Designation of the First Ever Marine Protected Area in Pakistan
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Government
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#OceanAction40887
Description
Pakistan is a Party to CBD and shown commitment to implementation of SDGs. However, at present, there is not a single MPA established in Pakistans coastal waters. The Government of Pakistan with support from various federal and provincial government agencies, IUCN Pakistan and non-governmental organisations has initiated the process of establishment of MPAs in Pakistan.
The National Coordinating Body (NCB) of Mangroves for the Future Pakistan headed by the Ministry of Climate Change, Government Pakistan has led the process of initial identification of potential MPA sites in Pakistan, Astola Island, Churna Island, Minai Hor, Gwatar Bay and the Indus Swatch. The proposed MPA sites have been identified through a consultative process involving relevant stakeholders and based on their biodiversity and socioeconomic significance. The proposed sites support a variety of species of demersal fisheries, cetaceans (dolphins and whales), sea turtles, endemic reptiles, corals and mangroves. Unregulated and extractive human activities have threatened biodiversity resources of these sites. The objective of designation of the proposed sites as MPAs is to ensure effective protection and conservation of biodiversity resources and create livelihood benefits for dependent fisherfolk communities.
The MPAs would be notified under relevant government legislation and a co-management mechanism would be devised through a consultative process together with awareness raising and sensitisation of stakeholders and local communities on benefits of MPAs and their collaborative management.
The Government of Pakistan expresses its commitment to designate at least one site in Pakistans territorial waters as MPA by 2020. The proposed intervention will directly contribute to target 14.5 of SDGs and attainment of a resolution # 052 adopted at the World Conservation Congress 2016 calling for declaration of Astola Island as MPA in Pakistan. The proposed commitment will support designation of the first MPA in Pakistan and set the foundation of identification and designation of more MPA sites in Pakistan to meet its international obligations.
2. Fisheries Department, Government of Balochistan
3. Fisheries Department, Government of Sindh
4. Ministry of Defence, Government of Pakistan
5. Pakistan Navy
6. National Institute of Oceanography
7. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) / Mangroves for the Future Programme (MFF)
8. Indus Earth Trust
9. WWF Pakistan
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.4 | By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
| 14.5 | By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information |
| 14.a | Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
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Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan