Global Conference On Oceans Ecosystem Management And Climate Changeff

The Fourth Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, “Advancing Ecosystem Management and Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management by 2010 in the Context of Climate Change” (Fourth Global Conference) hosted by the Government of Viet Nam, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, took place in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from 8-11 April 2008.

The Fourth Global Conference was organized by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, which was created by an informal World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) coordinating group in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002. Comprised of individuals from governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Global Forum serves as a platform for cross-sectoral information sharing and dialogue on issues affecting oceans, coasts and islands, with the goal of achieving sustainable development in these areas.

The event brought together over 430 participants from 71 countries representing governments, UN and other international agencies, NGOs, industry, oceans donors, organized science groups, and networks of museums and aquaria. The Fourth Global Conference provided a review of progress, or lack thereof, in attaining the goals adopted by the world’s political leaders at the 2002 WSSD relating to oceans management and conservation in the context of climate change.

During the Conference, participants heard presentations by high-level officials and engaged in topical panels and discussion sessions on three major themes, namely: achieving ecosystem management and integrated coastal and ocean management by 2010; climate, oceans, and security: addressing impacts in vulnerable ecosystems and in vulnerable coastal communities, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS); and the governance of marine ecosystems and uses in areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

Outcomes from the Fourth Global Conference include: a Co-Chairs’ report containing a summary of the proceedings from the various panel sessions, discussion sessions and roundtables; summaries of the policy briefs presented; and recommendations. These outcomes will be presented at the ninth session of the UN Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea in New York, US, scheduled to take place from 23-27 June 2008. The specific recommendations will be considered at the World Ocean Conference in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, from 11-15 May 2009, organized by the Government of Indonesia in collaboration with the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, and other international partners.

Throughout the Conference, participants actively engaged in the plenary and discussion sessions. While there was a sense of urgency, most shared a positive outlook given the opportunities for information sharing, collaboration, and networking in and outside the meeting rooms.

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE: SUSTAINABILITY AND GOVERNANCE: This panel was held on Wednesday morning and co-chaired by: Rebecca Lent, Director, Office of International Affairs, US National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Nguyen Chu Hoi; and Le Thanh Luu, Director of Research Institute for Aquaculture, Viet Nam.

Lent introduced the four main themes addressed by the fisheries and governance working group, namely: regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) reform; illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; overcapacity in fishing; and sustainable aquaculture. She highlighted the impacts of climate change on fisheries, particularly on small-scale fishing, and stressed the need for more flexible measures.

Panel Co-Chair Nguyen Chu Hoi outlined the main fisheries management challenges in Viet Nam, including: an unmanaged number of fishing boats; overexploitation in coastal waters; and increasing numbers of fishermen. He suggested solutions such as creating a community-based management system, applying responsible fishing techniques, and developing marine conservation parks.

Kilus Nguvauva, Deputy-Minister, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia, discussed access agreements between developing countries and distant and neighboring nations, and the private sector. While he noted that the agreements can be valuable, he raised concerns regarding equity, the environment, competition with local fisheries, food security and trade. He encouraged creating a platform for discussion and identifying best practices.

Chris Tompkins, Independent Consultant, UK, called for several RFMO reforms, including: modernization of mandates; cooperation among RFMOs and with other regional bodies; transparency; emphasis on equity and openness to new countries; adoption of UN Fish Stocks Agreement principles; and performance assessments. He highlighted a Chatham House report entitled “Recommended Best Practices for RFMOs.”

Lori Ridgeway, Director-General, International Policy and Integration, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, outlined the challenges facing tuna stocks, such as: weak conservation and management measures; IUU fishing; access and allocation issues; by-catch; institutionalized over-fishing; and data collection and sharing. She called for accelerated progress and suggested that failure to conserve tuna would translate to a credibility loss for the fisheries governance system.

Moritaka Hayashi, Ocean Policy Research Foundation, Japan, and former Assistant Director-General, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), welcomed the increasing link between RFMOs and global institutions, such as the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the FAO’s Committee on Fisheries. He stressed the need for more effective management of RFMOs with periodic reviews of their performance.

In the ensuing discussion moderated by Rebecca Metzner, FAO, participants addressed the costs of management and enforcement, the need for improving the science-policy interface within RFMOs, and the replicability of RFMOs’ success stories. One participant stressed the need for RFMOs to collaborate with regional economic organizations.