Fisheries

HLPF Informals

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www.un.orgThe session was organized by the co-facilitators to get comments from member states and permanent observers of the United Nations, on the Ministerial Declaration for the 2016 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. Ambassador Gustavo, in his opening remarks, stated that this is the first to follow-up and implement the 2030Sustainable Development Agenda.

Ambassador Gustavo explained that the Ministerial Declaration, which was sent in a letter from the Co-facilitators to all permanent representatives and permanent observers on 13 June 2016 contain potential elements of the draft Ministerial Declaration.

Ambassador Gustavo further highlighted the importance of the “Global Sustainability Development Report” which was included in the Ministerial Declaration, stating that the scope of the report is one important component of the follow-up and review process for the 20130 Agenda on Sustainable Development and will inform the HLPF to make policy decisions to reduce poverty.

After the brief introductory statement, Ambassador Gustavo opened the floor to all permanent representatives and member states to comment on the HLPF Ministerial Declaration.

After comments from member states, Ambassador Gustavo opened the floor for other organizations or permanent observers to the United Nations to comment on the HLPF Ministerial Declaration.

The major call from the different organizations was the need for global partnerships at all levels to achieve the global sustainable development agenda.

Ambassador Gustavo ended the session by thanking all for the interventions and participation despite the short notice to prepare for this session. He handed over the floor to his Co-facilitator, Ambassador Gillian to give her final comments.

In her final words, Ambassador Gillian thanked everyone for their constructive work and that she looks forward to working with all on the HLPF.

Meeting: Informal consultations on the draft ministerial declaration of the high-level political forum on sustainable development for 2016, convened under the auspices of the Council, and the high-level segment of the 2016 session of the Council, convened by the co-facilitators (Australia and Peru).

Date/Time/Location: 16 June 2016/15:40 to 18:00/ Economic and Social Council Chamber

Speakers: Co-facilitators from Peru (Ambassador Gustavo) and Australia (Ambassador Gillian Bird), delegates member states, stakeholders and NGO representatives.

Reported by:   Fred Yonghabi

Green and Blue Growth: Protecting our Oceans and Ourselves

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During a meeting on Oceans Day, Professor Turley spoke about ocean acidification. Already, the ocean has absorbed 28% of atmospheric CO2 which is causing the pH of our water to decrease. By 2100, average increase in temperature of water will grow by +3.2C. Even with a CO2 target of 2 degrees, the ocean is still at a moderately high risk level. From the ocean’s perspective, the 2 degree target is more of an upper limit than an ideal goal.

Sir King stated that without further action after Paris, we are faced with risks from rising climate change and sea levels. Calcutta, New York, and Shanghai will not be livable if we continue to act as we are.

Dr. Jarraud said that the Philippines has 1.2 cm of sea level rise per year, much higher than global average. We need to develop risk service initiatives and strengthen ocean and atmosphere observation systems.

Dr. Semedo: Currently, fisheries support 10-12% of global population including many coastal communities. However, availability of modern fish is predicted to decrease by 40% in tropical countries. Her 3 priorities:

  1. Improve management and use of aquatic resources by implementing FAO code of conduct for responsible fishing.
  2. Develop well-planned and -managed sustainable agriculture.
  3. Strengthen resilience of fisheries and agriculture in coastal communities.

Ambassador Friday talked about investing in a blue economy. In the Caribbean, due to hurricanes, countries are experiencing a very high level of indebtedness. In Grenada, debt servicing is costing 40% of the operating budget every year. We need to get islands to where they have enough economic growth that they can adapt and invest in their own resilience. Grenada has come up with duplicatable investment ideas worth over 1 billion dollars, and wants to share them.

Addressing the Effects of Climate Change on Oceans and on Coastal and SIDS Populations: The Scientific Evidence, Scenarios, and Choices for Decisionmakers.

Dec 4, 2015, 12:05 – 1:00 PM, COP21, “Green Zone”, Le Bourget, Paris, France

Speakers: H.E. Dr. Angus Friday, Ambassador to the United States, Grenada; H.E. Ms. Yuriko Koike, Member, House of Representatives, Japan; Prof. Carol Turley, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK; Sir David King, Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, United Kingdom; Dr. Michel Jarraud, Secretary General, World Meteorological Organization; Dr. Helena Semedo, Deputy Director GEneral, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Dr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat; Prof. Hans Portner, Co-Chair, Working Group II (Impacts and Adaptation), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Professor, Marine Biology, Alfred Wegener Institute and University of Bremen

Written By: WIT Representative Alex Margolick

Fishing for Development

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fisheryToday a panel was convened to discuss the importance of developing and managing fisheries in achieving a successful Post-2015 Development Agenda. H.E. Mr. Sveinsson opened the dialogue by highlighting the four main areas of emphasis for the world’s living marine resources. These areas include protecting the marine environment from pollution and other environmental concerns, responsibly managing fisheries through the elimination of subsidies and illegal fishing, increasing economic benefits to decrease poverty, and supporting capacity building in less developed countries to allow for better resource management.
Dr. Tómasson continued the panel by highlighting the importance of fisheries, focusing on their role in economic development, food security, and a healthy diet. About 10-12% of the world’s population depends on fisheries, aquaculture, and post-harvest production for their livelihoods. Furthermore, fish account for 30% of animal protein in the human diet, and also provide important nutritional components. Yet, many people in fishing communities suffer from malnutrition and poor health. Expounding these concerns, in last 30 years the number fishermen have more than tripled. This, coupled with an improvement in fishing technology, has led to the exploitation and unsustainable use of the marine capital. However, with improved management and better handling and processing of fish, fisheries have the potential to address these concerns- becoming a foundation for human well-being and economic growth.
Dr. Tómasson proceeded by turning his focus to the United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme and its importance in helping achieve sustainable use of fisheries. The Post-Graduates enrolled in this six-month program are trained in enhancing institutional and individual capacities to better support the sustainable use of living aquatic resources. These students, in tandem with supporting partners who provide global research based capacity building, are vital in providing the leadership necessary to increase the sustainability of fisheries all over the world.

 

Meeting Title: FISHING FOR DEVELOPMENT: How the Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources Can Impact The Post-2015 Development Agenda
Speakers: H.E. Mr. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs; Dr. Tumi Tómasson, Director of United Nations University Fisheries Training Programme; H.E. Ms. Gréta Gunnarsdóttir, Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations
Location: United Nations HQ, ECOSOC Chamber
Date: 7 July 2014
Written By WIT Representative: Zachary Halliday
Edited By WIT Representative: Marli Kasdan

Conservation and management tools, including area-based management and environmental impact assessments

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Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues  relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine  biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction

Workshop 2 entitled “Conservation and management tools, including area-based management and environmental impact assessments”

Panel 1: Key ecosystem functions and processes in areas beyond national jurisdiction

Panel 2: Impacts and challenges to marine biodiversity beyond areas of national

Jurisdiction

By Wayne Dean Doyle (05-06-2013)

Dr. G Soto, a marine Biologist opens the floor and speaks gives various examples in relation to the deep sea, reproduction, habitat and the current Eco system in general.

The deep sea, despite its ecological limit-ability continues to provide an income for many regions. The current trend of oil and gas drilling deep in the ocean bed is having an effect on these organisms and dramatically changing the reproductive traditions of various species, the omission of carbon dioxide from CO2 capture and storage is also damaging these habitats.

Waste absorption and detoxification when not carried out safely and adequately can cause havoc and is, as we speak. Planet regulating Ecosystem Functions should be paying a greater role. The United States questions the validity of the statements made by Dr. Soto in relation to dumping within the deep sea given the (International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (HNS), London, 1996

Edwin Nikilitschek Chile opens the second conference going in depth about common features of the deep sea fisheries, a quick decline in yields, high concentrations, and large initial captures. Below 500 m – slow growth, low fecundity, delayed maturity and low productivity. Degradation due to bottom trawling on biogenic habitats (corals and sponges) Ghost fishing continues to be a serious threat. There is a serious lack of very basic information such as, how many areas in the high seas are being depleted by humans?  What are the species and which are the most important and in need of protection in the future. Management and conservation strategies, learn from experience (CCMLR), successes and failures implementing the ecosystem and precautionary approaches

Professor Callum Roberts of the United Kingdom                                        

  • Human impacts on fisheries
  • Three way squeeze on fishing warming, acidification and over fishing.
  • The sea is heating up and as a result, nutrients sink to the bottom and dead bodies and faeces float to the top. As a result fewer results will be mixed and rise back to the top or mid section of the ocean.
  • Ocean acidification is becoming alarmingly high, 150 percent increase by 2100.
  • A new deal for the oceans, a vigour-enhancing, stress busting package.
  • More marine reserves, less fishing, using less destructive gear, but more catch, a moratorium on all high seas until fishing until we improve management institutions, an outright ban on fishing deeper than a half a mile down.

Jihyun Lee, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity also contributes to the presentation with very in-depth and statistic based material.