities.

IUCN calls on Governments to
integrate the issue of conservation of
oceans into climate change response
policies based on natural solutions.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are
an absolute top priority for marine
spatial planning
To address this emergency situation, a key
target is the establishment of MPAs as part of
marine spatial planning, with a view to protecting
sea living resources and enabling sustainable
2
Wilkinson CR (2002), Status of Coral Reefs of the
World: 2002. Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
and Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville,
Australia
use of fish resources. Oceans cover 70% of the
planet, but there are only 6,800 MPAs, spanning
only 1% of our oceans, in 2012. 80% of these
MPAs lack sufficient human and material
resources to implement effective management
and conservation actions, i.e. regulate activities,
reduce pollution, ensure supervision, and take in
and inform visitors. Only 2,500 of all MPAs are
strictly protected and harvesting is prohibited
therein (strict reserves).
This shows that currently many countries around
the world merely designate MPAs for the
announcement effect. This is obviously in
conflict with States’ commitments since the first
United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development in 1992, in particular with Rio
Agenda 21 Chapter 17 on the Protection of the
Oceans, All Kinds of Seas, Including Enclosed
and Semi-Enclosed Seas, and Coastal Areas, in
particular.
Despite these recommendations and the
commitments that States reasserted at the 2002
Johannesburg Summit, the number of MPAs is
not increasing fast enough (5% a year on
average, whereas it would have to increase 50%
a year to achieve set targets). At this pace, only
30% of the target will be achieved by the end of
st
the 21 century. Marine spatial planning needs
to integrate MPAs because these areas are
concurrently observatories to monitor oceans,
marine
wildlife
habitats,
educational
opportunities, fish stock replenishing areas and
ecosystem resilience areas. They play a key and
invaluable role ensuring food security (when the
resources they harbour are exploitable),
strengthening the foundations of many blue
economies, catering to people who use the sea
for recreational purposes, preserving and
passing on marine natural heritage, promoting
marine ecological connectivity and facilitating
living resource adaptation to the impacts of
ocean change. Properly managed MPAs serve
the ocean that provides in turn a multiplicity of
services, and protect its integrity. However, 10
maritime countries concentrate 80% of the
world’s MPAs, and spatial and geographic
concentration is a feature of MPAs. The
challenge is therefore to create a representative,
coherent and resilient MPA network on a global
scale. To this end, governments committed to
conserve marine biodiversity in 10% of coastal
and marine areas, by 2020, by establishing
ecologically representative and well connected
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Position Paper on Oceans
Page 3
systems of protected areas effectively and
equitably managed.

IUCN calls on Governments to
effectively fulfil Target 11 of the Aichi
Targets of the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CDB), i.e. 10% of
marine protected areas, including
areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Sea governance for an integrated
management of a Blue Economy
based
on
marine
ecosystem
resilience
a) Coastal governance
The ocean’s future is contingent upon an
ecosystem-based management that integrates
the protection of a comprehensive and coherent
network of marine areas. But that alone is not
enough. Protecting the sea also involves
governing the ocean collectively and on the
basis of an inter-sectoral approach as causes of
deterioration of marine ecosystems are multiple
and complex. For instance, at the city level,
processing waste before it reaches the sea, and
treating rainwater and wastewater in order to
discharge clean fresh water back into the ocean,
would protect its integrity and reduce coastal
erosion. These efforts would also result in the
return to the ocean of some of the water that no
longer reaches it, thereby depriving it of
essential mineral salts and sediments. Doing so
would also contribute to restoring life cycles.
Consequently, integrated coastal management
is of great importance in the efforts towards
protecting marine biodiversity. Action at the
regional level such as that carried out by the
UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme has a critical
role to play in this regard.
Illegal fishing is often associated with the
organized crime that is threatening sustainable
global fish stock management. States need to
allocate resources to fight against this type of
criminal activity, refuse to unload or import fish
caught illegally, and in particular implement the
FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to
Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported
and Unregulated Fishing. It is also necessary to
regulate destructive fishing practices – in
particular deep sea bed trawling, which severely
damages vulnerable marine ecosystems and
threatens high-sea fish stocks. Measures to
reduce by-catch, especially in the case of
vulnerable species, are also essential.
Traditional “selective” fishing strategies should
also be reviewed in order to enhance an
ecosystem-based
approach
to
species
3
assemblage and food chain management .
 IUCN calls on Governments to cut
harmful subsidies that contribute to
fishing overcapacity; fight against
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated
(IUU) fishing; and implement FAO
Agreements in order to provide the
right conditions for sustainable
fishing.
Fishery and biodiversity governance systems
are fragmented at practically every level, except
perhaps at the UN General Assembly. Despite
efforts to harmonize them over the past 40
years, convergence remains slow and
insufficient to jointly reverse the trends. This
institutional
fragmentation
–
and
the
misunderstandings and barriers it entails – will
prevent both governance systems from
achieving their goals.

 IUCN calls on governments to encourage
and support work towards integrated
coastal management and ecosystembased marine environment management
under mechanisms such as UNEP
Regional Seas Programmes.
IUCN urges Governments to increase
and
hasten
integration
efforts
between biodiversity governance
systems and governance systems of
economic activities that depend on or
affect biodiversity, including support
to efforts made at the United Nations
General Assembly level.
b) Governance of Fishery
The fishing economy is fragile and in danger.
250,000 tons of grouper are caught every year
(80% in Asia), thus endangering the species.
3
Cf. Selective Fishing and Balanced Harvest in
Relation to Fisheries and Ecosystem Sustainability.
http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/2011-001.pdf
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Position Paper on Oceans
Page 4
c) Governance of marine areas beyond
national jurisdictions
Beyond fishing, the new Blue Economy in the
world’s oceans is growing steadily because
nations are taking greater interest in the ocean’s
wealth – in waters under national jurisdiction and
in the high seas. Increasing raw-material prices
and technological progress are gradually making
it possible to exploit resources on and under the
seabed. Offshore oil and aggregate (sand and
gravel) exploitation has been cost-effective for a
long time. Now, however, offshore operations
have also stretched to encompass many raw
materials that have high market value. In order
to render exploitation of these resources
equitable and sustainable, marine areas beyond
national jurisdiction need to be regulated.
Government’s decisions on that matter should
allow conservation and sustainable use of
marine biological resources as well as access to
these resources and an equitable sharing of the
benefits of their exploitation.
Developing a cultural approach for a
worldwide Blue Society that supports
Blue Economy
The integration of a cultural approach to policies
and regulations of the use of oceans is essential.
The ocean is a global public good belonging to
humankind. The challenge is to engage the
common responsibility of States towards
conservation of oceans while taking into account
the needs and cultural specificities of the island
communities that populate it, and the behaviour
of the users and professionals that exploit it.
In the context of Blue Economy the sea’s
“economic players” need to become more
accountable
for
their
practices.
The
establishment by governments of incentives to
moves towards this direction is one of the keys
to sustainable ocean development and
conservation. Companies and professionals that
operate in the sea, whatever their size, need to
include
biodiversity
protection
in
their
environmental and social reporting, using ethical
and responsibility criteria. Economic valuation of
marine biodiversity facilitates the integration of
the biodiversity component into the social and
economic dimensions related to ocean
sustainable development. To this end,
Governments need to assess the financial value
of marine ecosystem services and integrate
marine biodiversity capital in oceans’ economic
and social wealth.

This link that can be called Oceankind
represents a new paradigm for preservation and
management of marine life with the view to
maintaining the ocean’s integrity. Efficient
restoration and conservation require sharing of
knowledge and cooperation between relevant
stakeholders. To this end, awareness raising
and education of all stakeholders are tools
offering the potential for reinforcing their sense
of common responsibility towards conservation
of oceans, for our today’s needs and for future
generations.
IUCN urges Governments to launch
negotiations on an implementation
agreement relating to the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS) and concerning
marine Areas Beyond National
Jurisdiction (ABNJ), aiming at marine
biodiversity
conservation
and
sustainable use.
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Position Paper on Oceans
Page 5